Thread by @AlisonGeorge10

1) If both #NHS & @GOVUK websites have ONLY 3 symptoms with NO comment about other possible symptoms 1 of 2 things will happen. People WITH #COVID19 won’t realise they need or be able to access a test. OR those people that know there are more symptoms will have to lie to get one.

https://twitter.com/alisongeorge10/status/1348417564658036741

2)So there will be 1000s of ppl W/ #COVID19 oblivious that they have it & returning to work/school as soon as their symptoms have gone. Add to this that headteachers can only request a test for a child OR send a contact home based on those 3 SYMPTOMS huge numbers will be missed.

3)Then consider that the much hailed #lateralflowtest s have a very high FALSE NEGATIVE rate AND that they’re going to be used widely across educational settings to AVOID children & staff isolating.
This is a recipe for an ABSOLUTE DISASTER!

4)This is January 2021.
We’re in #Lockdown3 w/ truly shocking levels of cases, admissions, deaths & inevitably more #LongCovid.
1000s of grieving families. Every “number” a person w/ family & friends.
We’re being consistently failed by Gvmt, leading to AVOIDABLE SUFFERING.

5)I’m sad to say that the public health messaging from the very top remains inadequate.
PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THE FACTS URGENTLY.
I welcome the #CMO’s @thetimes article & TV message but it needs to go further.
The #NHS & @GOVUK websites need updating TODAY.
#BBC & others too.

6)Advice for school/nursery leaders needs to change TODAY.
Parents need to know that about the high false negative rates of #lateralflowtests in order to act appropriately to safely protect their families & other school members TODAY. No ifs, no buts.

7)I urge those advising @PHE_uk & @educationgovuk to “come clean”, say it as it is.
DON’T SUGAR COAT IT!
We on the “frontline” in health & education are really struggling.
This is a DEADLY SERIOUS situation.
A fully informed public is undoubtedly a safer public.

8)PLEASE HELP US TO #SaveLives & #protecttheNHS.

@CMO_England @PHE_uk @NHSEngland @NHSEnglandMedia @educationgovuk @NEUnion @NAHTnews @tes @MaryBoustedNEU @cyclingkev @didoharding @MattHancock @DHSCgovuk @Channel4News @BBCNewsnight @BBCLN @itvtynetees @SkyNews @10DowningStreet