To not tell everyone about every test...

[Veryverycalmnow]

I have been having regular covid tests since around April on our doorstep along with husband to help with research into covid for the office for national statistics. They don't contact us after a test (unless a positive result). This was all very uneventful and obviously, with no symptoms, we carried on as normal with our lives. We were told to do so by the researchers. I didn't think anything of it when we had our tests a few weeks ago. I carried on with life as normal, which involved a hairdressers appointment, child attending nursery, going to shops, work etc. I had no symptoms. I'm strict about the rules. Social distancing, masks not mixing. Not seen my mum for nearly a year etc.
So a few days later, I got a text to say I had a positive result. I thought it was a scam at first as I'd felt healthier than I'd been in ages. Obviously we all immediately self- isolated.
I didn't wait around for the test track and trace or whatever it's called, so contacted hairdressers and nursery myself to tell them straight away. Both were really annoyed with me and said that we shouldn't have attended after doing a test. But surely I was no more at risk than the next person. Would they rather not know that I'd had it? If I'd not been part of this research I'd have still visited the same places except have no idea I'd had it and then continued to spread it around...
Now I feel really guilty for the whole thing, but I know deep down I didn't do anything wrong. If I announced each time I was tested, would everywhere say I couldn't go in? What do you think? Also had guilt for time off work. Aaargh. Am I being unreasonable to feel a bit disgruntled about their reactions? I'm thinking I'll stop being part of the research, but wanted to help somehow, so I'm torn!

That's shocking @Veryverycalmnow

Imagine having that much of a lack of comprehension (them, not you!).

You did nothing wrong. The only pity is that you contacted them directly, rather than allowing the tracing team to do it, who presumably wouldn't have disclosed your details.

The hair salon is a disgrace - cancelling your next appt 😳

I would forward them a link to the national testing scheme. There must be a page which explains how it works.

Nursery said they may not be able to keep DS's place if we continue with testing and kept saying it was a risk.

Surely they can’t do that? Plenty of people have to be tested regularly because of their jobs. NHS workers, care workers etc. They can’t expect them to find alternative childcare. And now you’ve had it, you’re less of a risk than people that haven’t. Bizarre.

How are you unlucky enough to have a Hairdresser and Nursery staff with zero comprehension skills?

I swear to god covid is making people absolutely crazy. You have done absolutely NOTHING wrong here! And the idea from the nursery that you have tests is creating a risk, where is the logic in that?!!! Surely it’s the complete opposite!!

People should be thankful that people like yourself are willing to have tests, and take part in research.

Surely you are LOWER risk if you keep testing as you would know if you had it? Surely nursery can't insist on this.

It is very strange, maybe they haven't heard of the government testing.

I agree! I felt sorry for them (both) as I think covid fear/ anxiety had definitely got the better of them. It's difficult to get your head round a lot of the rules and guidance and I understand businesses are having a rough time, but it was/ is definitely an over- reaction. Thanks for helping!

That's pretty poor of the businesses involved. You're doing a good thing be being tested and I know another family doing the same.

I suggest maybe you put it in writing to the nursery because they are behaving unreasonably. As others say you are actually a better risk because you'll know if you have asymptomatic covid. You could even prevent an outbreak at the nursery

That's batshit. My employer gets tested weekly/fortnightly (cant rmemebrr) she obviously isn't isolating after every test. No symptoms. That's the whole point! They are being really daft here

Both your nursery and your hairdresser have totally misunderstood and are being completely ridiculous! I have a friend doing the weekly doorstep testing and otherwise she carries on as normal. If you isolated after every weekly test you’d literally go nowhere .

Can you get someone from the test centre to contact them and explain them to very slowly and in using words with one syllable how thick they’re being .

Wow! I'd find another hairdresser if I was you!
Strange response from the nursery too. Our school have been sending letters to say if anyone has symptoms and/or waiting for test results the whole house has to isolate UNLESS YOU ARE BEING TESTED AS PART OF THE NHS ETC!

Over 400,000 people in England are taking part in this.

If I were you, I'd get the Office for National Statistics to drop the Nursery an email.

What you should have done was said you developed symptoms the next day and tested then. Re the nursery, it’s super unlikely you’ll get another positive after already having it so I’d keep testing for the research , not tell them but if I got another positive I’d use my suggestion next time About saying symptoms happened after and you were tested after

Lots of people have to test regularly without symptoms. Care home staff get regular tests, my sister is done weekly. Just explain that you are tested regularly and have not had symptoms

Hi @Veryverycalmnow we are doing the same tests in our household and not isolating as we have no symptoms. The person who attended our doorstep for our first visit & tests told us if we get a positive test he recommends also getting NHS test as they have had cases of false positives so it might be worth a double check for your own peace of mind/clarity. However, completely agree with all others that they haven’t understood the nature of the test

The usual rule is to have a test if you have symptoms, or had contact with someone who tested positive. But in this case neither are true. Did they not give you specific guidance about this? Pretty crass if they haven't.