Quote:
Originally Posted by OLD BOY
No, I was commenting on the number of reported cases - that figure that appears on our TV sets each night. I am not arguing that the number of actual cases will fall.
The thing is, nobody knows the actual number of cases there are in the country because we cannot know what isn’t reported. One thing for certain is that there are far more positive cases than are reported.
The data indicating the proportion of tests that are positive proves very little. After all, there are specific reasons why people get PCR tests. What about the rest of positive cases where no PCR tests are performed?
|
There have been many ludicrous claims and assertions made on the forum but baselessly claiming the data isn’t very good so we shouldn’t collect any at all is right up there as a starter for 2022.
Nobody claims the testing data is a complete picture. The ONS data, with sufficient proficiency in understanding (and not applying unrelated figures from a sub-population) proves that.
However claiming that more people are testing positive - than ever before over the last few weeks - is a result of more people neither unwell or identified as close contacts having a speculative test is a wilfully fanciful interpretation. The ONS data is consistent with the rise is testing. The trend is also seen around the world - even in countries reliant upon PCR testing that don’t have easy or free universal access to LFTs.
What strikes me as most bizarre about the “just don’t test” argument is those who test positive, and are double/triple vaccinated are the most likely to resume somewhat normal economic behaviour. Removing this uncertainty is surely rational, and condemning millions to uncertainty and risk-averse behaviour for months going forward the most economically irrational?
The absence of quality data only means people will make spurious claims that can neither be easily proven nor disproven. Statements like there is no risk to kids, or there are only two in hospital across the land, end up given equal weight to more meaningful insights or analysis from people in the NHS, paediatric units and so forth.