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AIBU?

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Original poster

Positive LFT but not taking PCR?

127 replies

DeerMyDear · 27/12/2021 21:10

My SIL has had a positive LFT and intends on not being in contact with anyone for then next 7-10 days (she lives alone). However, she’s decided not to take a PCR. She says she can’t see the benefit - she has (mild) covid, so doesn’t need confirmation of that. And a PCR test will put her in the system and she could be fined if she breaks any isolation rules.

She isn’t breaking the law as having a PCR test isn’t a legal requirement (isolating after getting a positive PCR is legal requirement), but it does feel like it’s going against the grain.

Any thoughts most welcome.

OP posts:
Tippexy · 27/12/2021 21:11

She may need it on her medical records in the future.

It's the right thing to do for science/your fellow citizen.

sonjadog · 27/12/2021 21:11

If she is isolating, then I don’t see any problem. What are you concerned about?

LynxGiftsetAndSocks · 27/12/2021 21:12

Does she not need it for work?

sunshineclouds24 · 27/12/2021 21:14

Loads of people throughout the pandemic have done this. As long as she follows the isolation rules she is protecting others from getting infected by her.
You might want to mention to her that if she intends to travel abroad in next 90 days she may want to take a pcr so if positive she can get a letter from her gp so she is exempt from a pcr test to travel.

ChimChimeny · 27/12/2021 21:15

I'd want to get it confirmed in case I needed to test for eg travel in the future & still tested positive.

Plus also if there are complications or it gets worse

TooWicked · 27/12/2021 21:16

I wouldn’t get another PCR if I ever get covid again. Test and Trace were a pain in the arse with the phonecalls and emails,

I’d follow isolation rules, that’s all that matters.

sadpapercourtesan · 27/12/2021 21:18

I think it's the wrong decision, as the data on who has which variant is important for tracking and predicting. We all 5 tested positive on lateral flows yesterday (3 of us have symptoms) and have done PCRs today.

It's easy enough, we had them delivered to the house and sent them off from the local post office. She really should do it, if she doesn't have a really good reason not to.

Original poster
DeerMyDear · 27/12/2021 21:19

She’s not travelling abroad and I don’t think she needs it for work.

I’m not being judgey about it. It threw me a little… when I realised having a PCR wasn’t a legal requirement and there didn’t seem a benefit to her as an individual.

I find myself agreeing with her actually, which surprises me! Not sure my husband would agree, which is why I posted on here, to get broader views.

OP posts:
DitheringBlidiot · 27/12/2021 21:20

I wouldn't get one if I knew I already had it

middleager · 27/12/2021 21:21

Seems very shortsighted if she goes on yo develop complications or ling Covid. She'd need evidence of Covid.

Hankunamatata · 27/12/2021 21:21

As long as she is isolating and has informed cc then I think its fine. There are a few parents I know choosing to isolate their kids rather than do a pcr

Wolfiefan · 27/12/2021 21:22

Could be fined if she breaks any isolation rules.
Surely not an issue unless she’s planning to.

SouthOfFrance · 27/12/2021 21:23

I read somewhere that the data analysts think this is becoming increasingly common.

Pros - no annoying phone call from track and trace, don't have the hassle of going to get a PCR, no threat of a fine (even though she wouldn't get one anyway as self isolating)

Cons - could test positive if travelling, so maybe good to have on medical records. Is she likely to travel soon?

IDKAYBIF32 · 27/12/2021 21:23

Seems very shortsighted if she goes on yo develop complications or ling Covid. She'd need evidence of Covid.

Who's going to ask for proof?

Lessofallthisunpleasantness · 27/12/2021 21:24

I think this is ok.

ToykotoLosAngeles · 27/12/2021 21:24

I had a PCR today as I'm 5 days past being a close contact with a sore throat. I think if my LFT this morning had been positive I might have skipped the PCR. I've caught it from work if I have it - half the office is positive.

Summersdreaming · 27/12/2021 21:24

I would do the same. I had covid in summer and did everything right.. I don't need it on my record again, won't be travelling abroad until summer. Very likely to get covid in the next few weeks if I haven't picked it up since Xmas day already.

SouthOfFrance · 27/12/2021 21:25

middleager don't think a doctor is going to ask for proof, surely they'd take her word for it that she had a positive lateral flow if she did need any ongoing help. If she's ill long term then of course a doctor would help her as needed. They aren't going to berate her for not having taken a pcr.

slothbyday · 27/12/2021 21:25

A colleague tested positive recently and their one piece of advise was do not put your phone no on the test documentation and just email then you don't get bombarded by the calls whilst feeling poorly!

CovidForChristmas · 27/12/2021 21:27

I got one in case I need to do anything in the next 90 days that requires a test. Having a positive result on my medical record will explain any future positive results in that time frame or excuse me from the need to test again.

ViceLikeBlip · 27/12/2021 21:29

I've just seen on Instagram today that this is a thing "no test = no case". Seemingly some people are deliberately not taking pcrs in order to suppress the stats and avoid lockdown. (It's a bit pointless though- decisions are based more on hospitalisations than case numbers!)

Alayalaya · 27/12/2021 21:31

There are pros and cons. The government needs to track infections. Also you may need proof you had Covid for various reasons so that requires a PCR. But if you have the PCR you will be repeatedly harassed for days on end. After having seen how my friend was harassed after she tested positive I’d be inclined to avoid the PCR.

Superstar22 · 27/12/2021 21:32

We won’t know how many people in local/ national area have covid & therefore be able to correctly inform policy / measures/ restrictions based on correct numbers if people don’t do PCRs.

Smartiepants79 · 27/12/2021 21:33

Well if I’d had to go through covid and isolation I’d want it on record that I’d recovered from it.
What if she is forced to pcr test in the near future due to being a close contact? She could still test positive and be made to isolate again!! Even though she knows she’s not actually infectious.

Fallagain · 27/12/2021 21:34

Surely anyone who is has been in contact with who aren’t double vaccinated (she may not know the truth of this) needs to be informed by T and T that they need to isolate for 10 days.