Wednesday 29 December 2021
A potentially alarming shortage of big numbers
COVID-19: PCR and lateral flow tests could 'run out' temporarily amid surge in demand, say health officials
The big rise in coronavirus cases has increased demand for tests and it appears the government is struggling to keep up.
Coronavirus tests could be temporarily unavailable to order due to "exceptionally high demand", the UK Health Security Agency has warned .
Demand is surging as the more transmissible Omicron variant pushes cases numbers to record levels.
Lateral flow and PCR tests were both unavailable for home delivery across the UK via the government website on Wednesday morning.
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Pardon my indifference . . . .
The CDC in the US apparently takes a different view of PCR tests according to whether the Prez in office is a Republican or a Dem.
https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/international-news/disease/cdc-admits-covid-tests-are-invalid/
https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/bombshell-admission-cdc-drops-post-isolation-pcr-test-because-they-can-remain-positive-12
The CDC in the US apparently takes a different view of PCR tests according to whether the Prez in office is a Republican or a Dem.
https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/international-news/disease/cdc-admits-covid-tests-are-invalid/
https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/bombshell-admission-cdc-drops-post-isolation-pcr-test-because-they-can-remain-positive-12
Exciting, isn't it!
First we were all going to die of a mystery Chinese virus. Then the economy was going to be wrecked by our necessary efforts to combat said virus. Then the NHS was going to be overwhelmed. Then the virus mutated so we were back to square one. Then the government was going to be brought down because they kept having parties when we were locked down. Then the blasted thing mutated again. And the NHS was threatened, not by patients dying, but by clerical and cleaning staff off sick. Now we might not have enough testing thingies.
The news is clearly being written by the same people who write soap operas. It's admirably inventive, but surely the planet-smashing asteroid is needed some time soon?
Ah, Sam, but is the shortage of tests due to our Rolls Royce civil service or our Envy of the World NHS?
They want to induce panic pre-ordering of test packs.
Nothing convinces people that they need something like a rumour of a shortage and possible rationing.
Future archaeologist will find this mysterious layer of blue fabric with elastic loops, and little white plastic rectangles with two depressions on one side.
Some will associate this with the strange tall pillars with spinning Mercedes symbols on top, built on sacred high ground with bones of sacrificed large birds scattered below. Apparently a failed attempt by an extinct society to keep the glaciers at bay.
Luckily, I went panic-buying lots of beer, scotch and wine before all this started, so testing isn't necessary for the forseeable future, as I refuse to go out to the shops...
Well, only to chat with the gorgeous ladies in Waitrose or Tesco, but clinches behind the frozen peas don't seem the same with a mask on! Luckily they've all tested negative, but a bit of isolation with one or two of them could be the antidote to all ills...
I'll have to ask Senora O'Blene if she minds all this!
That'll be the:
a) Lateral Flow Tests the US authorities have said are utterly useless and should be thrown in the garbage.
b) The PCR tests that the US authorities have admitted stay positive 12 weeks after recovery, do not differentiate between flu & coronavirus and are now not recognised as a valid test.
Hmmm
Jannie - there is a certain popcorn element though.
dearieme - thanks for the links - I'll bookmark them. The PCR test has always seemed dubious to me for a number of reasons. The cynic in me suggests it was adopted partly to generate big numbers.
Sam - I wonder if the numbers will still go up in spite of a lack of testing thingies?
Doonhamer - I recently saw an estimate of the number of masks produced. Such a colossal number that you are bound to be right about the geological impact. This era will be known as the Maskocene.
Scrobs - Co-op ladies aren't very chatty so best stick with Waitrose or Tesco.
Nessimmersion - but you won't hear that from the BBC.
My recent behaviour and purchasing patterns match those of Scrobs to a tee. There is something about those cooling cabinets on a hot day. We won't step on each others toes as I will stick to Morrisons and M&S.
Andy - should be okay if you avoid the Co-op.
"The big rise in coronavirus cases has increased demand for tests "
"The big rise in positive test results is largely an artefact of the enormous increase in the number of tests being carried out, which in turn has led to a shortage of test kits"
FTFY.
Anon - that's right. I don't understand why so many people are okay with being tested unless they think they have no choice. It pumps up the numbers.
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