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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Christmas morning Covid test being demanded

859 replies

Quarks69 · 22/12/2021 08:27

Is everyone else having these? My sister in law has demanded this from my side of the family as her elderly parents are going to be at the dinner. With a family of five and three are my busy teens I am worried that we could end up with no xmas day if one of us is asymptomatic (for the second year running obvs).

I do get that we are in bonkers times, but Was so looking Forward to seeing everyone, including my parents, that this is making me cross...isn’t this the point of the jabs!?

OP posts:
DrSbaitso · 22/12/2021 16:05

You can order them online.

Where? NHS has no delivery slots.

IamGusFring · 22/12/2021 16:06

I just ordered some .

alongwayhome · 22/12/2021 16:08

Right...so you're happy to go along and infect some elderly people, as long as you don't know you're doing it?

JustLyra · 22/12/2021 16:08

@Stuffin

I wouldn't lie like some people suggest but then I am more than happy to say I won't test and won't attend if anyone demanded it.

This is down to personal opinions and preferences. Triple jabbed is enough for me and I have no intention to be testing every day on top of that.

No-one is asking the OP to test every day.

She’s been asked to test on one day before spending the day in a house with a vulnerable people.

BruceAndNosh · 22/12/2021 16:09

@burnoutbabe

we can't test as we have no more tests and no where near us has any, neither can you order from NHS to post.

(last 2 used at weekend to show we are now negative after being positive week before)

I ordered some monday, they arrived today, I was also able to order some today, which might arrive before christmas
CoffeeMuggins · 22/12/2021 16:10

@burnoutbabe

we can't test as we have no more tests and no where near us has any, neither can you order from NHS to post.

(last 2 used at weekend to show we are now negative after being positive week before)

I just ordered some online.
GaolBhoAlba · 22/12/2021 16:13

Her house, her rules. You have the option of saying you'd rather not go.

Its interesting that most people consider the current push on LFD testing as being a 'life saving' intervention, in reality its merely to help slow the spread (and prevent the NHS becoming overwhelmed); the booster is the life saving intervention.

I'm hosting, and I know everyone attending has been boosted more than 7 days ago (I wouldnt be hosting if that werent the case). For me, personally, that knowledge is far more reassuring than the knowledge that guests have LF tested.

Omicron is insanely infectious. Everyone is expected to become infected with omicron at some point (unless you're planning to go live on a desert island indefinitely!). Regular LFD testing may delay the catching thereof, but it wont prevent!

sarah13xx · 22/12/2021 16:13

Yes I think this is sensible when tests are readily available. Missing out on going wouldn’t be as bad as giving an elderly person covid. It’s probably easier to trust that family have done it but I was supposed to go to a friends a week or two ago just as this was all kicking off again. There were 12 of us supposed to be going so really a bit much given the current situation. We all agreed to lateral flow test before going but I can guarantee probably about half would have actually got round to doing it. My other friend also said on the Thursday that was hers done, we weren’t going until the Saturday night 🤔 even hours before with lateral flows can be too long, it hasn’t to be just before you go. Mine was negative so I had convinced myself to go then I made my partner do one only for his to be positive. We ended up going for PCRs so I didn’t go anyway but sure enough, he was positive so we’re isolating. Would far rather know and not ruin anyone else’s Christmas (or worse) though

AmaryllisNightAndDay · 22/12/2021 16:17

Its interesting that most people consider the current push on LFD testing as being a 'life saving' intervention, in reality its merely to help slow the spread (and prevent the NHS becoming overwhelmed); the booster is the life saving intervention.

Stopping the NHS from being overwhelmed is life saving.

GaolBhoAlba · 22/12/2021 16:23

@AmaryllisNightAndDay

Its interesting that most people consider the current push on LFD testing as being a 'life saving' intervention, in reality its merely to help slow the spread (and prevent the NHS becoming overwhelmed); the booster is the life saving intervention.

Stopping the NHS from being overwhelmed is life saving.

Well yes obviously, in the wider sense. The overwhelming majority on this chat though have missed the point. If you REALLY want to protect people in the acute sense, then ban anyone who isnt boosted!
Judystilldreamsofhorses · 22/12/2021 16:23

We have chicken, roast potatoes, and pigs in blankets in the freezer, plus fresh veg - if anyone turns up two pink lines on Christmas morning we will at least have something in reserve because we won’t be able to go to ILs.

It’s a standing joke here that my friends and I WhatsApp photos of our tests before we meet. I teach so am the one most likely at risk, despite now being triple jabbed. Why would you not just test?

AmaryllisNightAndDay · 22/12/2021 16:24

For me, personally, that knowledge is far more reassuring than the knowledge that guests have LF tested.

Well you do you but really you do need both at the moment. OK, LFTs on the day can't give a reliable reassurance that no-one has Covid, but they are not bad at warning people when they are most likely to spread it.

PoshWatchShitShoes · 22/12/2021 16:26

Totally reasonable expectation on her part that you all do LFTs.

You need to have back up food in your freezer in case you need to make a last minute Christmas lunch at home. That's just common sense. No idea why you're outraged

AmaryllisNightAndDay · 22/12/2021 16:28

If you REALLY want to protect people in the acute sense, then ban anyone who isnt boosted!

Oh I see - but I thought the OP said everyone was vaxxed / boosted.

NashvilleQueen · 22/12/2021 16:29

How absolutely ridiculous! Literally every sane person has been making sure they have done a LFT before they meet up with people outside of the household.

Roundeartheratchriatmas · 22/12/2021 16:35

Yes I am testing regularly/before I see people and especially anyone elderly or vulnerable.

SIL is being sensible. You on the other hand sound as if you’d not mind if you had covid as long as you don’t know you have it so that you can carry on as normal which doesn’t seem very reasonable.

immigrant002 · 22/12/2021 16:37

I don't see any problem with this i would probably do it anyway without being asked ! What is the big deal ?

GaolBhoAlba · 22/12/2021 16:38

@AmaryllisNightAndDay

If you REALLY want to protect people in the acute sense, then ban anyone who isnt boosted!

Oh I see - but I thought the OP said everyone was vaxxed / boosted.

The LFD is notoriously unreliable, thus the PH message ISNT that all bets are off so long as you LF test.

I understand the OP's point. If you have guests that you are genuinely worried for, in spite of them being boosted, then just not hosting any gathering is the wisest/sincerest option.

Iinvited my guests in the knowledge they are boosted. If they werent, no gathering would be had. The choice to LF test will be their own - I wont be making it a prerequisite.

Zotter · 22/12/2021 16:40

This BBC article says, ‘UK researchers have analysed the likely impact that a Covid booster shot will have on Omicron and say it could provide around 85% protection against severe illness.’ So there is still some risk that people will get severely affected and obviously the older they are the more likely they will be one of the unfortunate few who isn’t protected.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59696499

Vicliz24 · 22/12/2021 16:45

We are all doing LFTs on Christmas morning and everyone has a back up meal just in case .

waitingpatientlyforspring · 22/12/2021 16:47

Thats a pretty normal request. I'm testing twice weekly but trying to time it before seeing people.

user1471447863 · 22/12/2021 16:47

I shouldn't be surprised but i am, It's amazing how thick and or selfish so many people are.

"I wouldn't go if i had it" - but doesn't want to test in case they do have it and can't go? Nevermind failing to understand that some people are fortunate enough to be asymptomatic (whereas the less fortunate die) and that's why we test.

Frankly those that say they would lie about testing should have a long hard look at themselves - you are either thick as shit and inable to comprehend why this would be a bad idea or selfish scum who doesn't give a fuck about those around them.
Probably the first to complain about restrictions being imposed upon them but failing to realise that it is their own behaviours that cause these (and greater restrictions) to be needed.
Testing is simply swirling a giant cotton bud up your nose for 10 seconds - similar to where you finger spends a lot of time digging for gold - nothing complicated or painful. You don't have to ram a traffic cone up your arse or a golf umbrella up your urethra which is what some people must think it is like going by the hysterics you read about testing

errorcode010010010100010 · 22/12/2021 16:47

We are testing on Christmas morning before we go out and mix with family.

3WildOnes · 22/12/2021 16:47

Yes we are taking LFT on Christmas morning before we head off for Christmas lunch. I won’t test my little ones.

SuffolkDreams · 22/12/2021 16:55

OnlyAFleshWound & LondonJax

Sorry, I should have been clearer. The mum is super controlling about everything - not just Covid