Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be peeved that my kids refuse to be tested for Covid!

300 replies

sadpapercourtesan · 14/08/2020 11:45

We've been asked to be part of the testing programme as a family - we'd be tested every week for 5 weeks, then every month for 12 months. DH and I want to do it, particularly the antibody test as we'd like to know whether we've got immunity. Our boys (16 and nearly 18) refuse; DS1 doesn't fancy the nose swab and DS2 says he'd rather not know! So that's that Sad

Obviously it's their choice to make, but I'm peeved that DH and I won't get to participate now, as it has to be the whole family. Grrr.

OP posts:
InDeoEstMeaFiducia · 14/08/2020 14:17

@welshladywhois40

Yes you should be annoyed. It's 20 seconds of discomfort.

We are part of the weekly program and took our 7 year old for a test recently and she didn't make any fuss.

As a country we just need to get used to doing it

We need to get used to having medical procedures and tests on our bodies that we don't consent to? NO, 'we' really don't. It's not just 'discomfort' for some and it's besides the point, no one should ever be pressured, coerced or manipulated into having any test or procedure on their body they don't want and they don't need to give a reason why; no means no.

'My teen doesn't want to have an abortion, should I bribe her?' 'My son wants to be vaccinated against MMR but I'm an anti-vaxxer, what can I do to manipulate him into doing what I want?' 'My wife won't use the coil, doesn't want that in her body, she's being silly, it's seconds of discomfort, how can I bribe or manipulate her into doing what I want?' 'I want our son circumcised, my husband does not, how silly, it's just a piece of skin and over in seconds, hope he's open to bribes!'

Some people have lost the plot. Fucking terrifying.

InDeoEstMeaFiducia · 14/08/2020 14:18

@AllPlayedOut

I have about as much desire to go to Jersey as I have to go camping again or subscribe to a Joe Pasquale ASMR podcast.
😂😂😂
redbushtea · 14/08/2020 14:18

Their bodies, their choice.

redbushtea · 14/08/2020 14:19

Their bodies, their choice.

Casschops · 14/08/2020 14:19

We were asked to be tested as a family too. I would for myself but I couldn't put my four year old through it unnecessarily. I have now been swabbed three times for work so I know what yo expect. I do think they swabbed my brain to be honest (im joking)

Deardonkey · 14/08/2020 14:22

My family and I had the swabs yesterday as part of a study - we will also be having them weekly and then monthly. Most of us gagged but wasn’t that bad - the kids were very much motivated by the vouchers on offer, I’m interested to see whether any of us test positive without any symptoms.

romeolovedjulliet · 14/08/2020 14:22

what part do some peeps not understand - SOME PEOPLE DO NOT WANT THE FUCKING TEST - so to all those saying your're childish, selfish etc have YOU considered the fact YOU are bullying others on here making their own choices.

ScrapThatThen · 14/08/2020 14:23

I refused further routine testing at work because the swab went two inches further up beyond my nose than I was expecting and I was practically on the ceiling. I guess some practitioners are not putting it as far up.

cologne4711 · 14/08/2020 14:24

If it were a non-invasive test like the much heralded saliva test which never seems to arrive, I'd say the kids are being unreasonable. But I wouldn't have the current unpleasant test for the sake of it, so I certainly wouldn't impose it on my 17 year old.

If you want a test you can get one easily now, you don't have to be part of a programme and you don't even really have to have symptoms, you just register and go.

The antibody test may be available at your local GP (it is at mine) but you have to pay for it.

cologne4711 · 14/08/2020 14:26

I have about as much desire to go to Jersey as I have to go camping again or subscribe to a Joe Pasquale ASMR podcast

Good. All the more room for me when I next go as it's one of my favourite places. For those reading this who've not been, it's Cornwall with a French twist, and without the crowds. Bliss. Guernsey reminds me more of Devon.

pictish · 14/08/2020 14:28

Not sure why you’d want to participate but your idea of fun is different to mine.
I certainly don’t think your kids should agree to do it if they don’t want to.

cologne4711 · 14/08/2020 14:29

The test is uncomfortable, but seriously..they are teenagers, not little children! All this gagging and whatnot

I actually gag every time I clean my teeth. It's not funny at all and I am way past the little child and teen stages.

You would have it, fine. A lot of us will only have it if we have to.

jessstan2 · 14/08/2020 14:31

It doesn't hurt to have a nose swab, it only takes a couple of seconds and you can do it yourself. There's no raking around in the nostrils.

People are entitled to refuse to be tested but, quite honestly, if testing help anyone in any way it is surely worth doing and the quick procedure won't kill.

However you can't force them so just let it go.

jessstan2 · 14/08/2020 14:33

PS: I just want to add that it won't kill you not to participate so why worry. You can still be tested individually if it is important to you.

Onceuponatimethen · 14/08/2020 14:34

It really hurts

My dbro had one recently and said the swab hurt a lot!

Onceuponatimethen · 14/08/2020 14:34

They poke it incredibly high up though? It’s not the entrance to the nose they swab

Lucked · 14/08/2020 14:37

I would be a bit peeved too, because things like this help with screening community spread and for the most part we are limited in what we can contribute. I would hope my children would step up as young adults and be a bit more community minded. I am a bit ‘meh’ at the pleasantness of the test - it is just a little discomfort.

Of course they have to consent but is is disappointing.

LordOftheRingz · 14/08/2020 14:39

Its their body and their choice, all they owe anyone is to get tested if they have symptoms. If you want to do it then do it. Do you want to override their personal bodily autonomy.

OnTheFencePaint · 14/08/2020 14:39

I consider it a civic duty. If everyone refused testing we would not have the necessary statistics to run the country.

Obviously no one is going to be physically forced but I don’t see the harm in a little urging to do the right thing.

Having said that, the swab test up the nose is horrible and I can understand someone might not be physically able to relax enough, to let someone else stick it up their nose!

LordOftheRingz · 14/08/2020 14:41

@LordOftheRingz

Its their body and their choice, all they owe anyone is to get tested if they have symptoms. If you want to do it then do it. Do you want to override their personal bodily autonomy.
Ok you don't get to take part, but it is still their choice.
LordOftheRingz · 14/08/2020 14:42

@OnTheFencePaint

I consider it a civic duty. If everyone refused testing we would not have the necessary statistics to run the country.

Obviously no one is going to be physically forced but I don’t see the harm in a little urging to do the right thing.

Having said that, the swab test up the nose is horrible and I can understand someone might not be physically able to relax enough, to let someone else stick it up their nose!

It is duty to get tested if you have symptoms, NOT for other purposes.
smartiecake · 14/08/2020 14:42

The swab test is awful. The nurse did the throat one on me about 6 times and i was heavily retching and nearly vomited. Hideous and i would be very reluctant to have one again. Yabu to expect anyone else to have one

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 14/08/2020 14:44

@welshladywhois40

Yes you should be annoyed. It's 20 seconds of discomfort.

We are part of the weekly program and took our 7 year old for a test recently and she didn't make any fuss.

As a country we just need to get used to doing it

No, we really shouldn't have to get used to having procedures carried out against our will.
HMBB · 14/08/2020 14:44

@thirdfiddle

Thanks HMBB, that gives me some hope. Did you do it yourself or did a medic swab you? DH has failed with multiple attempts to get dental xrays for example, he can't get the xray plate in his mouth. I guess that's for longer, but he can't get it in at all without involuntary reflex ejecting it.
The first by a nurse before a hospital appointment and the second time myself as part of the random population sample.

I really do gag easily. I was retching and very close to actually vomiting this morning because I saw something unpleasant in a car park stairwell. Even a minute later I was till going once I was outside and a hundred yards up the street!

The swab is not pleasant but for me the gagging passed very quickly both times (not like today Confused) and the nasal discomfort too - really just a few seconds.

Hope he is ok.

LordOftheRingz · 14/08/2020 14:45

Testing is not without risk of injury. www.gulftoday.ae/news/2020/07/14/saudi-boy-dies-after-covid-19-swab-test-stick-breaks-inside-his-nose.

It is to be done as lawful when one has symptoms, it is not a 'easy process' as. some think it is.

If one wants. to participate in research then it is done with 'informed consent' and not under duress.

Swipe left for the next trending thread