Ireland's #COVID19 testing system: what it does well, what it doesn't, and what needs to get better if we stand a chance of going back to some sort of new normal: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/coronavirus-is-insufficient-testing-a-big-weakness-in-our-attack-1.4225454

A few thoughts on this:
1. Testing delays are a big problem. Our testing system has faced lots of challenges, most of which couldn't be avoided. But people are waiting too long for results.

2. Why does this matter? Most people's results don't impact on their treatment. So from a coldly clinical point of view, it shouldn't make a difference. But it does.

3. The longer people wait, the less confidence they have in the system. The bigger the gap between their experience of the pandemic, and the big promises made by politicians. In a situation where the govt is asking for extraordinary buy-in and trust from people, this matters

4. It also matters because, while it doesn't make much of a difference to most people's treatment, fast testing is *absolutely crucial* for relaxing measures. There was consensus on this among experts & govt sources I spoke to. Slow testing/tracing = no relaxing measures

5. As one government source put it: "We’re doing okay, but until we’re confident we’re doing a lot better we can’t relax restrictions... otherwise this thing will come back like the plague it is" (!)

6. Overall, our testing regime is not bad, given the circumstances. But major problems have to be solved, pace has to be increased, and public confidence has to be restored/maintained for it to work.

7. Finally, thanks to the many, many people who responded to this Tweet with their stories. There could never be enough room in copy to share them all. Here's just a few from the many who got in touch (names have been changed).

https://twitter.com/JackHoJo/status/1248170321569611777?s=19