To wonder why 100 people would go to A&E for covid tests?!

[TableFlowerss]

Just heard on the news. I could understand 1/2 people thinking it might be a good idea but 100 people wandering to A&E to try and get tests??!

What on earth are people thinking? And folk wonder why it’s spreading like wildfire when so many people clearly though that was a good idea....🙈🙈🙈

I know people were being falsely told to go to A&E at our local test centre. This was just to get rid of them.

I wonder if there was a social media rumour that this was a way to get tested.

[quote FrankiesKnuckle]@FatCatThinCat You'd be surprised. Seriously.
People do go to ED for a jolly, the same ones that'll order a deliveroo of KFC and leave the bones all over the place. It happens. [/quote]
I heard from a nurse acquaintance working in A and E that this sort of behaviour had gone way down since coronavirus though? People not turning up unless they really felt they had no alternative because they were scared.

@RepeatSwan

Rather than blaming the pretty small number of people, take a look at what the hell is wrong with Britain that people might end up in rent arrears or unable to feed their family if they self-isolate. The pandemic in the UK has shown how broken our welfare state, health, social care and social work systems are.

Every single word of this. People are desperate. There’s a fuck tonne of people who cannot work from home and a fuck tonne of people who don’t get paid sick leave. Not everyone’s husband earns a six figure salary.

Because they are desperate, isolate for 2 weeks and lose pay or have a test and hopefully get back to work within a few days so they can pay their rent and feed their children. I can understand why somebody would, not everybody lives in middle class Mumsnet world.

I don’t blame them - what were they meant to do when they needed a test in a hurry so they could go to work and get paid.

Some Muppet will have posted on a local hub that it was the way to get a test.

Because there are no tests for fucks sake. People are desperate to get back to normal and the government are doing fuck all of any use. Maybe you should look that way instead of the people who are turning up to A&E.

Oh this is so sad :(

I imagine it is happening across the country.

@DumplingsAndStew

What did all these people do back in March when tests were only being given to those who were hospitalised?

2 weeks ssp

@SimpleComforts

Desperation because they can't earn a living without a test?

Can you really say you wouldn't try it if you were living hand to mouth and were forced to take time off work until tested?

I can honesty say I wouldn’t go to A&E in the hope they would give ‘just me’ one. NHS staff can’t even get tested

@ShesMadeATwatOfMePam

Because there are no tests for fucks sake. People are desperate to get back to normal and the government are doing fuck all of any use. Maybe you should look that way instead of the people who are turning up to A&E.

The don’t get tested though do they..... do it’s completely pointless

I’d be very surprised if they actually got tested in A&E. I sat in a covid zone with my child for 5 hours being observed/assessed yesterday and they weren’t going to test him until I begged because I’m an essential worker who needs to get back to work. They said they don’t test unless the child is actually being admitted.

@OpenlyGayExOlympicFencer Yes, ED attendances went right down from early April-ish, it was bloody lovely! I don't work on ED, but I take people there (paramedic)
Very little in the way self presentations and the 999 call rate went down dramatically. Pretty much the only people that called or self presented to the ED were GENUINE!
Where I work in London, it's largely returned to the old normal. Packed out waiting rooms and total nonsense calls on the 9s.
Callers tend to fabricate and/or elaborate symptoms to get an ambulance response.
Told a fair few people in the last week that they won't in fact get tested for covid with their ultra mild symptoms. 😡

I don’t blame them - what were they meant to do when they needed a test in a hurry so they could go to work and get paid.

You won’t get a test if you turn up though.

I can honesty say I wouldn’t go to A&E in the hope they would give ‘just me’ one. NHS staff can’t even get tested

Yes but you're obviously of vastly superior intellect to those living day to day in minimum wage jobs with no sick pay

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Why are posters saying these people are stupid! They 100% aren’t - I’m sure you would do the same if you couldn’t get a test at a test centre or at home. They didn’t have any alternative options.

@SimpleComforts

I can honesty say I wouldn’t go to A&E in the hope they would give ‘just me’ one. NHS staff can’t even get tested

Yes but you're obviously of vastly superior intellect to those living day to day in minimum wage jobs with no sick pay

And you’re obviously psychic to assume you know anything about my life and circumstances.

People up and down the country are desperate for tests - it doesn’t matter if you’re on the verge of losing your job, they won’t say ‘come on then, have a test’....

If someone’s on £50k salary, if they lose their job, they’ll be as stuck as the next person.

@Parker231

Why are posters saying these people are stupid! They 100% aren’t - I’m sure you would do the same if you couldn’t get a test at a test centre or at home. They didn’t have any alternative options.

Thgey don’t get tested in A&E either..........

I think when you're desperate to keep your job, pay the bills, you try anything, even things you know/expect won't work. Even if it's only so you can tell your boss you tried.

Can you really not empathise with these people OP? Is this world really so alien to you?

@SimpleComforts

I think when you're desperate to keep your job, pay the bills, you try anything, even things you know/expect won't work. Even if it's only so you can tell your boss you tried.

Can you really not empathise with these people OP? Is this world really so alien to you?

I can empathise with not being able to get a test, absolutely. Had to get one on Monday for one of my DC. It was awful and took me until Tuesday morning to get something. I’ve had to take time off work to care for them and I could lose my job.

It is a complete mess and I understand why everyone is frustrated and pissed off. The whole thing is a joke!

I still wouldn’t rock up at A&E though because I would know that it’s completely pointless because they won’t do it there.

I am a key worker. I've worked all year save for my days off and holidays. I have regular contact with members of the public and i've been outside the uk on holiday. I'm not worried about covid,nor do i feel the need to have a test.

@Arnoldthecat - if you develop symptoms you will have to get a test or you won’t be able to work for two weeks of self isolation.