ON TWITTER

#CORONAVIRUSTEST

A test to find out whether people have been infected with coronavirus in the past has been approved by health officials in England. They said the antibody test, developed by Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche, was a “very positive development”.

@Barumdean tweeted: “So this test had already been approved by the EU at the beginning of May, and a fortnight later we’re following suit? The EU medicines agency was based in the UK, remember. Seems ‘Taking Back Control’ means footdragging behind at the back of the queue.”

@Titilayof reckoned: “Obviously someone high up has personal interest in Roche that’s why we are going round the houses. What a cafuffle!”

Optimistic @Garyntrader felt: “Good news – as long as the government can secure enough of these tests from Roche (PHE has now passed them as 100% accurate) and roll them out quickly. Still need confirmation though that people remain immune once they’ve had. “

@Hippychick3000 queried: “That’s great, but how do we get one? My dad was hospitalised in February that was before the testing for Covid-19 so we need one to determine if he had it or not.”

However, a cynical @Abercrombytom opined: “Would a pharma company lie to you?”

#NEWZEALAND

Thousands of businesses in New Zealand reopened yesterday as the country relaxes its coronavirus curbs, with some hairdressers seeing overnight queues round the block.

A happy @miaxmon tweeted: “New Zealand were fast to act and had some of the strictest lockdown rules in the world. Today they reopen and look almost back to normal. Crazy what happens when you have a government that puts the welfare of its citizens before profit.”

@matthaig1 came back: “Things that would improve my mental health right now: a competent government; a comprehensive test and trace scheme; clear messaging about an exit strategy; living in New Zealand.”

@notliomoran concurred: “Their government did not fail them and they have more than competent leadership! Their leader was on point.” Ex-pat @galaxixes enthused: “This is why I miss living there.”