If you've tried to get any kind of Covid-19 test in the past few weeks, you have probably come up against long queues and delayed wait times for results from PCR testing, and in the cast of Rapid Antigen Tests, high prices if you can even find one.

But why has getting a test for coronavirus become so difficult two years into the pandemic? Did the Federal Government not buy enough tests? Are the testing labs not working fast enough? Are shops holding back on available supplies of RATs so they can price gouge?

The Quicky speaks to a GP and an expert in Australian health care to find out why the testing system has ground to a halt across the country, and when we can expect the situation to improve so we can finally start 'living with Covid'.

CREDITS 

Host: Claire Murphy

With thanks to: 

Emeritus Professor Stephen Duckett - Health and Aged Care Program Director at Grattan Institute

Dr Brad McKay - Science communicator, TV host, author and podcaster who works as a GP in Sydney. He is also the author of Fake Medicine: Exposing the wellness crazes, cons and quacks costing us our health

Producer: Claire Murphy

Executive Producer: Siobhán Moran-McFarlane

Audio Producer: Ian Camilleri

Subscribe to The Quicky at... https://mamamia.com.au/the-quicky/

CONTACT US

Got a topic you'd like us to cover? Send us an email at thequicky@mamamia.com.au

GET IN TOUCH:

Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Just by reading or listening to our content, you’re helping to fund girls in schools in some of the most disadvantaged countries in the world - through our partnership with Room to Read. We’re currently funding 300 girls in school every day and our aim is to get to 1,000. Find out more about Mamamia at mamamia.com.au 

If you've tried to get any kind of Covid-19 test in the past few weeks, you have probably come up against long queues and delayed wait times for results from PCR testing, and in the cast of Rapid Antigen Tests, high prices if you can even find one.
But why has getting a test for coronavirus become so difficult two years into the pandemic? Did the Federal Government not buy enough tests? Are the testing labs not working fast enough? Are shops holding back on available supplies of RATs so they can price gouge?
The Quicky speaks to a GP and an expert in Australian health care to find out why the testing system has ground to a halt across the country, and when we can expect the situation to improve so we can finally start 'living with Covid'.
CREDITS&nbsp;
Host: Claire Murphy
With thanks to:&nbsp;
Emeritus Professor Stephen Duckett - Health and Aged Care Program Director at <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/expert/stephen-duckett/">Grattan Institute</a>
Dr Brad McKay - Science communicator, TV host, author and podcaster who works as a GP in Sydney. He is also the author of <a href="https://www.drbradmckay.com.au/">Fake Medicine</a>: Exposing the wellness crazes, cons and quacks costing us our health
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Producer: Claire Murphy
Executive Producer:&nbsp;Siobh&aacute;n Moran-McFarlane
Audio Producer: Ian Camilleri
Subscribe to The Quicky at...<a href="https://mamamia.com.au/the-quicky/"> https://mamamia.com.au/the-quicky/</a>
CONTACT US
Got a topic you'd like us to cover? Send us an email at <a href="mailto:thequicky@mamamia.com.au">thequicky@mamamia.com.au</a>
GET IN TOUCH:
Feedback? We&rsquo;re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at <a href="mailto:podcast@mamamia.com.au">podcast@mamamia.com.au</a>
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Just by reading or listening to our content, you&rsquo;re helping to fund girls in schools in some of the most disadvantaged countries in the world - through our partnership with Room to Read. We&rsquo;re currently funding 300 girls in school every day and our aim is to get to 1,000. Find out more about Mamamia at mamamia.com.au&nbsp;

Do you find the news cycle overwhelming?  Depressing? Confusing? Boring? Endless?
Then you need The Quicky.   Mamamia's daily podcast that gets you up to speed on the top stories, then deep dives on one topic you want to know more about.  
It's the easiest and most enjoyable way to get across the news every day.

The Quicky

Do you find the news cycle overwhelming? Depressing? Confusing? Boring? Endless?

Then you need The Quicky. Mamamia's daily podcast that gets you up to speed on the top stories, then deep dives on one topic you want to know more about.

It's the easiest and most enjoyable way to get across the news every day.

Do you find the news cycle overwhelming? Depressing? Confusing? Boring? Endless?
Then you need The Quicky. Mamamia's daily podcast that gets you up to speed on the top stories, then deep dives on one topic you want to know more about.
It's the easiest and most enjoyable way to get across the news every day.