Mum with asthma and a new cough refuses to get a test

[softandfloofy]

I phoned my 65yo Mum today, she mentioned she had a cough and our conversation went like this...

"A cough? Oh, maybe its covid? What about a test?"

"No no, it's just a chest infection I have, I usually get them this time of year"

"It could be covid, might be worth getting a test to be sure, the tests are free and really easy to do"

"But then I might have to self isolate"

"????"

"And anyway I cant get a test I'm too busy"

"Too busy? Doing what?"

"I have loads to do before lockdown on Thursday, I have a hair appointment tomorrow, all the gym classes I booked which I have to make the most of, sort out all this mess from the cancelled holidays. Anyway what really matters is how many people are dying, and all the statistics are fake anyway, they just record people as dying with covid not from covid. I'm sure I dont have it"

I was lost for words! AIBU? Can anyone shed some light on this situation? Mum has gone from being terrified and afraid in March to being completely flippant about everything??

@Noitjustwontdo

It is coughing season for asthmatics and she knows her body well so I’m assuming she’s coughing up phlegm which is a productive cough. Covid coughs are dry and often accompanied with other symptoms such as body aches, fatigue and a temperature.

The guidance makes no distinction between types of cough. Anyone with a new cough or worsening of an existing cough needs to isolate and get tested.

Yes, most people in OP's mother's shoes will have something other than covid. But the occasional one will have it and can't go wandering around spreading it because they get a cough every year.

If she gets the same cough every year then I would trust what she says.

I heard of someone who only had a runny nose, took a test which was positive.

My sister also has the same attitude with regards to died of covid or died with covid it makes me want to scream.

Similar here. Parent with cough, high temp, lost smell/taste
Refused to get test, refused to isolate

Does she read the Daily Mail? A family member does and there seems to be a sudden rash of Opinion pieces decrying lockdown and talking about fudged scaremongering winter death figures. Clearly someone high up is very worried about losing a lot of money and has an interest in persuading their vulnerable readership it’s all been blown out of proportion. Absolutely cynical.

Reading this thread it's very clear why we are facing another lockdown. All these experts are able to diagnose a cough as "not Covid" without a test. Makes me wonder why we bother having a testing system at all!

Someone has linked above but I will C&P below. It is very clear that any new, continuous cough needs a test. It doesn't matter if you think you know what it is.

I think the guides that have been put about to try and get people to identify covid vs cold vs flu are spectacularly unhelpful. The truth is someone with covid can have symptoms ranging from nothing through, cold symptoms, to being seriously ill. The only way you can know for sure is by testing. Limiting tests to the three symptoms listed below is just a way of rationing tests. As it stands though if you have those symptoms you must get a test and you must self-isolate. You absolutely shouldn't be deciding without having a test that you know you don't have covid. I know it's a PITA. I've been through it myself with my dc who had their usual seasonal cough. But we followed procedure and had them tested because that is what needs to be done!

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Check if you or your child has coronavirus symptoms
If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), get a test as soon as possible. Stay at home until you get the result.

Main symptoms
The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.

What to do if you have symptoms
If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:

Get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible.
You and anyone you live with should stay at home and not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.

Anyone in your support bubble should also stay at home if you have been in close contact with them since your symptoms started or during the 48 hours before they started.

@Rollmopsrule

If she gets the same cough every year then I would trust what she says.

But it's not the same cough each year. It's an asthma exacerbation caused by a different virus(es) each year. No one can know if the virus causing the exacerbation this year is covid without a test. Yes, if it's a productive cough it's likely it's not covid, but it's still possible. Heck, even if it's a persistent dry cough there's every likelihood it's not covid. But we still need to check.

Yes it's a pain in the arse.