Do Matt Hancock's two new tests even work? Scientists urge government to release data and prove 90-minute checks are accurate.

[2greys]

Ministers were today asked to prove that two new rapid coronavirus tests bought to bolster Britain's war on coronavirus even work.

The tests – which give results in 90 minutes – will start being rolled out from next week. One is so simple it could soon be deployed in airports, offices, pubs and restaurants – bringing testing to the bulk of the population.

A leading scientist today suggested they should be used to regularly screen children to prevent outbreaks in schools when pupils return in September.

But, despite being hailed as 'life-saving' by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, there is no publicly available data about their effectiveness. Experts today called on Number 10 to confirm both tests are accurate by releasing research on the new devices.

Professor Jon Deeks warned mistakes in testing can put lives at risk.

dailymail.co.uk/news/articl...

[2greys]

Here you are, a special for those that have voiced their opinion of disapproval about the Guardian being a left wing Newspaper. A right wing one, just for you. As I stated my posts do contain articles from all sources. No pleasing some I suppose. Its not like I twist anyone's arm to read my posts. If you don't like me and my posts then don't read them, my Avatar is very distinctive and easy to avoid.

[cofdrop-UK in reply to 2greys]

I don’t get the disapproval of political discussion with regard to your informative posts. Yes this is a site for people with lung issues but we are not defined by our lung conditions alone and all your political posts are relating to health and research. They are very relevant and clearly of interest to many.

You are quite right, As with a tv programme you don’t want to watch, there is a choice not to read a thread you don’t like.

You are a very valued member who contributes so much with all your health and research finds and I for one won’t be avoiding your avatar.

Cx

[2greys in reply to cofdrop-UK]

I am neither right wing or left wing (my parrot has both ). It matters not which party is in power to me, if they play with ours lives and make a hash of it. Regardless of the fact that I refuse to vote for any of them. I believe am still entitled to be critical of them, just as they believe they are entitled to play with my life, even if they do not have my vote.

As I said there is no pleasing some, I post an article from a hard right wing newspaper and get a comment "Sounds like the heading from a lefty rag" and cannot accept that is quoting a scientist.

[Hidden]

Lets hope they do work well for us all ;

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53632043

[Hidden]

If I hear an ‘um’ or ‘err’ come out of Matt Hancocks mouth then I tend to believe he’s talking BS

[Ergendl in reply to Hidden]

Isn't that three times a sentence?

[Hidden in reply to Ergendl]

On average yup!

[Badbessie]

I Think most of us now wait for proof that they work before getting excited. From memory they threw away millions of kits that were found to be useless. I have been watch a lot of American news lately and this 90 minute test is being advanced as how America should proceed.

[SquirrelsHolt]

Our cheeky chappie known to all as Matt(signed as just that on an official Government letter to those shielding) always makes me very suspicious as he's mot been the best at providing any info/data 100% relevant to his ramblings 😡.

I love your never ending sources of information and enjoy reading them. Boo hoo to the "snowflakes" 😂😂😂😂. 🐿🌈

[Hidden]

Not sure the DM is right wing any more, but bet these tests are 'world beating'. Could be more millions of pounds down the drain. Lets hope not.

[cofdrop-UK]

Please be transparent with public availability of data re the effectiveness of these tests - plea to my bezzie mate Matt 😉

Cx

[Perrythomas]

Something g really odd about this - lumping together a supposed Covid19 test with an “influenza” test

[Runner4848]

Sounds like the heading from a lefty rag.

[2greys in reply to Runner4848]

indy100.com/article/daily-m...

[Cateran]

The Lancet research is a gem of random process with mathematical modelling and probability theory. It is alarming 2G that transmission among children is equivalent to that among adults.

Thank you for expanding the reference to the Lancet work, which is medical science at its best and hardly a left leaning Journal.

[Hidden]

Those who criticise using the Guardian as a source should remember the Telegraph and Times both have firewalls*** so amongst the “quality” newspapers that leaves the Guardian & the Independent. I don’t like the Daily Mail but it does have some well-researched articles, as here. Unfortunately Matt H has previously shown himself much more interested in his own career than in public service, so no one, including me, believes a word he says.

*** as does the FT

[Angelagone in reply to Hidden]

I've always been baffled as to what qualifications he has to be Health Secretary. Wasnt he an economist ?

[Hidden in reply to Angelagone]

Yes he was, worked for the Bank of England & the family business. But none of them are qualified in that sense, are they? Boris Johnson’s a journalist! And Jeremy Hunt was some sort of PR consultant, then Health Secretary & now Foreign Office.

A common route to the House of Commons, for the Tories at any rate, seems to be: PPE at Oxbridge, then some sort of business venture (or the law), then politics. No wonder they’re so clueless about real life