Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[drron]

So we provided welfare boosts to the unemployed last year, now provide RATs to concession card holders only? Seems like they’re pandering to a certain audience.

About the only decision that could be made with the media performance about free RAT tests. Why should TV presenters on million dollar plus contracts receive free RAT tests?

 

[N860CR]

About the only decision that could be made with the media performance about free RAT tests. Why should TV presenters on million dollar plus contracts receive free RAT tests?

I know… but those on welfare are probably those who need them least.

Paying for PCRs for intl travel while the remainder get them free, now paying for RATs for domestic travel while the remainder get them free. Somebody having to take time off work to line up for a PCR (or pay for a rat) while others get them free. This is the sort of conduct that started the Trump movement.

 

[stryker]

So we provided welfare boosts to the unemployed last year, now provide RATs to concession card holders only? Seems like they’re pandering to a certain audience.

What did you expect?

 

[N860CR]

What did you expect?

If they’re going to do it, free for all. Like we’ve done this far.

 

[Pushka]

So we provided welfare boosts to the unemployed last year, now provide RATs to concession card holders only? Seems like they’re pandering to a certain audience.

Well, the group are unlikely to ever vote for the current Government so it can't be put down to a vote winning strategy.

I can afford to buy them so if it means people who can't will get tested and isolate as required then it's a good outcome.

 

[OATEK]

I know… but those on welfare are probably those who need them least.

Paying for PCRs for intl travel while the remainder get them free, now paying for RATs for domestic travel while the remainder get them free. Somebody having to take time off work to line up for a PCR (or pay for a rat) while others get them free. This is the sort of conduct that started the Trump movement.

Perhaps hear the full announcement. States to end RAT tests for domestic. Lots of other changes, perhaps react to the full text.

 

[N860CR]

Perhaps hear the full announcement. States to end RAT tests for domestic. Lots of other changes, perhaps react to the full text.

Regardless, unsure why we’re handing out RATs to those who probably need them the least . It’ll just mean people who probably need to do them won’t.

 

[Pushka]

Regardless, unsure why we’re handing out RATs to those who probably need them the least . It’ll just mean people who probably need to do them won’t.

Don't know about other states but the lowest vaccination rates are in the areas of highest social need.

 

[N860CR]

Don't know about other states but the lowest vaccination rates are in the areas of highest social need.

Well, I guess they didn’t have easy access to vaccination. Oh wait.

 

[Pushka]

Well, I guess they didn’t have easy access to vaccination. Oh wait.

Moot point. We all have to wear the consequences. Whatever we think of the cause.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Well actually there is, because the clock starts ticking from the time of the PCR test, and not the RAT test. If you are involved with travel, or need to take leave from work etc, then the PCR is the "official" test for many.

I see a place for RAT tests, but they are limited in my view unless they are incorporated into the overall reporting system. As @Flashback mentioned, the UK ones have a QR code to upload the results. I have heard no similar plans here around that, although perhaps National Cabinet is in deep discussions as we speak. For now I view RATs as self protection rather than community protection.

I said for many, not for all.


As of this afternoon the PM has now announced that if you have a positive RATS that you no longer need to get a PCR. So the official policy has now changed to recognise that the existing testing system was not coping.

However many were already not bothering with a PCR, or could not access a PCR even if they wanted to.

More and more RATs will I believe become the test that is used.

 

[N860CR]

Moot point. We all have to wear the consequences. Whatever we think of the cause.

Correct. So time to stop pandering to them because it gets likes on Facebook.

 

[Pushka]

Correct. So time to stop pandering to them because it gets likes on Facebook.

Let’s tackle the issue. We need positive people to isolate. Let’s make that as easy as possible. PCR tests were free. What’s the difference.

 

[scaredeycat]

50 staff at the Royal Hobart Hospital have tested positive. Public Health state that these infections were acquired in the community, not at work. Multiple elective procedures have been postponed. Wards, ICU, Emergency and theatres were all short staffed before the border was opened. Numerous senior nurses left to go to vaccination and testing hubs.
There is only one public hospital supplying the southern half of the state.
Next door the private hospital has announced that there will no cardiac electrophysiological cases scheduled for at least a month (pacemakers, ablation procedures). I am sure other specialties will also be affected.
Yes, we can be very happy that we have low numbers of Covid patients in ICU, on ventilators. But what about all of the other work that had the system bulging at the seams prior to the pandemic?

 

[N860CR]

Let’s tackle the issue. We need positive people to isolate. Let’s make that as easy as possible. PCR tests were free. What’s the difference.

Ok. I’m not on welfare. I need a test. How do I get one?

 

[drron]

Regardless, unsure why we’re handing out RATs to those who probably need them the least . It’ll just mean people who probably need to do them won’t.

Actually they are the people who need them most. Around the world the worst mistake made has been not to protect the most vulnerable properly. They are now basically the only ones who need protection from Omicron. Those in Aged Care facilities would be eligible for the free RAT tests which they could use for family members to test before visiting. Many on pensions have friends in Aged care so very useful to test before visiting. and for these people it is not because of poor vaccination rates as all over 70 age groups are well over 90% vaccination rates despite being more likely on medical grounds to have an exemption.

As @Pushka says those covered by the low income support are in the groups that have had the highest number of infections.They are often those who have kept the well off in their comfortable isolation when working from home.

 

[Pushka]

Ok. I’m not on welfare. I need a test. How do I get one?

Well I managed to get RAT into SA while they were banned here so unless you live in SA you had the chance to buy them in a shop for a few weeks.

 

[stryker]

Ok. I’m not on welfare. I need a test. How do I get one?

You've stocked up on RAT's.

 

[N860CR]

Well I managed to get RAT into SA while they were banned here so unless you live in SA you had the chance to buy them in a shop for a few weeks.

Oh. So only I have had the oportunity to buy them?

You've stocked up on RAT's.

Have I?

 

[Quickstatus]

It’ll just mean people who probably need to do them won’t.

Actually the people who cant afford it tend to be the ones who need them the most.
PCR are free (bulkbilled) to all. Why not at least make RATS free to concession holders.

Basically if people cant afford RATS, they will just line up for a PCR.

Also concession holders often have to rely on public transport, often have medical comorbidities and are basically among the most vulnerable in the community. For them trying to go from pharmac_ to pharmac_ trying to find a RAT would be an imposition that for most would be too great.

The PBS operates along almost the same lines. concession and pensioner card holders have an entitlement to concessional benefits. Instead of paying up to $42, the concessional benefit discounts this to $6.80 at most.

In reality, why not just do tests for a reason
How about this:
(a) if symptomatic - isolate until asymptomatic, test unnecessary unless the symptoms mean you have to seek medical treatment
(b) if asymptomatic and a close contact then isolate for 7 days so long as still asymptomatic. Dont need to do a test
(c) only do a RAT if need to go back to work if (b) and within 7 day period.
(d) PCR reserved for those who present to hospital otherwise RAT