not quite what I said Paddy. If I remember correctly the tweet in question was specifically about people showing symptoms of Covid 19 and that they should book a PCR test not an antigen test. The advice on the use of antigen tests has not changed and antigen testing has not been rejected.paddyor wrote: ↑December 3rd, 2021, 5:39 pmI had to go back and check there to make sure this had nothing to do with OMicron and it doesn't. We'd have the exact same attitude Omicron or not. Take this time this last year. Rejected antigen tests in favour of telling people to limit social interactions and advising a limit on household gatherings. How did that go? And it seems we're doing the same this year with some daft unenforceable 4 household limit. He could be telling people to use antigen tests whenever they intend to meet but he's more worried it will interfere with messaging eleswhere.Oldschoolsocks wrote: ↑December 3rd, 2021, 7:58 am it is too early into this variant to be making assumptions about how long the incubation period is or how long a person will only be infectious for or how much protection vaccination will offer or how many people this variant will make very sick.
Until these are established it is entirely appropriate to be risk averse.
The risk averse approach is to self isolate and book a PCR test if you have symptoms.
everything else is just noise
As to the Omicron variant. You're correct we don't much about it(though what we do know is that all cases appear to be mild so far) as you say it's all just a fart noise.
the guidance on gov.ie advises the appropriate use of antigen tests https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/a83 ... y-messages
Enforcing the number of people in a household has always been unenforceable because we do not live in a police state.3. In every situation, reduce your risk of catching / transmitting COVID-19 over the coming weeks by:
- prioritising close friends and family and being conscious of vulnerable people (including yourself) in your circle
- meeting outdoors where possible and opening windows and doors to let fresh air in if meeting indoors
- wearing a mask, keeping your distance and cleaning your hands frequently
- using antigen tests appropriately
With some luck, this will be a mild variant that will make nobody very sick and might just sweep around the globe and grant immunity to infection from any more variants, but as we both agree that remains to be seen.