Selected for Testing

[boredwithit]

Has anyone else been 'randomly selected' for the CV ONS and Oxford study? I can't decide if to put the kids through all the regular tests, but H is very keen for our family to do it. From some posts it sounds like the swabs can be really brutal, so I'm hesitating to do it. But H points out that lots of kids may well be needing tests once they're back in school anyway and this would give us peace of mind as well as helping future research. Anybody doing it?

[Frazzled2207]

Not been contacted (yet) but I would not say the tests are “brutal”.
Ds7 had to have one the other day and didn’t enjoy it but coped well.
I’m not sure I’d want my kids to be guinea pigs and ds5 would certainly not tolerate the test very well but dh and I would be more than willing to help.

[MrsWhites]

I wouldn’t put my children forward for it, although not necessarily brutal, it doesn’t sound particularly pleasant and it’s doubtful that the routine testing would fall at the right time to coincide with any symptoms that would require your children to be tested for school anyway.

[snappycamper]

We're in it. I let my kids (10 and 8) decide whether they wanted to. When they worked out how much they could earn £425 over a year) they were keen. Decided to do the first one and take it from there. It's not so bad, they've done 3 now and decided to carry on.

[boredwithit]

Thanks for your thoughts. My DC are 4 and 6, so not in a position to fully understand even if I gave them the choice, so it will come down to our (really my) decision. My H is totally petrified about CV so of course is really keen to do this as he thinks it will help his anxiety, and with our job situations the money would certainly help.

The testing is once per week for 5 weeks but you can cancel at any point. H really wants us to at least try the first one and thinks the kids wouldn't be too bothered. I can imagine my eldest being quite sensitive about it but the youngest would probably be fascinated!

[DamitJanet]

I’ve not been asked to do regular testing, but did have to have a test recently. Was really nervous after the stuff I’d read on here. It was fine, certainly not brutal. Bit uncomfortable and I gagged but over very quickly really.

[Yetiyoga]

I had no idea they were paying people for this. Where do I sign up?! Haha.
If it will help your DH then I say go for it. I've had a test, it was uncomfortable but not too bad. It won't be pleasant for the kids but I think they will be OK and anything to help research is a positive.

[WrongKindOfFace]

I didn’t know you got paid either! I would do it if asked.

[DipSwimSwoosh]

Why do they have to pay people?

[boredwithit]

@DipSwimSwoosh I suppose as with anything like surveys and research it's an extra incentive for people to sign up. It's actually vouchers, not cash, but there's no info about where they can be redeemed. My business has gone down the pan during lockdown and I've slipped through the cracks for any financial support, so it is quite tempting if the vouchers were for useful places.

There will/may also be blood tests for adults, which I'm worried about too as my veins are rubbish and HCP always struggle to get anything from me!

Thank you to pp who've reassured me about the swabs for the kids.

[StrikingMatches]

We've been doing it for the last 3 months or so. At first it was self administered tests every week and now it's dropped down to once per month. Both children are doing it and they're 4 and 7, they understand why we do it. We each receive £25 every time we take a test which are offered in the form of vouchers for numerous stores. We estimate we'll be paid around 2k by the end of the study.

[boredwithit]

@StrikingMatches that's good to know your DC are similar ages to mine and are doing ok with it, thanks! Can you please tell me if the vouchers are for using at supermarkets? That would be the most helpful thing for our family right now.

[StrikingMatches]

I've just checked and there is Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury on the list. There's also Amazon, M&S, Costa, Clarks, B&Q.

We each received £50 for the first time we did it and then £25 for each subsequent time. There is often a time lag of about a week to ten days between doing the test and receiving the voucher.

The tests are self administered, so you can do the kids, to be honest both of ours do there own now with a little guidance. Back of the throat followed by each nostril and the swab goes into a small test tube and into a ziplock bag. We haven't been offered the blood test as the lady who comes to our house isn't a trained phlebotomist.

[boredwithit]

Thank you @StrikingMatches

[OneUsernameOnly]

My children and I are doing it. My younger kids are 10 and 6 and are fine doing it - well I do it for them. The vouchers have been very handy. We all got £50 each for the first test and £25 each for subsequent tests. This week is our last weekly test before we go to monthly testing. The only pain was they phone up the day before and expect us to be available which I have repeatedly told them I work. There are 6 of us in my family so the vouchers really add up! Plus it’s nice knowing that we don’t have it.

[nannynick]

Not done this particular study but have done ONS ones on other subjects in the past. The payment was choice of Love2Shop voucher or Amazon.

[nannynick]

Just looked it up and it was via VoucherShopExchange so there were likely other retailer choices as well.

[OneUsernameOnly]

Nannynick Once you do one study do you think you are more likely to be asked for more?

We get a big choice of where to spend the vouchers - supermarkets, online like amazon, ASOS also b&q etc. We find they take about 7 days to come through from each test.
Go for it op - chances are the kids will have to get tested at some point anyway.

[nannynick]

I was asked in October, not heard from ONS again. I expect it may be down to what demographic you fit in as they want a range of different ones for most surveys.

[nannynick]

@OneUsernameOnly I have just had a package in the post from ONS.
So I think having taken part in one or more surveys in the past may mean you get selected for other surveys as they know you are likely to spend the time needed to complete them... my last survey took 2 weeks to do.

[lljkk]

We were offered this and I turned it down... I suspect I didn't read the letter long enough to see we would be paid. Now I reckon it must be paid regime since everyone in the home had to be tested frequently over 6 months. oh dear.. Normally my greed prevails but I still dislike the thought of the regular swabs. It sounds horrid. ONS even rang to ask why didn't I want the test. Irony is DD will get tested soon because of her work. I'm glad other people are braver. Lockdown has taught me I'm a huge coward about many things. Virus or physical risks don't scare me, but I'm squeamish and a shockingly huge emotional coward. DD is brave emotionally so doesn't take after me, tg.

[OneUsernameOnly]

Not everyone in the home has to be tested and anyone can stop at any time.