14 Comments

I think the main problem is a lack of the tests available to nz. I work in pharmacy, we found out through the press release that pharmacies are to provide the supervised tests. We haven’t received stock yet and training has been available this week to find out how to supervise the tests. Please don’t get angry at your pharmacists! We are working as hard as we can to do all the things that need to happen at this busy time of the year then have been lumped with providing vaccine passports and now these tests with no consultation, no extra staff and there is already a massage staff shortage where I work anyway. Sorry for the rant!

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author

I feel so much for the chemists! I rang around a few chemists and they sounded so busy and overwhelmed and one seemed braced for yelling! I was extra nice. I feel so bad they’ve already had so much abuse around vaccinations and mow this!

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This is stupid and ridiculous.

I've just read up on the tests on the govt site. They have a feedback option, which I have used to ask why these are only for the unvaccinated, and why someone who is travelling to an immune compromised person can't also use them.

Should anyone else wish to do the same, here is the page link, the feedback form is at the bottom:

https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/assessment-and-testing-covid-19/rapid-antigen-testing

Hugs to you and yours xx

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Feedback submitted from me too, thank you for the link

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Feedback done, for what it might be worth, but this is a particularly disappointing scenario right now.

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founding

It’s infuriating.

The drive through testing centres are quiet and as you are isolated in your own car you are not exposed to other people. But frankly we should all be able to have access to the rapid antigen tests. Uk has done pretty much everything wrong - but my whole family have tests at home that they picked up from the pharmacy for free. They test before meeting for peace of mind (and yes they are all vaccinated). It’s the one thing the uk did well.

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I was going to say the same thing about the drive through tests - our local one in Papakura is very well run and there's rarely a wait (I also agree it shouldn't be necessary!)

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So very frustrating and sad. Might be worth a test. My g.p. tests in the car park so little risk

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100% agree with you!! I wanted the kids and I to have these tests before we leave Auckland this weekend to see family in ChCh (I’m double vaxxed). The kids, especially, I didnt want to have the nasal swabs because they are so young and the RAT looked perfect for them. I would even pay to use them if that was an option. So bloody annoying!!! Trying to do the right thing but thwarted by stupid bloody govt 🤬🤬

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A colleague travelled to Canada recently to reunite with family and at the airport was greeted by buckets of rapid antigen tests that you can help yourself to - as many as you liked! Really don’t understand why they are in such short supply here.

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That doesn't seem right 🙁, I'll post you some from Melbourne 💜

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It's so absurd that we can't get rapid tests, meanwhile in Europe and around the world they're available either for free or a very low cost. My friend in Canada is supplied one per week by her workplace which is a retailer. My SIL is having a high risk pregnancy and it would be great if we could all do rapid tests before seeing her.

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I think I'd just lie. This is bullshit.

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This made me so angry. I’ve emailed the ministry of health. As an immune compromised person with a disabled child, I expected that we would have access to a supply for our home, like in other countries. They should be freely supplied through IF funding providers, and hospital specialists. I’m sure other avenues too! Those are just the ones we deal with. A much easier condition would be just making them freely available at pharmacies for anyone who wants one. Also, seriously, the poor poor pharmacies! Imagine dealing with this.

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