Testing for coronavirus is one of the most effective ways of controlling the current pandemic. So far, the UK has only been testing people in hospitals who are showing severe symptoms. Unless, of course, you’re rich or important.
Despite only displaying mild symptoms, Prince Charles was recently tested for coronavirus. At the same time, frontline NHS workers showing symptoms can’t get tested. People dying in their homes have been told they’re “not a priority.”
Coronavirus is once again highlighting the inequalities of our society. While a large part of the population must wait until they’re struggling to breathe properly, Prince Charles was tested while displaying only the mildest of symptoms.
Despite the low number of available tests, those precious resources were wasted. Dr. Joe Timmons sums up the issue:
“We are NHS doctors are being refused testing and have numerous colleagues self-isolating. We are then unable to work and help people. This is an unjustifiable breach of NHS Scotland’s own protocol. Does this man truly merit testing when essential staff are being denied?”
The world is going to take a long time to heal from the coronavirus pandemic. Many people have lost jobs and, even worse, they’ve lost those close to them. When it comes time to make reparations for our mistakes, what are we going to tell them?
Realistically, there is no good reason why Prince Charles deserved testing more than anyone else. He is not vital to the running of the country. He’s just a rich old man who was born into the right family. Apparently, that means he’s just flat out more important than the rest of us.