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Original poster

Are you stocking up on lateral flow tests?

232 replies

alltheapples · 23/02/2022 10:17

I wondered now that the government are ending free tests if anyone else is stocking up on free tests?

OP posts:
Bettyboop3 · 23/02/2022 10:59

@alltheapples

I am not paying for tests.
Who do you suggest should be paying for them then??
WhatAHexIGotInto · 23/02/2022 10:59

Both i and DP are ecv and I have seen nothing about this

Oh how strange you didn't mention this in your OP @alltheapples. I don't have 'proof' I was told by my oncologist.

WhatAHexIGotInto · 23/02/2022 11:02

To be clear, I am out of active treatment now, so I will pay for tests if I feel I need one.

InDubiousBattle · 23/02/2022 11:03

I managed to get a couple of boxes yesterday and a family member is giving us a couple more that they don't need. Dh wants to be able to test before he sees his mum in the hospice . When we have to pay for them then we will, fortunately we can afford it.

womaninatightspot · 23/02/2022 11:03

I'm assuming that we won't test anymore. To be fair don't go to massive events or are in close contact with anyone who's vulnerable so wouldn't be testing to protect others. I'd also assume if work wants a test (hospitality) they can pay for them. I will grab a couple of packs at the chemist until rules change up her (Scotland) in case someone gets a cough and we all have to test again.

Original poster
alltheapples · 23/02/2022 11:03

@WhatAHexIGotInto yes 100,000 people get free tests. That does not even include everyone with cancer. Over 3 million people are ecv.

OP posts:
AnEpisodeOfEastenders · 23/02/2022 11:05

Only so I can sell them on eBay.

Original poster
alltheapples · 23/02/2022 11:05

@InDubiousBattle

I managed to get a couple of boxes yesterday and a family member is giving us a couple more that they don't need. Dh wants to be able to test before he sees his mum in the hospice . When we have to pay for them then we will, fortunately we can afford it.
How did you manage that? You can only order one box every 72 hours.
OP posts:
AngelsWithSilverWings · 23/02/2022 11:06

"What for? The most vulnerable should still be able to access them and if workplaces require them they should also supply them?"

My DD is vulnerable. We have been given no advice to say we will get free tests. We have one priority PCR test we can use if we think she has Covid so that she can get anti vitals quickly.

We currently all test twice a week as that's what schools require.

So yes I've built up a stock pile over the past few weeks so that we can test more regularly now that she is more likely to be sitting next to or near Covid positive cases at school every day and we are more likely to be exposed because positive cases will now be free to be in the community.

I'm not being an idiot , I'm doing what I can to protect my 13 year old child who is still not fully vaccinated because our government were too slow to roll out jabs for vulnerable kids.

rookiemere · 23/02/2022 11:06

LFTs will eventually have to be paid through a tax increase or future debt. I don't feel guilty about getting a few boxes in, even though I could afford them.

We're still being told in Scotland that being a good citizen requires frequent testing, close contacts still have to test for 7 days. There's hundreds of thousands of boxes sitting that have already been produced. If CEV people are not going online and ordering them, that's hardly my fault.

I'm not getting hundreds of the things, but it does seem sensible if something is now free and will shortly require payment, to get it whilst it's free.

Scotland hasn't got rid of isolation requirements , but England- quite rightly- has said they aren't going to foot the bill for free tests going forward because Scotland chooses to do things differently. I already pay more tax because I live in Scotland, not going to fork out for LFT if I don't have to.

Oh and call me selfish if you want, that word has been well and truly overused during the last two years.

Hbh17 · 23/02/2022 11:06

No. I never use them & they are not necessary. Think of the appalling damage from all that single-use plastic!

Butteryflakycrust83 · 23/02/2022 11:07

Yup, ive been ordering extra boxes for a while, and will continue to order them as long as they are free.

InDubiousBattle · 23/02/2022 11:09

I had a code and got them from the chemist op.

Original poster
alltheapples · 23/02/2022 11:11

Okay thanks. Our chemist never seems to have any in, but I will try again. Want a good supply in before the 1st of April when they are no longer free.

OP posts:
OrganisedChaos22 · 23/02/2022 11:15

No. We don't have the money to be paying for tests. I read its boots are 2.50 a test.
Well if we did 2 a week each for the over 5s that's £14 week.. Nearly £60a month!
Not a fucking chance.

InDubiousBattle · 23/02/2022 11:16

My two closest oes didn't have any left so I had to go a bit further to get them. My FIL is worried about running out as he tests every day.

rookiemere · 23/02/2022 11:17

@InDubiousBattle why does your FIL test every day ?

CornishGem1975 · 23/02/2022 11:19

Not 'stocking up' as I won't be testing regularly but I'll probably order a couple of boxes while still free because none of us would be eligible for free testing and we're a large household.

MrsPsmalls · 23/02/2022 11:19

I'm stockpiling because (and how bananas is this???) as NHS staff I have been told I will still need to test twice weekly, but I will have to buy my own as no budget for work to pay!

JillGoodacre · 23/02/2022 11:19

We have to pay for them here in Malaysia- ranging from £2 to £5 each. Both kids have to test every Sunday before school and husband also (he said teacher ) 🤷🏻‍♂️ what can you do?

InDubiousBattle · 23/02/2022 11:20

He tests every day so that he can visit his wife in the hospice. I'm not sure if their procedures will change but at thd moment a negative lateral flow is required to get in.

Using4532 · 23/02/2022 11:20

I don't blame anyone for stockpiling if they use them, plenty of others will, no point in being virtuous in this sort of thing, if you don't take them you can be certain that others will so its not saving any money. I never test but got a pack just in case for medical appointments, expiry date is end of 2023.

CorrBlimeyGG · 23/02/2022 11:22

I've ordered some to pass on to a friend who needs them to visit his mum in a care home.

Lou98 · 23/02/2022 11:23

@NightmareSlashDelightful

Not at the moment. I'm in Scotland, and although Sturgeon has been not her most coherent on this so far, I understand we will continue to be able to get free LFTs for the time being. (I don't know how -- up to now we've ordered ours via the gov uk site like everyone else.)

But I've always said I won't pay for them once they start charging.

I am too - I assume it will be that they're still available to pick up from test centres/chemists etc like they have been just now. I'm not sure if we'll still be able to order them or not

fussychica · 23/02/2022 11:24

No. Only used 2 in the past month to test before meeting some clinically vulnerable family. Have 12 left so that should last us a good while as retired, social contact is usually well distanced. DS and partner both in roles where they are required to test regularly so will rely on them to continue testing when we meet up.
If we need to buy more we will as fortunate enough to be able to afford it.