Letter to the editor – 15th September 2020
“Myself and my husband are both key workers and came down with a mild cough on Sunday.
“We took the advice that we have been given throughout this pandemic to stay home and self isolate and get a COVID test, but it seems we are unable to get a test.
“My husband works for a company who desperately need the staff in work but he is unable to tell them a date he could return to work because we can’t get a test. Every time we try online it tells us there are ‘no test sites available’.
“On Monday, when we phoned, we were told they have reached all test availability and to try again tomorrow. It is very frustrating and I wonder how many other people are in this position on the Island?
“The government are giving us this advice and can’t even follow through with the means of supporting it”.
Amy



























































































I am in the same position and Government online booking is crashed and I work at the hospital so not good eh?
Same has happened with me and my partner, we’re both key workers and need to be back in work as quickly as possible not only for the company but ourselves too but it’s been so hard to get a test. Told by 111 to ring at 8 for the appointments to be sat On hold for an hour to find out there’s nothing available, how?! Where do they all go and who too? It’s really worrying.
Go straight there! They are excepting people without bookings, wish id of known that 3 days ago when i first tried to get a test!
Forget the internet, how about just driving to the test centre.Surely they can’t be that hard pressed at Blackwater ??
I’m sorry but a mild cough is not on the list of symptoms that qualify for a test – this is one of the reasons why there is a shortage of availability
Here, here. Mild cough, indeed… Persistent or hacking cough, raised temperature, lack of smell and, or taste, chronic suits all qualify you for a test, with respect. Too many people have been given the willies by our ‘new normal’ (new fascists) of every party and persuasion who seem to be doing nicely out of a bad situation.
‘Chronic suits’ clearly an error, although…
This is awful, for all concerned. Only a few days ago people in London were being told to go to the IW to get tested. Where is all the spare capacity gone? In the meantime the government are wasting money on a silly radio advert telling people to get tested. What is the point in doing this, if there are no appointments! Couldn’t make this up!!
If people are being sent to the isle of wight from the mainland for a test, I’m concerned whether the ferries are allowing them to stay in their cars, otherwise they could be infecting all the other passengers on their way here.
My partner and I are in the same boat we are self employed and have 3 clients between us ….. any ideas
for the good of all of us, I hope you manage to get a test soon,
but unfortunately this is just another example of the total ineptitude of this Tory government…
(if you have CV symptoms, get tested!,…Oh sorry, there aren’t any tests)
those who voted them in must be feeling really gutted to have been so badly hoodwinked.
As the saying goes,.. “there are lies, damn lies and Boris’ Tory Government”
Yeah because it would of been totally different under labour, and far better under lib den, that’s sarcasm by the way