Are people just not testing for covid any more?

[fleurdelee]

I have cold like symptoms with head and achiness
Should I just have gone into work anyway?

I think it's extremely selfish to go to work if you are Covid positive but if I've only got a cold or flu I could not afford to take a day off. Maybe that's selfish but for me sometimes it's the difference between being able to make the rent that month.

I had a cold recently (after a negative LFT result) and just stayed away from others with a mask on.

We test when we have cold symptoms. We had nothing for 2.5 years and then last week we all came down with it. My son and I are still testing positive so are waiting it out as we don't want to get anyone else sick. He's also not allowed to return to childcare provider until his test is negative.

Lots of people I know, including ourselves test. I work for a large pharmacy and tests sell out within hours of being placed on the shelves.

Shame on those companies profiting from the fear that was instilled in others and can still be seen today. So many companies got very very rich from this, it’s scandalous, playing on people like that.

I never have, not gonna start now

You do realise the vaccines aren’t to stop you getting covid, right? They don’t make you immune.

They make it easier for your body to deal with so it’s not likely to be life threatening.

I agree. I’ve never tested and never will. No one in our family have succumbed to the lies and the fear mongering.

Not everyone gets paid sick leave. If you're self-employed, you're working.

Exactly. How are we still having this conversation this far on?? Madness.

We test. I don't want to spread it if I have it. Guess those that cannot wfh with it could try to limit interactions elsewhere and wear a decent mask and let colleagues know. I'm grateful to those that are still able or willing to test as guess we'd be even more fucked (health and economy wise) if everyone carried on as normal whilst infectious.

I’ve got a horrible cold at the minute. I’ve tested but it’s negative. I wouldn’t want to infect anyone with what I have. We bought some more tests last night because I’m seeing elderly relatives at the weekend (or meant to be) and I know they would want the peace of mind that it’s not covid but as I said, I wouldn’t want to give anyone this and won’t travel if I still feel like I do. So testing is somewhat redundant.

So could going to see them with a cold, flu, or anything else. And you can carry those without symptoms too.

But on the OPs question, I find it perverse but not unexpected that we are back to "should I go to work when I'm ill? " as if Covid invented the notion that going to work when I'll and spreading disease to colleagues was previously a good idea that has come again. And it isn't just a question of pay - where I work we get full pay and there's still a sense of gracious martyrdom around going to work despite being ill.

Nope 🤣

My neighbour is positive for Covid. And still went to work today as a cleaner in the local primary school. She's coughing her lungs up but won't be paid if she doesn't go in. The head teacher knows. Neighbour is in early morning, lunchtime and again after 3 so she is definitely around both kids and teachers.

So good luck to all the staff, parents and kids in that school this week!

So could going to see them with a cold, flu, or anything else. And you can carry those without symptoms too.

Unfortunately there is nothing I can do about that but if I was able to test for those things too I would. The fact that covid tests are available means I can do my best not to pass that on to them.

Well people aren’t dying or even getting seriously ill at the same rate they were before vaccines so I think it lessens the illness.

Dd doesn’t test as she’s supposed to go into work even if positive, Barista.

Definitely not testing
Don’t know anyone in real life who is,apart from a friend of a friend who is neurotic

I’m not

I’ll stay in if I feel ill and go out if I feel ok

the same risk assessment I carried out before 2020 and everyone losing their minds.

Nope not testing. If I am too ill to work it doesn't matter if it is cold/flu/covid. If I am well enough for work then I will go. If I was a little unwell I would stay in my office and practice good hygiene.

Now that it has been down graded and isolation isn't enforced, l don't see the point.

As a PP wrote, if you're vulnerable anyway - anything could kill you... even diseases like chickenpox.

Patients in my hospital are not being tested unless they show symptoms. However... if the staff test positive..whether they are ill or not.... they are not allowed to work. This then goes down as sickleave and makes the staff one step closer to Disciplinary measures.

Surely just use your common sense. If you feel unwell then you would stay at home anyway? We don’t test for other Illnesses. It is just a cold for the majority anyway.

i do. dc is in a care home, so do it before seeing them. manager gives me tests.

Adding to that the vulnerable and older are entitled to the vaccine so they are protected by that surely.

So are lots of illnesses - polio etc. Initially anyway. Even with chickenpox we don't (well most don't) send kids into school until spots have scabbed over, even if they feel fine within a couple of days.

I test as I teach a hobby to a number of retired and vulnerable people. I don't think I would otherwise.