Accessible testing

Now that many countries are past the peak, would we be able to access more testing kits? It may seem a case of ' the horse has bolted, but a well organised testing scheme would have a two fold benefit 1. Creating a structure and procedure for future outbreaks and 2. Prevent a second spike

Why the contribution is important

1. Practise for future outbreaks
2. Avoid a second spike

by Momotweed on May 06, 2020 at 07:11PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.6
Based on: 19 votes

Comments

  • Posted by SteveJ73 May 06, 2020 at 19:16

    Agree, along with testing for antibodies.

  • Posted by ASpice May 06, 2020 at 19:28

    Agree testing needs to be more accessible and if you’re positive contact all the known people you’ve been in contact with

  • Posted by Colquhounr May 06, 2020 at 19:33

    The World Health Organisation says Test Test Test. They have more knowledge and experience than our scientists. Scotland appears to be significantly behind other countries with this ,even England. Countries with higher testing and tracking rates have lower death rates. Lockdown can't be removed until this is resolved.

  • Posted by theresasheldon May 06, 2020 at 19:35

    Vital to know patterns of transmission

  • Posted by Elizamxm May 06, 2020 at 19:54

    Agree with all previous comments but fear we are too late - virus has not been tracked or traced effectively UK wide.

  • Posted by AHunter May 06, 2020 at 20:13

    Testing is intrusive and has been shown to be unrelaible. I don't think we should be testing people without symptoms or illness - only sick people should get tested. It doesn't make any sense either, you could test negative in the morning, then need to what - test again every day to make sure you haven't picked it up in a supermarket queue or from opening a door? So from a practical point of view, I wouldn't test the healthy.

  • Posted by NicholaHepburn May 06, 2020 at 20:32

    Antibody testing for immunity is a must. Many people have no idea if they’ve had covid early on in the outbreak because testing was not available then.

  • Posted by Mick1519 May 06, 2020 at 20:44

    I am a registered nurse who has no access to testing unless symptomatic. As positive people can be unsymptomatic for up to 10 days I could inadvertently be passing on the virus to others. I need to be tested for my and others safety and reassurance.

  • Posted by Graumach May 06, 2020 at 21:27

    Performing a blanket test of everybody would provide vital data such as the extent of spread and the true mortality rate. That could inform decisions moving forward, but it also seems sensible to test for immunity as then we would know who would be safe to move around and who would need protection.

  • Posted by ElaineF May 07, 2020 at 08:29

    Lack of widely available testing has been a big weakness in govt strategy from the outset.
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