Antibody Testing

Antibody Testing should be carried out, now that reliable tests are available. Also now that it has been confirmed that people are immune for at least a year. People who have had the virus could then be identified and confirmed on a database. They could be issued with a Plastic card like a Concession or Saltire Card.

Why the contribution is important

Immune people, can work and go out more to help others. Proof would come from their card.

by EllaG on May 06, 2020 at 12:42AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.5
Based on: 36 votes

Comments

  • Posted by margarett May 06, 2020 at 01:44

    Not sure about card but definitely need more antibody testing, that will give a clearer picture of what percentage of the population have had the virus

  • Posted by Janmat1724 May 06, 2020 at 02:02

    I havechadc positive test with minor symptoms. I'm a caseworker. It would be helpful to know if I am immune and if I will not transmit viruscto anyone else.

  • Posted by Chrismollitt May 06, 2020 at 02:14

    The card system not really fraudulent cards could be issued b.y scammers but testing yes people will make money from cards and there are a lot of people who would use this to get out of staying in door and been able to return to normal sad fact of society we live in only have to read about house parties and groups gathering

  • Posted by amberbrown May 06, 2020 at 02:18

    People need to know if they have had this virus. Not knowing leaves people in a perpetual state of uncertainty which takes its toll on an individuals mental health as well as that of their family and friends. It would help the economy too in many respects (as discussed above) as well as providing more robust statistical evidence on the spread of the virus for the government.

  • Posted by OldDeuteronomy May 06, 2020 at 02:22

    Since when has reliable antibody testing been available? and from whence did you hear that one is then immune for at least a year?? Antibody testing would indeed be a great source although I believe this is yet to be rolled out?

  • Posted by Samof3 May 06, 2020 at 06:41

    people who knew they had it may become complacent and pass it on with less hand washing etc .

  • Posted by McGillm May 06, 2020 at 06:42

    Excellent idea I work in care and retail and have had mild symptoms after two of my patients died, it would be good to be tested especially as well as care work.. working in the supermarket where people are not being careful

  • Posted by Jacquelinelaw May 06, 2020 at 06:53

    Will we ALL be antibody tested ASAP? I work in retail and feel that even if restrictions are eased I would put my parents at risk if I was allowed to see them as I am with the general public all day

  • Posted by stagwoodwellbeing May 06, 2020 at 07:00

    Testing, testing, testing! Surely this has to be the way forward in order to get us out of lockdown

  • Posted by MrsMac May 06, 2020 at 07:22

    We news to know how many people think they have had this virus and testing would help to clarify how many would be immune to this.

  • Posted by Caroline2121 May 06, 2020 at 07:45

    Definatley need to start antibody testing as soon as possible

  • Posted by Lorna May 06, 2020 at 07:45

    At the moment it’s all guesswork about how many and who in the population has or has had Covid-19. Everyone needs to have the the antibody test and then those who come back negative need to be closely monitored to make sure they are identified as soon as they catch it. Testing is worth very little if it only applies to certain people. Anyone can catch the virus. Anyone can spread it. Anyone can die from it. Anyone may have it and not display symptoms. Everyone needs to be tested.

  • Posted by Rainbowbright May 06, 2020 at 07:50

    This would be useful but as we are still unsure of ongoing immunity it could give people a false sense of security

  • Posted by cus1903 May 06, 2020 at 08:04

    anything that isentifiesthoae that can get back to work and help rebuild the economy is a winner

  • Posted by karlasmith May 06, 2020 at 08:11

    More testing no should be done. If we don’t know who has it then they can’t self isolate.

  • Posted by Louisethomson20 May 06, 2020 at 08:15

    I m not sure immunity HAS been confirmed. But certainly wide spread anti body test has got to be part of the plan. Certainly better than a blanket rule that over 60s stay at home for example...

  • Posted by Heatherm May 06, 2020 at 08:45

    I believe we need to antibody test people to return to work. I work in school.
    If I tested positive for antibodies then this would allow me and others back to work in school full time supporting student and key worker children.
    Doing a covid test only means that you are covid free at the time of test!! U could still catch it 10 mins later in a shop.
    Antibodies test shows who is most likely to return to work.

  • Posted by Rachel_T1502 May 06, 2020 at 08:53

    Would this work in practice- there are different strains of the virus circulating and we don't know how long immunity lasts for,

  • Posted by Jeanie May 06, 2020 at 09:06

    Hasn't Edinburgh University developed a reliable antibody test? This should be rolled out asap.

    In humans the virus is less than a year old so we have no idea how long immunity lasts. Only time will tell. But we can only work that out with large scale testing.

  • Posted by kmsarratt May 07, 2020 at 11:03

    Our household went into self isolation before the lock-down. My daughter, although not tested, did attend Western General for an assessment due to a secondary bacterial infection after she showed symptoms again 3 weeks after her first symptoms, we started the isolation processes all over again on medical advice. Everyone with any kind of illness that causes a temperature and/or cough is self isolating even if they have already had the virus. We also have no real idea of the re-infection rate.

    This is the reason widespread testing for the antibodies is needed, we really have no idea how widespread the virus has been and, as a result, can only give a best guess approach.

  • Posted by BrendaRae May 07, 2020 at 17:31

    Antibody testing is important as many people may have had it but with either no or very slight symptoms and this would allow us to find out the spread of the virus within the population. It would also help with determining how probable it is to have herd immunity within the general population. The fact that many of the symptoms are similar to so many other illnesses means that people may have been self isolating several times over as different family members become ill and yet never have had coronavirus. It would also help alleviate some of the worry that people have been enduring and that alone would help us return to some sort of normality.

  • Posted by Shunty May 08, 2020 at 09:36

    Finding out how many people who have already had the virus would be invaluable information for the scientific community and for governments and the topic discussed a lot at the start of the lock down by Professor Chris Whitty. Now that antibody tests area available, the topic seems to have been dropped completely. Is there a scientific reason for this, or is it purely economic ?

  • Posted by WhyDoINeedAUserNameAgain May 08, 2020 at 15:51

    Antibody testing: yes
    Card: No

    Please tell us more about how antibody testing is needed now that it's 3 months too late and still nowhere in sight.
    People are getting into debt, they're unable to work, their health is deteriorating, they are having to stay in their homes all because you didn't prioritise testing when this started!

  • Posted by JLMBD May 09, 2020 at 13:59

    There is currently NO reliable antibody test according to scientists. And there is NO definite immunity either. Science is working to establish if people definitely develop immunity and how long for. It could be only for a matter of weeks. When there is a reliable test everyone should get it done. I am one of millions (probably) who has been told by the GP it was probably COVID19 but by the time a reliable antibody test was available I might no longer have any antibodies.
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