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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not test for covid if you feel unwell?

167 replies

ValerieCupcake · 07/04/2022 15:14

Well, more like are THEY being unreasonable.

Discussion at work today about covid. Couple of colleagues said they won't test if they get say a sore throat or cold symptoms as we have to live with it. They will just get on with things. Get on with things means going out, going to work etc if they are able to. Even without a test.

Would you test? I would. Am I unreasonable? Or are they?

OP posts:
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5
HardyBuckette · 23/04/2022 13:14

Notanotherwindow · 23/04/2022 13:09

@HardyBuckette Well hopefully you will never be in the position where your child is dying of cancer but if you do, I will remind you to donate to the fund.

You'd have to start it first. Give us the link when you do, so the people you're calling arseholes because they can't afford to prioritise your loved ones over theirs can submit their claims.

Oysterbabe · 23/04/2022 13:16

I don't test 🤷‍♀️
If I feel well enough to be out and about then I will be.

Biker47 · 23/04/2022 13:17

Currently got a slightly sore throat and runny nose, haven't tested and in work.

Notanotherwindow · 23/04/2022 13:31

In that case, why should I prioritise your finances over a 4 year olds life? I couldn't give a shit if you and your family have to cut back to afford a massive £2 for a test. Like I said, I wouldn't risk your kids life to save £2 but then if it were your child dying, you would likely agree with me.

Do I have the right to an opinion and free speech? Yes. Is that opinion that people who have covid symptoms, don't test and selfishly go out spreading it are arseholes? Yes.

If the shoe fits...

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 23/04/2022 14:18

No, because hay fever is not infectious? This isn’t about virtue signalling to others, it’s about stopping passing infections around.

But no one actually knows if it's hay fever or a cold do they? I cough, have a blocked runny nose, scratchy throat and watery eyes. I know I've had it every summer for years but it's similar to the symptoms of various other illnesses including covid.

@Notanotherwindow as mentioned above my hay fever symptoms mimic covid symptoms. Do you think I should be testing every time I go out? Not all symptoms that could be covid are covid. Some people won't be able to afford to cut back to buy the tests even if they are only a 'massive £2'.

HardyBuckette · 23/04/2022 15:25

Notanotherwindow · 23/04/2022 13:31

In that case, why should I prioritise your finances over a 4 year olds life? I couldn't give a shit if you and your family have to cut back to afford a massive £2 for a test. Like I said, I wouldn't risk your kids life to save £2 but then if it were your child dying, you would likely agree with me.

Do I have the right to an opinion and free speech? Yes. Is that opinion that people who have covid symptoms, don't test and selfishly go out spreading it are arseholes? Yes.

If the shoe fits...

Similarly, nobody else has to prioritise your loved ones either. Your selfishness is morally identical to that of other people and you are doing the precise same thing as the people you think you're in a position to judge. Glad we agree on that point.

As for opinions and arseholes, well you know what they say about that one.

Notanotherwindow · 23/04/2022 16:48

This reply has been deleted

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Waxonwaxoff0 · 23/04/2022 17:52

Notanotherwindow · 23/04/2022 12:52

Tests are £2. Nice to know the price of a child's life.

And 10 unpaid days off work is a lot more than that.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 23/04/2022 17:53

Notanotherwindow · 23/04/2022 13:31

In that case, why should I prioritise your finances over a 4 year olds life? I couldn't give a shit if you and your family have to cut back to afford a massive £2 for a test. Like I said, I wouldn't risk your kids life to save £2 but then if it were your child dying, you would likely agree with me.

Do I have the right to an opinion and free speech? Yes. Is that opinion that people who have covid symptoms, don't test and selfishly go out spreading it are arseholes? Yes.

If the shoe fits...

No one is expecting you to prioritise their finances. But there are no rules any more saying that you have to isolate, so whether people go to work or not is not up to you.

ArcheryAnnie · 23/04/2022 18:24

Just because something is legal, that doesn't make it right.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 23/04/2022 18:29

I won't be testing.

£2 may be "nothing" to some people, but DH has a constant blocked nose and sore throat with sinus issues - that "just £2" would be £60 a month if he tested every single day.

I'm too unwell to work, I won't work, but I'm a self-employed dog-walker and won't be cancelling walks just for a sore throat or a blocked nose. And if that makes me selfish, well, so be it.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 23/04/2022 18:48

ArcheryAnnie · 23/04/2022 18:24

Just because something is legal, that doesn't make it right.

Yeah, yeah. We can go round in circles, but the bottom line is there's nothing you can do about it if people choose to go out.

HardyBuckette · 23/04/2022 19:23

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 23/04/2022 18:29

I won't be testing.

£2 may be "nothing" to some people, but DH has a constant blocked nose and sore throat with sinus issues - that "just £2" would be £60 a month if he tested every single day.

I'm too unwell to work, I won't work, but I'm a self-employed dog-walker and won't be cancelling walks just for a sore throat or a blocked nose. And if that makes me selfish, well, so be it.

Exactly, it's not just £2 and people who pretend it is are disingenuous. It's £2 for every member of a household every time they've got a sore throat or are a bit snotty, and that's before considering whether they're allowed in work or whether they'd get sick pay. In a climate where the cost of living is spiralling. Anyone who fails to acknowledge what they're actually asking here isn't going to get very far when they try and moralise to others.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 23/04/2022 19:37

@fairylightsandwaxmelts that would be the same for me, £60 a month just to pacify people who think I should test every time I cough or sniff, which is every day!

woodhill · 23/04/2022 19:40

Fortunately I have managed to get some tests from work but I'm going careful with them because I don't want to pay for tests

I think they should be still free tbh

Etinoxaurus · 23/04/2022 19:48

Really shocked at the crap employers so many of you have Flowers
My SME is asking us to test within 48hrs of coming in. They provide the tests and pay us if we’re sick.

HardyBuckette · 23/04/2022 19:56

Etinoxaurus · 23/04/2022 19:48

Really shocked at the crap employers so many of you have Flowers
My SME is asking us to test within 48hrs of coming in. They provide the tests and pay us if we’re sick.

That's good. I'm glad you have an employer who treats their staff well.

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