Do not cancel the ONS COVID tracking survey
Do not cancel the ONS COVID tracking survey
Why this petition matters
The government are planning to stop the ONS survey of COVID in the population in spring 2022. As a sample survey, which includes non symptomatic cases it is the most accurate and reliable published data source to help us assess our level of risk when living in our communities. The government daily cases understate the reality of the situation as it is a self reporting sample and reflects levels of testing, which has dropped significantly due to reduced availability of tests and removal of PCR testing requirements.
For people like me, (immunosuppressed) estimated 3.7million who are vulnerable to severe consequences of covid even when fully vaccinated and boosted, plus our families who are also affected as they protect us, please retain the ONS survey. It is our only reliable source of information to help us make decisions about our life choices - if cases are 1 in 19 people have covid (as at 5th February excluding in hospital/care homes), I won’t be going to the pub, but 1 in 1,000 sitting outside I can risk a beer!
Let’s get this petition to a level where this has to be discussed and agreed in parliament. Removing data and information from society will not make covid disappear. It will isolate the vulnerable and make us feel even more ignored and abandoned. Our lives have been severely restricted over the past two years and lack of information will add to and prolong our stress.
Thank you for your support.
Decision-Makers
- Boris JohnsonPrime Minister
- UK Parliament
- office national statistics
- Clinically vulnerable
- Immunosuppressed