to wonder who is right in this disagreement?

[WiganDiva]

Just had a conversation with my cousin, who is coming on Xmas Day with her family. There will be twelve in total. She mentioned in passing about doing a LFT on Xmas Eve.

It turns out her family are doing LFTs before they go anywhere and meet anyone. And, crucially, she assumes everyone else is doing the same.

We only test when we’ve been a close contact (or symptoms) and are otherwise carrying on with our lives. No one we’ve met or are planning to meet has asked us about LFTs beforehand.

She says this no one asks because everyone is doing them and it’s a given. I think no one asks because everyone is doing what they feel comfortable with and would explicitly ask if they wanted everyone they were meeting to have done a LFT first.

What do you think? This is not about the rights/wrongs of testing but about what people are assuming about other people.

My assumption is that people are only doing LFTs if they mention having done so.

None of the people Ive met with recently have mentioned LFTs so I presume they havent done any.

Why would you NOT test regularly?

Judging by how quickly its spreading i would assume people are not no.

LFT before family gathering , it’s the right thing to do

Everyone I know is doing LFTs twice a week, and especially if they are going out to meet people indoors.

It wouldn't occur to me that someone wasn't.

Why would you NOT test regularly?

Are you saying you believe that everyone is definitely testing regularly, to the point you are so confident of this fact that you don't feel the need to check with anyone before socialising in an enclosed space with them?

Yes definitely doing them if meeting others.

If it were important to me, I would make it explicit. But in general I would think that most people I am likely to meet are testing several times a week and certainly before meeting up with a group indoors. I wouldn't assume it, but I think it's most probably the case.

You’re right that one should not assume people will to the responsible and common sense thing of doing an LFT before mixing households. But YABU to be so petty. Just do an LFT.

I do an LFT everytime I leave the house and everytime someone visits. I also check with the person I'm seeing that they've done one, but I don't associate with any idiots that refuse to test. Why wouldn't you do tests before meeting indoors?

I'd just do it. Puts everyone's minds at rest for a mere inconvenience

@LonginesPrime

Are you saying you believe that everyone is definitely testing regularly, to the point you are so confident of this fact that you don't feel the need to check with anyone before socialising in an enclosed space with them?

Absolutely not. That's why I test regularly.

It's called personal responsibility.

I test for work but besides that only test if I have symptoms or have recently been in a big crowd, not every time I see people indoors, and don’t know anyone who does. So certainly wouldn’t assume this is something people are doing.

I don't assume anything regarding the wider population, but I know within my family and friends group it is common to test regularly, and definitely if meeting others indoors.

Your cousin is right - you should be testing any time you're meeting people you don't see regularly. You shouldn't wait to be asked.

I test twice weekly for work, and more often if I've been on a work trip to a large city (working in London last week, for example) or feel a bit snuffly. It sets up a pattern of health/infection, so you can track your status.

YOu should be doing it.

Your cousin is right - you should be testing any time you're meeting people you don't see regularly. You shouldn't wait to be asked.

I don't think this is what OP was asking though - I understood that OP was surprised that her cousin is going round assuming that everyone else is diligently testing regularly like she is, and isn't even bothering to check with people because she's so sure that everyone thinks exactly like she does.

Lots of posters are saying that they know for fact that the people they see are testing regularly, but unless they're spying on these people, they only know this because they've had the conversation.

OP's cousin seems to be meticulously testing her own family, but mixing with people who might not be testing at all as she's not asking the question before meeting up with them.

It's difficult to get the testing kits now so we can't all test before meeting anyone.

I don't think everyone is testing regularly. But I would think most people would test before having inside gatherings because this is just common courtesy.

Although now I'm off to check with my own extended family ...

Please don’t lateral flow if you have symptoms, any symptoms get a pcr.

Lateral flow if you are asymptomatic.

I do it every couple of days and before meeting indoors with my family. My DH and BIL picked up they had covid prior to family events by doing so.

I definitely wouldn't assume people are testing whenever they meet friends. I think most people will do it when specifically asked though.

I assume people are too although I would be clarifying if I was meeting up with anyone. Seems sensible

Most people I know are doing them regularly but absolutely not routinely doing them before meeting people unless there's a reason. eg if you're not well or whatever.

I have had a few things where there's been communication beforehand where everyone is asked to please do one - usually in the context of something larger.

But no, it's not assumed and should absolutely be spelled out in each case.

We are doing them before meeting on Christmas Day

Why wouldn’t you?

I wouldn't assume that everyone was doing them routinely. I don't and I don't know anyone who does. I would if asked, I don't have a problem with it.