Even with an easy-to-use saliva test, people can't be trusted to do the right (honest) thing, as we have discovered so often during this pandemic. Those tests being handed out freely in the UK - kids are still being sent into school despite a positive result (mum/dad can't or won't take time off work). Instead of getting on and doing her job of teaching, my daughter is kept busy keeping kids apart, getting them to sanitise their hands, making them sanitise their desks and chairs before the lesson begins, constantly reminding them not to borrow each other's pens and pencils, doing everything to prevent covid spreading through the school as per government guidelines, while hoping she doesn't catch it herself.
For mass testing at public places in the new "normal", the test has to be taken by an official surely? Too many chances for people to cheat the system otherwise. Maybe we should look at the positives of this - like job creation? Whether at airports, sports venues or concerts, there would need to be testing stations permanently set up and staffed. Once cleared through, you can go to get your bags checked or whatever is next.
This isn't without its issues either though, so many "what if" scenarios. Say you've just turned up at a concert venue with your mates. One of you tests positive and can't go in. Now what? Apart from being gutted that you will miss the concert, how do you get home (if you came by public transport) now that you are potentially in danger of infecting everyone around you? Will this have to be organised for you? What about at the airport, family of four heading off on holiday and one of the kids tests positive? Now what? Cancel and all go home presumably, but will this be covered by travel insurance? Even worse, what if one of the kids tests positive at the overseas airport, will the whole family have to be quarantined and then put on a flight home 2 weeks later?
I'm as excited by Eugeni as everyone else, but it throws up a lot of questions too, doesn't it? And I've barely scratched the surface. It's hard to see the world getting back to the normal lifestyle we all enjoyed in 2019 and before. Especially if this pandemic is the first of many, which the WHO are predicting :-(
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