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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to get a Covid test once a week

196 replies

eagle27 · 14/01/2021 13:31

New dp has an underlying health condition to do with his breathing, not classed as shielding but could be very bad if he got covid.

At first we were extremely careful only meeting outdoors etc but he was completely on his own over Christmas due to family living in London. He really wanted to see me indoors so after my ds went off to his dads, I got a covid test, it came back negative the next day so I went and saw dp and stayed over.

Did the same thing last week, ds goes to his dads on a Thursday so I got tested then and saw dp after result came back on Saturday. Dp now wants me to start doing this every week so we can see each other as he is really struggling atm. Me taking the tests isn't his idea - he isn't bothered either way, but I was refusing to see him indoors early on because if I passed it to him and he became seriously ill/died I would never forgive myself. so this is the only way I personally am willing to see him.

AIBU to keep doing this? Will I flag up anywhere if I continue to get tested every week? I'm worried the test centre might challenge me and I don't want to get in trouble. I know tests are only supposed to be for people with symptoms but I think our circumstances are quite unique. I am also actually classed as a key worker but I WFH.
There is the option when booking a test to state whether you are a key worker but I normally tick "no" in case they notify my work I keep getting these tests. So I just claim to have symptoms instead and am now worried its logging the fact that I apparently have symptoms every week...

So my question is AIBU to book another test today, I am currently in two minds about whether or not to do it as scared of repercussions.

OP posts:
JerichosPenisInADeadChickHat · 14/01/2021 14:08

"I think our circumstances are quite unique"

Well think again. You've been dating someone for a couple of months, he's not on the shielded list anyway. What makes you think you're so different to anyone else?

Stop wasting resources and peoples valuable time

MattWanksock · 14/01/2021 14:08

The test won't help you if you're incubating so is a completely pointless waste of time and money. Just go see him without it. I assume you've set up a support bubble with him if he lives alone?

Tenyearsgone · 14/01/2021 14:08

@kingkuta

In my area they say two asymptomatic tests a week per person and recommend you have at least 1 a week and 2 if you are close contact with vulnerable people Yep. Most people I know have weekly tests here. LF tests, walk in, results in 30 mins and available to everyone. I think a lot of people on MN are stuck back in the early days Mar/Apr when there just weren't any tests available
Same here. Anyone can get a test.
MattWanksock · 14/01/2021 14:08

P.S nobody has been unnecessarily harsh. It's a really stupid question.

Timeforredwine · 14/01/2021 14:09

If you are allowed to bubble anyway then its upto you, you dont necessarily need to test. But it certainly is not selfish to do so. Lots of people are continuing to work, they are not all tested. Perhaps they should be being tested at these centres. It's a minefield and most people are doing what they think best in their own situation.

JerichosPenisInADeadChickHat · 14/01/2021 14:10

"I think a lot of people on MN are stuck back in the early days Mar/Apr when there just weren't any tests available"

I think you're stuck in the centre of your own universe. If you look outside of it you'll see many areas where the rapid tests for all are still not available

2bazookas · 14/01/2021 14:13

Why don't you sign up to the ONS covid survey? (Office of National Statistics) . Get PAID to be regularly COVID tested in the comfort of your own home.

VeganCow · 14/01/2021 14:18

Seeing as up to a 3rd of covid tests are false neg yabu

Siepie · 14/01/2021 14:23

Your circumstances aren't unique at all.

Thousands of people are separated from their partners, including partners they've been with for years. If you can legally bubble then you're in a better position than a lot of people.

Pay for a private test, or use asymptomatic testing if it's available in your area. Don't use up symptomatic NHS capacity because you think you're special.

countbackfromten · 14/01/2021 14:24

I can’t believe you think this is reasonable. I’m actually astonished at how selfish it is.

slashlover · 14/01/2021 14:26

I know tests are only supposed to be for people with symptoms but I think our circumstances are quite unique.

I'm single OP. I saw my parents for 5 minutes on the doorstep on Christmas Day and before that it was August. The last face to face conversation I had with anyone was Christmas Day with my sister (unless you count 4 minutes with the nurse getting my blood pressure taken), and I don't know when the next one will be as I have been furloughed until at least March.

But you're obviously special.

Roussette · 14/01/2021 14:26

You've only been together since August?? Shock

For goodness sake, how in god's name can you think this is reasonable? Even having had those two tests with no symptoms is wrong. Tests aren't there to facilitate a social life.

And to the PP who said everyone should be able to do this... well, they can't. So they shouldn't.

Scaredykittycat · 14/01/2021 14:28

A waste of a test and money for the nhs which is on its knees. I’m sure I read somewhere that processing tests costs approx £80? Could have made that up.

If you want to keep having tests then I suggest you start paying for them. Private tests are readily available at around £120 a time.

Or I suggest you isolate if you want to see your partner.

MrsTerryPratchett · 14/01/2021 14:29

I haven't seen my parents in months. I'm not special and unique.

This is shit for everyone.

You're also buggering up the statistics by lying.

Timeflyin · 14/01/2021 14:31

Joke right? Biscuit

thirdfiddle · 14/01/2021 14:35

I don't think it's on to unilaterally decide you want asymptomatic testing if you're not in an area that's doing community testing. There are lots of people who'd like that reassurance but are following the rules and not getting tested. People who have reason to think they might have been in contact who are isolating and not geing offered tests unless they show symptoms. People living full time with partners like your bf who are expected to go out to work and not tested.
If they have capacity and if it is seen to do any good they will roll out community testing across the country. That's not happened yet, you should follow the rules.
Being a bubble together is fine. But then you just act as if you were living together in terms of the precautions you take. You're effectively one household.

Thebig3 · 14/01/2021 14:36

I dont understand why you can't just form a support bubble? Why do you need to have a test?

You say he has an underlying condition but isn't on the shielding list so surely forming bubble would work?

Metallicalover · 14/01/2021 14:37

YABU getting tests weekly. People are waiting for results to come back who have symptoms and if everyone did this (I don't think your circumstances are unique at all!! A hell of a lot of people are carers/support for their vulnerable relatives who are shielding) the labs would be overwhelmed.
Also your only negative from the time you take the test. So even before you get the results you could have covid!

UncleBillsSpunkBucket · 14/01/2021 14:38

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Timeforredwine · 14/01/2021 14:39

Local hubs are being put into place and councils are asking people to get routinley tested due to the ASYMPTOMATIC people regardless of whether you stay at home or are bubbling or working or going to school etc.

RandomUsernameHere · 14/01/2021 14:39

YABU I expect they are incredibly stretched as it is without people doing this. You should be paying to have it done privately.

Onjnmoeiejducwoapy · 14/01/2021 14:40

The only thing unique about your circumstances is your sense of entitlement.

Are you lying to get the tests, claiming you have symptoms in order to get one? If you live in an area that has excess tests and are allowing anyone without symptoms who wants one to have one, then there’s no issue there. However if you’re taking appointments off people who need tests and making the public pay for this, it’s a joke. How would the system keep functioning if everyone did this? I don’t know a single person who doesn’t have as strong a case to get tested weekly.

LakieLady · 14/01/2021 14:40

Hmmm, 199 to 1 say YABU.

Possibly the nearest to a unanimous vote I've ever seen on here. That speaks volumes.

Timeforredwine · 14/01/2021 14:40

That is purely for people who are ASYMPTOMATIC NOT if you have symptoms.

Timeforredwine · 14/01/2021 14:42

We have received emails from our local council to go and get tests if you are ASYMPTOMATIC whether you are staying in 24/7 or not.