Covid mass testing for travelling and the questions it should raise.

I am a firm believer and defender of human rights and critical thinking. I believe everyone should have access to free information and personally makes up their mind on what they believe is their version of the reality.

In today’s mass media and Google algorithms, it is unfortunately more and more challenging to know and be firmly convinced of what is true or not. This article is solely my opinion based on many research.

I am happy to add a disclaimer that no one knows for sure what is true or not anymore. We have to take a minute and be honest about it. But reading different articles, cross checking information, and raising relevant questions is something we should all do for our own sovereignty as citizens living in a democracy. It also helps spotting when things are getting in contradiction of what is being told. And that’s the topic I would like to share in this article.

Since a few days, more and more countries are now requesting travellers to get a negative PCR test in order to be free to leave the territory.

My readings lead me to a significant amount of contradicting information about Covid mass testing, its test accuracy, and further more the price that is now requested in order to get one.

Here are the questions that I would like to raise and am more than happy to hear what your thoughts are on this subject.

What can explain the difference of prices of PCR Covid test that will allow individuals to travel?

When comparing online, it seems that getting the PCR Covid test highly varies in cost based on the country you are travelling from.

The top expensive countries are the US and the UK with up to £200 for a test via a private practice. In the UK, you can get a test for £120 at Boots high street retailer and can expect a discount if you travel via some airports.

NHS public health service also offers a free Covid test if you have experienced symptoms but this test can’t be used for travelling. This means you have no choice, but to pay for your test if you would like to travel.

In France, lucky citizens and foreign travellers won’t have to pay anything as covered by the French national social care system. In most of other European countries, the cost is around €30–60.

So why is the Covid test price so different from one country to another and should we question its deontology, moral and ethics?

I am sure you don’t want to think it is all but a great capitalist and business profit plan behind this, instead of a genuinely caring health decision.

Is the test 100% accurate and if not, what are the human consequences?

Based on several articles, it seems that the PCR Covid test is not totally reliable — “Covid-19: Mass testing is inaccurate and gives false sense of security, minister admits”.

Let’s now think about travelling from the US scenario. You can’t be even sure that after spending $200, your test is actually accurate.On top of it, if you travel with your family, the amount you are prepared to pay is getting enormous. A bit bittersweet right? At least it would be great to have the reassurance to get what you are paying for!

Furthermore, we have to think of human consequences. If you are tested “falsely” positive, what does it mean for you individually speaking? Well, I guess it depends where you are in your travel journey. You won’t be able to travel or even worse, not being able to come back to your country.

The other side is also concerning. If we can’t trust the result of this test, then how can we be totally sure it is ok to travel for you, your loved ones and anyone in contact with you?

If individuals can’t afford the Covid test cost for travelling, is getting the vaccine their only future solution?

Thinking of the future and the vaccine(s) being rolled out for the best or the worse: again no one knows for sure, it may takes several months or years to have actual concrete and significative amount of data to confirm its performance and safety.

If a Covid test for travel becomes mandatory and it is highly expensive, it may appear more cost efficient or logical for many people to choose the option to get the vaccine instead.

This health choice purely financial could be seen as disturbing and again not morally correct. A democracy should lead us to have a full empowerment on our health choices — not facing a financial wall and having to comply with a health option against our will in order to be allowed to live normally.

I also assume, looking at human history that individuals who will get the vaccine will receive a certificate once the jab administrated. With new technologies, it will be a logical step to have this info saved on apps . We also need to think of the regulation of personal health data privacy usage.

That’s it for my reflections. Please react, share your info and let’s debate on these points.