Much cheaper than supporting people through hostpital care? That’s why they are already free and being encouraged.
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It gave me a sore, aching arm almost immediately. Next day it had spread around my shoulder. It’s a good thing - the muscles are producing the spike proteins that cause the immune system to respond.
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Just had my flu jab today, got to wait for the 28th before I can have my covid booster.
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It is also badly managed which doesn’t help the situation.
Not by the front line staff, we all know they do a great job, but they are hindered by the bureaucrats, number crunchers and pen pushers in the background.
Do you have any evidence or justification for that? Out of interest?
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I’ll be totally honest, it is just my personal opinion, but an organisation that can spend the billions that they do, and still be short of money surely can’t be being run right 
AFAIK, the spending is the realm of administrators and civil servants, hence my thinking that it is badly managed.
Also, most of the major decisions are made by the same people, some who have little or no experience in healthcare.
Maybe if the front line staff had a bit more of a say in how the NHS is run, it could be more efficient. 
(Hope that makes sense)
I don’t think that’s how money works. Of course it needs a big budget, it’s the 8th largest employer in the world. I don’t think that just because the budget is large means that it is definitely enough.
I don’t see any evidence NHS management is to blame frankly, I just think they are underfunded
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Yeah this varient is a worry. Although we all knew one was coming, doubtless the government will pretend to have been surprised when they f the response up again
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I’ve just read a different version of that article and in it it had quotes along the lines of “it’s only a few cases” and “we think we’ve got it contained”
I’m sure we’ve heard that before
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I meant much more expensive than getting them vaccinated. Why should the taxpayer pay all for all those extra tests you mention for those who’ve decided they don’t want to be vaccinated?
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I didn’t mention any extra tests. I said I people should be doing them vaccinated or not.
It’s taxpayers who are getting the tests, I suppose. Also, it might not be a good idea (for taxpayers) to put obstacles in the way of people getting tested.
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I immediately thought of Transformers when WHO named the new variety as Omicron. Turns out I’m not the only person 
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Well, face masks are back, PCR tests are back and isolation/quarantine is back.
Personally I’m now having to consider cancelling a Spain trip next week as not sure I can get the time off work to quarantine so that’s a bit gutting.
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Good point. I think England, given it’s devolved issues.
I’m not going be mad that the government are doing things quickly; it’s good that they are at least.
A little more clarity would be good though. I’ve several friends in Europe now, some returning tomorrow, and it’s not entirely clear when the PCR tests will be required - just refreshing the .gov website waiting for clarity.
Edit: looking back on what the Prime Minister said though; he says “the UK” when referring to entry.
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He may say that, but he can only speak for England. Nicola Sturgeon speaks for Scotland, I think it’s Mark Drakeford who speaks for Wales, and I can’t recall who but there’ll be someone else speaking for Northern Ireland, I would think.
ETA: just seen that the Welsh government have confirmed they’ll enact the same measures as Johnson announced.
I’m not gonna worry about this to be fair, just business as usual now
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I think this is the thing I find most frustrating. They announce things, but then there’s no documentation online at all of the exact rules that need to be followed.
It really does back up the anecdotes that have come out in the past that he decides policy moments before announcements.
At the moment people due to return to the UK over the next few days are in limbo because no date and time has been announced for the testing requirement changes. Presumably the passenger locator form and the software border force use needs to be updated too for the new requirements.
Also, if the Day 2 PCR remains a ‘on or before day 2 test’ it’s really not that bad. In theory you could take the test as soon as you get off the plane and have a result later the same day. I know Randox offer results by 9am the next day if you drop your sample by 1pm at certain dropboxes for example.