Under the reported plans, the current system would be replaced with a universal payment, which means that anyone who tests positive for Covid would be eligible for the £500 sum, not just those on low incomes. Read on for the best discussion points from our readers and share your own view in the comments section at the bottom of this article. 'This is the latest in a long line of crank ideas from the Government' @Simon Fenn: "There needs to be an open conversation about how poor we want to be in relation to a strategy for the complete elimination of risk from Covid.