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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

What happens when there are no more lateral flow tests?

95 replies

ARicher22 · 01/01/2022 09:47

Pretty much as the title says...

Me and DD are supposed to both test before she attends nursery, as part of nursery policy.
Some family members have covid, though I don't think we are close contacts as havnt seen them for a few days before they tested positive, but we can't test so have no idea if we are spreading it.
I care for an elderly family member so try to be a little cautious with covid anyway.

There are no lateral flow tests anywhere near me, I've been visiting pharmacy's for a few days trying, I check the gov site regular but no luck.

Is it just supposed to be business as normal as I don't know if I have covid or not as I have no way of finding out?

AIBU - Stop what you are doing!! Act as if covid positive
YANBU- carry on as usual, you don't know you have covid

OP posts:

Original poster

ARicher22 · 01/01/2022 10:06

@Hospedia

Go for a PCR. Not rocket science.

Before every nursery session? Really?

It's not rocket science, no

but I can't get a pcr test within 50 miles. Hardly practical.

OP posts:

KenAdams · 01/01/2022 10:06

Have you tried this morning online? I find early morning and lunchtime the best to get them.

cherrypie66 · 01/01/2022 10:06

You can't do them

nordica · 01/01/2022 10:09

Keep trying online, as others have said I managed to order some a few days ago after trying several times. They add more throughout the day. I think it's down to Royal Mail capacity and not a shortage of tests in warehouses.

Original poster

ARicher22 · 01/01/2022 10:09

@Underthestairsbears

Under 5s do not need to take lateral flow tests. It isn't great for the staff but it's not something you should be made to do.

Nursery have expressly stated their policy and made clear people found to be breaching it risk losing their place. Whilst I don't exactly agree with policy (and I'm not sure how they would know if I wasn't testing), nursery has already closed down 3 times due to covid and lack of staff due to their OTT policies. So I feel like I either test and help keep covid out of nursery, or don't test and risk them closing again. (We are in an area with a high number of cases - though I'm guessing these will plummet due to no tests)

OP posts:

catblanket · 01/01/2022 10:10

Our county council updates on FB every day with local availability and where they have council officers giving them out (they go to a different town/village each day). Is that something your local authority is doing?

You could also ask on Nextdoor if anyone has any spare boxes they don’t need.

WhatAHexIGotInto · 01/01/2022 10:11

I would let the nursery know that you're unable to access any tests. They'll either have some (highly likely) to give you as their staff will be testing, or they'll tell you if they want your DD in or not.

I would def let them know though.

cliffdiver · 01/01/2022 10:13

Not helpful over the next couple of days, but try your local library when they're open.

Also keep checking online for delivery.

Boysnme · 01/01/2022 10:16

Do you have a testing or vaccination centre? Ours have been giving them out there and seem to have plenty stock where the pharmacies don’t and they take ages through the mail.

FreeFrenchHens · 01/01/2022 10:22

Keep checking. I'd be asking friends/family or on a neighbourhood group if anyone has a couple of spares, as a one off.

If you really, really can't solve the problem I think you'll have to just lie about it. But start with asking around, and also ask nursery if they have any available you can use. Do not give them a sob story about how you've tried everything, just ask them neutrally. Even if they have a policy stating they do not supply them.

WhatAHexIGotInto · 01/01/2022 10:25

If you really, really can't solve the problem I think you'll have to just lie about it.

She doesn't have to lie, she just needs to be honest and see what their situation is.

InTheLabyrinth · 01/01/2022 10:26

If you were not close contacts with the family in the 2 days before they started feeling unwell/got a positive test, and are feeling well, I'd carry on as normal.
Keep looking at the website for ordering lateral flow tests for delivery.
Our local Facebook page also has the chemists posting when they get a delivery- although you needed to move fast when they came in stock.
Library's around here seem to be the best bet. Don't know if that's a national initiative.
Otherwise, do you know anyone with kids at secondary, or who works in a secondary school?
I have several boxes as they are just lying around work when the kids don't want them, so I've been picking up the odd box here and there - and over the past week handing them out to people who can't get any. Assuming school is open next week I'll replenish when I get to work.

OnwardsAndSideways1 · 01/01/2022 10:28

Keep trying online! I've managed to get two lots, one online, one from local pharmacy (given code online) in the past few days. The message comes up but try at other times and eventually I managed to get some.

Silvercatowner · 01/01/2022 10:29

I've never had an issue ordering online. If the website says they are unavailable then try again a few hours later. I've had 2 packs delivered this past week.

Aposterhasnoname · 01/01/2022 10:31

They’re available right now on line.

fr4zzledmum · 01/01/2022 10:34

Me and DD are supposed to both test before she attends nursery, as part of nursery policy.

Fo nursery ask for proof of the LFT? If not, I just wouldn't bother. Not like you can anyway, as they're not readily available.

Piccalillies · 01/01/2022 10:37

Order some online, they are available now.

insancerre · 01/01/2022 10:38

Just lie to the nursery and say she was negative
And I say that as a nursery manager
The nursery are being ridiculous in implementing this policy
The tests are not reliable and I think it will give them a false sense of security
As long as you keep looking out for symptoms and get your dd a PCR if she does have symptoms, then there is no need for daily tests

fr4zzledmum · 01/01/2022 10:39

Under 5s do not need to take lateral flow tests. It isn't great for the staff but it's not something you should be made to do.

This.

We've had a number of issues with our nursery ignoring the guidance set by Government and being too over zealous. A number of parents have also complained that they send children home for very simple coughs (which again is noted in Government guidelines as unnecessary).

In my household, I'm lucky enough to WFH but my husband cannot. There was a brief period of time where Welsh Gov changed the guidance for households to all self isolate if one was awaiting PCR results. We had to send my daughter for a PCR as nursery refused to take her otherwise, after sending her home for a cough that miraculously disappeared when she got home. We lost out on 3 days wages for my husband (he's on a casual contract) as well as having to fork out for nursery she she couldn't attend. All because they are OTT.

sirfredfredgeorge · 01/01/2022 10:39

Me and DD are supposed to both test before she attends nursery, as part of nursery policy

If the nursery wants that policy, they need to pay for the tests, there is no way the country should subsidise the business in that way.

Frazzled2207 · 01/01/2022 10:40

This policy was put in place when there were plenty of LFTs to go round.
Now there aren’t and you won’t be the only parent struggling.
Call the nursery and explain your predicament

JamMakingWannaBe · 01/01/2022 10:41

@ARicher22 The Government website has postal availability just now.

Hospedia · 01/01/2022 10:49

Not for all areas, I just tried and got a message saying they are unable to post to this area right now

DeepaBeesKit · 01/01/2022 10:49

If the nursery wants that policy, they need to pay for the tests, there is no way the country should subsidise the business in that way.

This.

luckylavender · 01/01/2022 10:50

@Mybalconyiscracking

You check yourself for symptoms and you get on with your lives. If people ask about LFTs you lie! We should be saving the things for specific encounters with vulnerable people. I would not be testing for nursery.

If you're told you have to test then it's different isn't it?

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