Testing the limits of mass testing

IT is understandable why people would place a lot of hope on mass testing, whatever it means. For many, the peace of mind from knowing whether one or someone you love is negative for the coronavirus would mean a lot in the face of uncertainty.

We already heard about the Alliance of Concerned Teachers’ (ACT) demand that there should be no opening of classes without mass testing of both teachers and students. Marikina City has launched a mass testing of all its tricycle drivers. Workers are demanding from employers that there should be mass testing as a prerequisite for them to return to work, and employers are asking for government assistance; only to be told by Malacañang that they have to shoulder the cost themselves.