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“It’s all about people who are necessary for the economy, or getting back to school and of course the health sector,” he said.
The Kew man, diagnosed with lymphoma, has been living in a self-imposed lockdown since he began treatment in November.
Mr Harris and his wife will go to the shops for essentials, but that’s it. With his immune system “wiped out” from monthly chemotherapy sessions, they are too frightened to go on social outings or have friends and family into their home without the security of rapid tests.
Even his mandatory PCR tests which are required before he goes into hospital for monthly chemotherapy are not being returned in time before his sessions.
These rapid tests are on their way to Melbourne man Rod Harris, currently undergoing chemo, from a friend in Thailand.Credit:Dustin Harris (Supplied)
Mr Harris’ friend Dustin Barter, a former Melburnian living in Thailand as an aid worker, is sending parcels of rapid tests to friends and family in Melbourne who can’t get their hands on them locally.
In Chiang Mai in northern Thailand where he lives, government-regulated rapid tests cost between $2 and $4 each and can be easily ordered online and delivered, or bought from pharmacies and convenience stores.
“You can order packs online and get them delivered within two to three days. A pack of 20 is about $40,” Mr Barter said.
He said he was astounded at the RAT shortages in Australia. “It’s not like the rapid tests are a new technology or anything. They’ve been using them for a long time in the UK, and they are highly effective. It’s baffling.”
In Australia, many have found crowdsourced website findarat.com.au, developed by 24-year-old Melbourne software engineer Matthew Hayward, a double-edged sword as crowds flock to retailers as soon as they are listed on the website as having stock.
Some have found more luck in numerous localised Facebook groups, such as Rapid Antigen Tests (Covid-19) Brisbane, started by Brisbane kindergarten teacher Angela Owens.
Ms Owens started the group for locals two weeks ago, furious with price gouging she saw happening around the city. Her group now has over 10,000 members who post dozens of real-time tips on shops in Brisbane with stock.
“People are posting [in the group] as they are lining up in the shop, so it’s in real time – not later logging data later on that night when they get home,” she said.
“[Locals] can then say ‘Oh great, I can duck down and be there in half an hour’,” she said.
Illustration: Matt GoldingCredit:.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission last week launched inquiries into more than 1000 reports of price gouging from the public, and a spokesman confirmed this week that apps like Airtasker were part of their purview.
“The ACCC is also looking at reports regarding the pricing of rapid tests on online marketplaces, and most have policies in place to prevent the sale of such items,” a spokesman said.
A spokeswoman for Airtasker said the platform had no concerns about the trade on the platform.
“Airtasker’s priority is to create a community that follows regulation, while connecting people that need things done, with those who have the skill or ability to do the task,” she said.
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“In this instance, it’s providing RAT tests, which is helping Australians do the right thing and stay in isolation.”
The federal government’s anti-price gouging measures, which will be in place until February 17, prohibit people who bought test kits from a retailer on-selling them for more than 120 per cent of what they paid, exporting them without a valid exemption.
The federal government said on Friday there were 200 million test kits on the way to Australia when state and federal orders were combined, although this includes shipments over several months.
The government has said it expects to distribute 10 million RATs to states and territories this week and next, while it had another 80 million units on order.
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RAT race: The extreme sport of finding rapid antigen tests in Australia
Source: Philippines Alive
