Know what? I think Govt are going to hit their 100,000 tests mark.
Here's how. First, on April 28, Govt opened up the testing to 65+s (millions of people).
Then next morning at 11am, Hancock emails the Conservative Party membership (124K members, many over 65) to apply.
Here's how. First, on April 28, Govt opened up the testing to 65+s (millions of people).
Then next morning at 11am, Hancock emails the Conservative Party membership (124K members, many over 65) to apply.
Why is that email important? Because not a lot of people watching the news the day before would know how to go and apply or take the action...
...emailing a database with a big "Apply Now" button does the trick.
A Conservative Party database will have additional reason to act.
...emailing a database with a big "Apply Now" button does the trick.
A Conservative Party database will have additional reason to act.
This isn't illegal, of course -- everyone should be notified.
However, did the Govt put similar effort into outreach for care home residents and staff, arguably much more important to test - but who were made egible on the same day?
However, did the Govt put similar effort into outreach for care home residents and staff, arguably much more important to test - but who were made egible on the same day?
And the timing is impeccable for causing a surge on the last day of the month.
Those who clicked that button yesterday would have been shuttled through to the Gov.uk site where they could have (if they had symptoms) picked mail delivery or drive thru.
Those who clicked that button yesterday would have been shuttled through to the Gov.uk site where they could have (if they had symptoms) picked mail delivery or drive thru.
Anyway - home delivery tests can come in 1-2 days and drive thru can be booked for next day.
Either way, the "journey" is quite long (a few days), so you can count tests as "done" if you've sent out tests to households on that day and presume them done.
Either way, the "journey" is quite long (a few days), so you can count tests as "done" if you've sent out tests to households on that day and presume them done.
That's why I reckon they will have hit over 100,000 tests 'done' on this day... because they opened it up to the large pop of over 65s two days before -and also used their own database to give it a nudge... then there is flexibility in what you count as a test 'done' on what day.
And of course the Govt have been very coy about hitting that mark in the past day or two.
So any sceptics might want to be careful if they are crowing today about Govt failure to hit the mark - they may be walking into a "gotcha" trap.
Better to wait and see what the data are.
So any sceptics might want to be careful if they are crowing today about Govt failure to hit the mark - they may be walking into a "gotcha" trap.
Better to wait and see what the data are.
Finally, for what it’s worth, here is me 19 days ago saying that the Govt may hit its 100,000 testing target...
...by holding back until the last few days and then orchestrating a flood of mail order tests -
- to hit the mark for that one day:
pscp.tv/w/cXnYLDFtTUVQ…
...by holding back until the last few days and then orchestrating a flood of mail order tests -
- to hit the mark for that one day:
pscp.tv/w/cXnYLDFtTUVQ…
And then there’s this.
Yup, so it wasn’t a build up to this level - but a 1-day mailshot:
hsj.co.uk/quality-and-pe…
Yup, so it wasn’t a build up to this level - but a 1-day mailshot:
hsj.co.uk/quality-and-pe…
A big factor that needs asking is... what % are actually returning tests?
Not just for the sake of the validity of the 100,000 mark, but it may be the case that people without symptoms selfishly order them to have them on standby/ just in case (for themselves or others).
Not just for the sake of the validity of the 100,000 mark, but it may be the case that people without symptoms selfishly order them to have them on standby/ just in case (for themselves or others).
CALLED IT. 💁🏻♂️
