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That hasn't stopped Germany announcing new restrictions on visitors from the UK from tonight. Notably tests in the UK are free and the public are encouraged to

by ssl232 5y ago

That hasn't stopped Germany announcing new restrictions on visitors from the UK from tonight. Notably tests in the UK are free and the public are encouraged to do 2-3 tests per week, versus Germany where tests were up until recently chargeable, and there is a shortage of test kits. Makes you wonder whether the difference in cases between the two is really that stark.

orra 5y ago
I’m sure in a few weeks we will discover there was already widespread domestic transmission of Omicron, in Germany. When Omicron was initially discovered, the United Kingdom promptly closed its borders to several African countries—but oddly not whiter infected countries like The Netherlands. This was of course pointless politicking, and did nothing to stop the spread of Omicron in the UK, which was already established. If only the UK had instead chosen to implement decent sick pay, or immediately ramp up the booster program, or implement work from hone guidance. Instead the UK let it rip fir three weeks, before suddenly panicking.
nkmnz 5y ago
This is not really true. Tests taken by professional test centers have only been chargeable for sth like 2-4 weeks in November for unvaccinated people - this attempt to let unvaccinated people pay for their play did not work out very well, so tests are free for all again. There also is no shortage in test kits, you can buy them by the hundreds in regular supermarkets.
- ssl232 5y ago
  I live there and there was a shortage where I was up until recently, and prices for home kits are higher than they used to be. Free tests are free but you must go to a testing center, potentially having to book beforehand. In the UK you get a set of 7 free tests via mail if you ask, and you can ask once per day, so effectively you can test every two waking hours if you feel inclined. There's definitely a difference in testing going on between the two countries.
  - nkmnz 5y ago
    Where are you? I’ve been to 7 cities in the past month and I could get a professional test every day with 10-30min waiting time, and supermarkets were stocked with hundreds of tests everywhere. If you live in Bavaria, maybe some crony CSU politicians created an artificial shortage of supply in order to extort higher kickbacks? :)
    - ssl232 5y ago
      Niedersachsen, but I think you're missing my main point: the mental and physical effort for doing a test is much lower in the UK. As I said, you can order a set of 7 lateral flow tests for next day delivery to your door. The free tests in Germany involve either booking a slot, or at least risking to turn up and wait for a slot, at a test center. The home kits cost money and, as I pointed out, are often out of stock (though apparently this is a highly localised phenomenon). It should also be noted the free test kits in the UK say the user must submit their result whether positive or negative. This surely pushes up the number of positive tests included in UK figures. In fact, I suspect the UK's high case rates since the summer - part of the reason why Germany has had it on its list of high risk areas since July - are simply an artefact of huge rates of testing going on and not because it's "plague island" as some like to brand it.
      - nkmnz 5y ago
        I get your main point, but I do not agree. Pointing out that you are wrong with the spare facts is just easier than arguing about wether professional tests or DIY are better suited to slow down the pandemic. Since there’s no one stopping you from faking the DIY test result, while there’s at least one other person involved in forging an official test, I personally think it’s very reasonable to not include DIY tests into „2G+“.
        ssl232 5y ago
        I am sorry but from your reply it seems like you've missed my point. Not sure how I can clarify it so I'll just stop replying.
odiroot 5y ago
Maybe the decision is purely political? As you explain, it's not logical at all.

by ssl232 5y ago

orra 5y ago

I’m sure in a few weeks we will discover there was already widespread domestic transmission of Omicron, in Germany. When Omicron was initially discovered, the United Kingdom promptly closed its borders to several African countries—but oddly not whiter infected countries like The Netherlands. This was of course pointless politicking, and did nothing to stop the spread of Omicron in the UK, which was already established. If only the UK had instead chosen to implement decent sick pay, or immediately ramp up the booster program, or implement work from hone guidance. Instead the UK let it rip fir three weeks, before suddenly panicking.

nkmnz 5y ago

This is not really true. Tests taken by professional test centers have only been chargeable for sth like 2-4 weeks in November for unvaccinated people - this attempt to let unvaccinated people pay for their play did not work out very well, so tests are free for all again. There also is no shortage in test kits, you can buy them by the hundreds in regular supermarkets.

ssl232 5y ago
I live there and there was a shortage where I was up until recently, and prices for home kits are higher than they used to be. Free tests are free but you must go to a testing center, potentially having to book beforehand. In the UK you get a set of 7 free tests via mail if you ask, and you can ask once per day, so effectively you can test every two waking hours if you feel inclined. There's definitely a difference in testing going on between the two countries.
- nkmnz 5y ago
  Where are you? I’ve been to 7 cities in the past month and I could get a professional test every day with 10-30min waiting time, and supermarkets were stocked with hundreds of tests everywhere. If you live in Bavaria, maybe some crony CSU politicians created an artificial shortage of supply in order to extort higher kickbacks? :)
  - ssl232 5y ago
    Niedersachsen, but I think you're missing my main point: the mental and physical effort for doing a test is much lower in the UK. As I said, you can order a set of 7 lateral flow tests for next day delivery to your door. The free tests in Germany involve either booking a slot, or at least risking to turn up and wait for a slot, at a test center. The home kits cost money and, as I pointed out, are often out of stock (though apparently this is a highly localised phenomenon). It should also be noted the free test kits in the UK say the user must submit their result whether positive or negative. This surely pushes up the number of positive tests included in UK figures. In fact, I suspect the UK's high case rates since the summer - part of the reason why Germany has had it on its list of high risk areas since July - are simply an artefact of huge rates of testing going on and not because it's "plague island" as some like to brand it.
    - nkmnz 5y ago
      I get your main point, but I do not agree. Pointing out that you are wrong with the spare facts is just easier than arguing about wether professional tests or DIY are better suited to slow down the pandemic. Since there’s no one stopping you from faking the DIY test result, while there’s at least one other person involved in forging an official test, I personally think it’s very reasonable to not include DIY tests into „2G+“.
      - ssl232 5y ago
        I am sorry but from your reply it seems like you've missed my point. Not sure how I can clarify it so I'll just stop replying.

odiroot 5y ago

Maybe the decision is purely political? As you explain, it's not logical at all.