Start Tracing now!
We've been told that a Test, Trace, Isolate, Support system will be on the way soon but we need to get the number of infected people down first; being achieved by the 'lock-down'. We also need to increase the testing capacity hugely; currently it is embarrassingly low.
Testing capacity could be rapidly increased if the Scottish Government roped in our University Laboratories and those of our Biomedical Companies. Relying solely on NHS labs and the UK Lighthouse labs has resulted in our laughable test capacity.
In the meantime, why are we not starting on the Trace and Isolate parts of the process?
Every Local Authority already has people trained in Tracing; they're used for all kinds of Public Health situations. There are simply not enough of them to tackle this task. Have there been requests for volunteers? Despite the lack of any call-up, there are already people willing to be trained in Tracing skills. In Aberdeen there are 300 people willing to take part, in Fife, another group has 30+ people raring to go. How many more would make themselves known if the call went out?
Starting the Tracing process now would enable these recruits to be trained and the people they find could soak up the short-fall between our testing capacity and the actual number of tests being done. The tracing would 'ramp-up' as the testing capacity increased.
Why the contribution is important
TTI is the only safe way out of our current lock-down. Prof. Hugh Pennington even suggested that total elimination of the virus might be possible using TTI, during his evidence hearing with the Covid-19 Committee of MSPs.
Test, Trace and Isolate is a life and death issue for Scottish people; get the virus under control so we can end lockdown safely.
This isn't the time for waiting, get the TTI rolling. Start Tracing now and let testing catch up while we train a skilful group of tracer volunteers.
by PaulR on May 05, 2020 at 07:55PM
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