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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:
MarshaBradyo · 23/02/2022 11:24

No our main use was for school and I’m glad that’s stopping

Their value has gone up though in terms of demand - at the start many said they were useless etc

I get why people want them as obviously easier if free

I think we were one of few countries to offer them for free though

CornishGem1975 · 23/02/2022 11:24

@InDubiousBattle

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.
Yes, in the same position here but with a care home. I can't see it changing, they've not changed to allow more than one named visitor yet so can't see them dropping the testing requirement.
GestationalDiabetes · 23/02/2022 11:25

I’ve ordered one box this month as would anyway, used last test this am and need them for school. But wouldn’t order any extra and seems right to pay for them when that is needed.

rookiemere · 23/02/2022 11:26

@MrsPsmalls that's crazy. If your work requires you to do it, then they should pay for it, that is providing you're vaccinated.

camelfinger · 23/02/2022 11:27

No. I have a few left. If we’re going to live with covid, we have to accept that we might not know when we’ve got it, just like flu, chicken pox, other viruses etc.

PissedOffNeighbour22 · 23/02/2022 11:28

@Yicky Came on to say exactly this. Couldn't agree more.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 23/02/2022 11:37

Nope. I've only ever done 4 tests during this whole crazy period. Won't be doing anymore.

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 23/02/2022 11:41

@BigSandyBalls2015

Count yourself lucky, you must work in quite a safe environment and not have vulnerable loved ones

Svara · 23/02/2022 11:41

Because some places still may require you to test for entry. Eg sports competitions etc.
That's a personal choice and those people should pay for them themselves. The rest of us shouldn't be subsidising people who don't need them (anyone except the most vulnerable and healthcare workers).

RoobyMyrtle · 23/02/2022 11:47

I've a few in stock and will order as many as I can. I've got elderly, frail relatives, an immunocompromised friend I visit several times a week and a vulnerable work colleague . I've also got health issues but if I already had covid, testing and knowing that wouldn't help me, I'm more worried about other people. I can't afford to buy my own tests so will have to cut down visits which will effect my mental health and theirs.

rookiemere · 23/02/2022 11:51

@Svara it may be a personal choice to enter sports competitions, but once again it puts a cost barrier on participating and will result in the lowest earners not taking part.

Either LFTs are required or they are not. I can totally see why the government can't continue paying for them, but for that to work then workplaces and care homes etc need to stop requiring them. Maybe temperature checks would be a free way of doing it ( appreciate doesn't get all cases)

PeeAche · 23/02/2022 11:55

Nope, I have 2 packs of 5 in the cupboard that are leftover from when my work were doing compulsory testing (so they are not free ones anyway). These will be sufficient for when my husband and I need them for when I go into labour. And that's it. I'm done with testing anyway.

Willowwisp23 · 23/02/2022 11:56

What is wrong with people? Why on earth are there people testing daily, stockpiling, etc? Seriously, if this is you and you are not ecv you need to get your head out the sand and stop living your life in fear 🤦

DrMadelineMaxwell · 23/02/2022 11:59

I have 6 boxes but only because work kept giving me a box each time they gave all staff a box when I was still in my 90 days of not testing post-covid infection.
Dh and dd will use them, as will I, when school goes back.

Svara · 23/02/2022 12:01

@Svarait may be a personal choice to enter sports competitions, but once again it puts a cost barrier on participating and will result in the lowest earners not taking part.
That could be avoided by requiring any organisation that chooses to ask for tests to also provide them. They are only actually needed by the most vulnerable and their close contacts.

SoupDragon · 23/02/2022 12:03

[quote alltheapples]@Yicky yes I do want them for free and I am stockpiling them.[/quote]
Why do you think you should not have to pay?

xxxsuper · 23/02/2022 12:04

How did you manage that? You can only order one box every 72 hours.

Yes, but it's one box per person, not per household. You just order a box for more than one person.

PeeAche · 23/02/2022 12:05

@Willowwisp23

What is wrong with people? Why on earth are there people testing daily, stockpiling, etc? Seriously, if this is you and you are not ecv you need to get your head out the sand and stop living your life in fear 🤦
I agree. It's madness. Wasteful. Paranoid. Virtue signalling. Madness.
SoupDragon · 23/02/2022 12:06

All the selfish idiots stockpiling them mean that those who need them struggle get them. It's what happened over Christmas.

Selfish in the extreme.

Svara · 23/02/2022 12:08

@SoupDragon

All the selfish idiots stockpiling them mean that those who need them struggle get them. It's what happened over Christmas.

Selfish in the extreme.

I agree.

I think free tests should have been stopped without warning so no panic ordering could occur. The remaining tests could then be provided to those who actually need them.

RockstarDotCom · 23/02/2022 12:09

What is wrong with people? Why on earth are there people testing daily, stockpiling, etc? Seriously, if this is you and you are not ecv you need to get your head out the sand and stop living your life in fear

If people have vulnerable family and friends, I think it’s understandable they want to test.
I test regularly as I’m not vaccinated so I test before I go anywhere I’ll be mixing. I’m not sure how that means I’m living my life in fear. I will be buying tests to continue testing once I’ve ran out.

Sally872 · 23/02/2022 12:12

I want to Ltf before seeing elderly parents. I don't want them to get it. If they have it I am worried about them not about them passing it to me. I need the test to protect them more than the other way round so I don't see the logic in vulnerable only getting tests unless it is so they can give tests to visitors.

I can afford to buy tests but expect many won't.

Original poster
alltheapples · 23/02/2022 12:14

@xxxsuper

How did you manage that? You can only order one box every 72 hours.

Yes, but it's one box per person, not per household. You just order a box for more than one person.

Not true. My DP tried to order and it said as I had ordered 48 hours ago, we had to wait. Based on same address.
OP posts:
Original poster
alltheapples · 23/02/2022 12:15

Virtually the only people who will still get them next month are those who pay. That is not the same as those in need.

OP posts:
Svara · 23/02/2022 12:16

@alltheapples

Virtually the only people who will still get them next month are those who pay. That is not the same as those in need.
I thought all over 80s could get them?