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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask guests to take lateral flow test?

203 replies

Blue1212 · 05/07/2021 11:28

It's our sons 1st birthday party on Saturday and we are planning a get together in the back garden.

We don't have a massive garden, and although we won't be going over the numbers allowed, it could be difficult for everyone to distance.

My brother qmd his family, has just phoned up to cancel as their daughter has just tested positive for covid, and our dd's school has sent home two classes from her year group today.

Aibu to ask all adults attending take a lft as a precaution?

OP posts:
Acunningruse · 05/07/2021 11:38

Yes. You are either comfortable mixing with people within the permitted rules (outside, within numbers) or you're not, in which case, cancel the party.

skippy67 · 05/07/2021 11:40

@Acunningruse

Yes. You are either comfortable mixing with people within the permitted rules (outside, within numbers) or you're not, in which case, cancel the party.
Exactly this.
Pinchoftums · 05/07/2021 11:41

Ask away. It's an added precaution that could knock out someone with covid. No idea why anyone would object.

Medievalist · 05/07/2021 11:41

They're so unreliable I'm not sure there would be much point.

Aprilx · 05/07/2021 11:43

YABU. I know it is a cliche but we do have to start to learn to live with it. If you are not ready for that, then don’t have a party.

PurpleDaisies · 05/07/2021 11:43

The people that would do one are probably already doing them twice a week anyway. I’m not sure you’d get much compliance from others.

pinkpanther84 · 05/07/2021 11:44

I don't see the harm in asking, I'll be doing the same for my wedding in a few weeks

00100001 · 05/07/2021 11:47

@Pinchoftums

Ask away. It's an added precaution that could knock out someone with covid. No idea why anyone would object.
Because

  1. no guarantee that the test was taken properly. Therefore no guarantee that the negative is negative.

  2. no guarantee that the people are being honest about results.

  3. even with a negative t at, there's no guarantee that they don't have covid.

  4. causes a false sense of security that "everyone is negative"

  5. people can't be expected to take a LFT, then isolate strictly just to go to a birthday party.

Cosybelles · 05/07/2021 11:47

How will you know they've done the test? Or done it correctly, or that it wasn't a false negative? It's really not worth the hassle.

sunnysidegold · 05/07/2021 11:47

You can ask.....but be ready for people to decline and then not attend because of it.

Your house your rules. But you can't get cross if others don't want to follow them.

PurpleDaisies · 05/07/2021 11:48

people can't be expected to take a LFT, then isolate strictly just to go to a birthday party.
Why would people need to isolate?

00100001 · 05/07/2021 11:49

And also, be prepared for people to pull out

MrsPsmalls · 05/07/2021 11:51

Absolutely I would ask. It's protects them as much as you and if they don't like it they dont have to come. Your party your rules. I've been to two events now (family parties) where we all had to test before going in.

PurpleDaisies · 05/07/2021 11:51

How does it protect them @MrsPsmalls?

PurpleDaisies · 05/07/2021 11:53

Oh, you mean if everyone takes them they’re more protected.

PurpleSunrise · 05/07/2021 11:57

I’ve been asked if I don’t mind taking one before a party, I don’t mind at all - of course they aren’t the most reliable and doesn’t guarantee anything but it helps!

00100001 · 05/07/2021 11:58

@PurpleDaisies

people can't be expected to take a LFT, then isolate strictly just to go to a birthday party. Why would people need to isolate?
Because if you take the test on say Friday, and the party is on Sunday. You'd need to isolate? Because it doesn't show positive until a couple of days after you're infected...

So if you take test in Sunday morning, having caught it from Tesco on Saturday afternoon, and are negative, you might actually be positive, and it wouldn't show until later.

So you'd have to ideally isolate in Friday and Saturday, take test on Sunday and then go to party if negative.

Lavender24 · 05/07/2021 11:59

I mean you can ask but be prepared for people to back out and not come (which is what I would do).

MouldyPotato · 05/07/2021 11:59

No harm in asking. But to be honest it sounds like the risk is from your daughter if the school are sending home classes.

missymousey · 05/07/2021 12:00

I wouldn't come.

Geamhradh · 05/07/2021 12:00

It's been pretty much the norm where I am since restrictions started to ease. Seems sensible to me.

Coriandersucks · 05/07/2021 12:01

What proof will you ask for that they’ve done it?

Hotcuppatea · 05/07/2021 12:01

I remember before Covid when the climate emergency and plastic waste was high on the agenda. That seems to have gone out the window now where people seem happy to take these tests when the risk is low and not think twice about all the plastic waste it is generating.

loubylou1010 · 05/07/2021 12:02

Nope I wouldn't be going if asked me to do a test.

valnevavaxx · 05/07/2021 12:02

"We have to learn to live with it"- surely taking basic precautionary measures is the way to learn to live with it? Learning to live with it isn't the same as just pretending it doesn't exist anymore.

Seems like a sensible suggestion OP- people who really don't want to want come, or maybe they'll lie, but if it even catches on asymptomatic case that will save the entire party having to isolate.