Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Has anyone else never taken a Covid test?

91 replies

Comvit · 28/04/2022 16:44

I've never taken a Covid test. There are quite a few people around me - friends and family - who've also never taken one, or have taken one at a particular time for holidays and whatnot.

So I didn't think it was that unusual to have never taken a test. But a friend I met up with today was absolutely beside herself with shock that I've never tested.

Has anyone else never tested? Is it really that unusual to have never taken a Covid test?

OP posts:
TulipsGarden · 28/04/2022 16:49

My mum hadn't until this year, but that's because they basically shielded for two years and she didn't go anywhere to catch an illness, or risk picking up Covid.

Carrotten · 28/04/2022 16:51

Not even a lateral flow? Yeah I think that's weird, have you not left the house? Not visited anyone vunerable or been to any events? Not had a cold or sickness bug? Not travelled? Not worked?

KatherineJaneway · 28/04/2022 16:51

I think it is unusual from my general circle. I only took a few when it was the throat ones as it would make me throw up, but once the ones for the nose came in, I tested weekly.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Covid-19
Oblomov22 · 28/04/2022 16:53

Nope. Most people I know have taken none, or hardly any. I did one for travel. I wasn't visiting anyone vulnerable. So why would people?

TheChosenTwo · 28/04/2022 16:53

I’ve never had a PCR but have had to test twice weekly with my job since lateral flow tests were made widely available (last January perhaps?) and daily testing when there were positive cases in my class (so approximately 3 million tests 😁 )
also before family events with the older generations, just felt like the responsible thing to do, pretty much everyone did them for those.

NannyGythaOgg · 28/04/2022 16:54

I have had one - when attending hospital for some tests - tested whilst there not pretested.

Other than that I have never done one. Not isolated but retired so only real contact has been shopping and friends and family when allowed

Not had it either.

refreshingseahorse · 28/04/2022 16:54

DH hasn't. We don't have kids and we've been working from home so have managed to avoid it. I had to have one before an outpatient procedure last year, otherwise I would be a lateral flow virgin as well.

YukoandHiro · 28/04/2022 16:55

Weird to me but we have jobs, kids in school with constant viruses, friends who always checked before meeting when LFTs were free.
If you're not doing much maybe it's normal?

Pallisers · 28/04/2022 16:55

I had my first one in March of this year - to return to the US from Europe. My kids were being tested 3 times a week while in university. DH had a few too so he could go into work for events. I didn't need to so didn't.

Halfarsedjingler · 28/04/2022 16:56

Definatly unusual and if I'm honest if one of my friends said this I would think less of them, I know it is used less now but testing protects others not yourself.

Deadringer · 28/04/2022 16:56

I have never had a pcr but I do antigen tests regularly as I help care for my very elderly mum.

Original poster
Comvit · 28/04/2022 16:57

Carrotten · 28/04/2022 16:51

Not even a lateral flow? Yeah I think that's weird, have you not left the house? Not visited anyone vunerable or been to any events? Not had a cold or sickness bug? Not travelled? Not worked?

No, not lateral flows or PCRs.

I worked fully from home March 2020 to September 2021. I've been back in the office one or two days a week since then. Outside of lockdowns I've lived my life as normal, been to the odd event, been shopping, had nights out, seen friends, been to parties.

I haven't travelled but that's for various other non-Covid reasons.

OP posts:
godmum56 · 28/04/2022 16:59

neither I not my sib have had a test or either sort. We are both retired, not massive socialisers, haven't had symptoms (touching wood). I have got some LFT's, ordered when it was first possible in case I was asked to do one before being admitted somewhere I needed to go.

biggreenhouse · 28/04/2022 17:00

This is a weird brag that you didn't follow guidance really isn't it.. Good for you and yes thankfully most people have done them.

XenoBitch · 28/04/2022 17:00

I have not tested at all. Was taken to hospital last year and was surprised to have not even been tested then.

Original poster
Comvit · 28/04/2022 17:03

biggreenhouse · 28/04/2022 17:00

This is a weird brag that you didn't follow guidance really isn't it.. Good for you and yes thankfully most people have done them.

No. Not at all. I followed the law and guidance. I observed the lockdowns. I wore masks when required.

OP posts:
godmum56 · 28/04/2022 17:03

Halfarsedjingler · 28/04/2022 16:56

Definatly unusual and if I'm honest if one of my friends said this I would think less of them, I know it is used less now but testing protects others not yourself.

why would you think less of them if they hadn't needed to test? I get thinking less of people who "should but don't" but if you aren't in a situation where its necessary or sensible then why would you?

5zeds · 28/04/2022 17:04

Most people test before parties etc, but I guess if all your friends are young, healthy, vaccinated and not in contact with people who aren’t (is that likely??!!) then it’s fine.

larkstar · 28/04/2022 17:04

No. Never has any symptoms. I still avoid indoor events with lots of people - theatre, cinema, concerts, pubs, etc.

biggreenhouse · 28/04/2022 17:08

One of the points of the advice to test twice a week was to catch asymptomatic cases and stop you spreading it around the supermarket, your friends, work etc. so not sure why you wouldn't have done that.

InkyPinkyParlez · 28/04/2022 17:08

It seems alien to me but maybe we're in different worlds. I have kids at secondary school so it was absolutely routine for many months. I guess we are too quick to assume that other people do like we do.

Oblomov22 · 28/04/2022 17:11

@biggreenhouse "didn't follow guidance"? Surely that's factually incorrect?

TDCtomorrow · 28/04/2022 17:15

I've taken 2 LFT but only for a Dr appointment and a gig. Never because I thought I had it

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 28/04/2022 17:18

I work in a very large secondary we were asked to test twice a week throughout and some weeks when our cases were out of control every day… I wish I was in a privileged position to not have to test so often

Justri · 28/04/2022 17:19

No,never had any symptoms or need really🙄

Swipe left for the next trending thread