Aibu to not take a COVID test?

[pepstuw]

So bit of back story, I worked in an NHS role where I was exposed to Covid a lot at the start of the pandemic, had my vaccines and in November 2021 it finally caught up with me and I got it for the first time.

Then in February this year I got it again but was only testing positive for 2 days (the day I needed a negative test for an important work trip abroad, typically!) I'm guessing this was Omicron this time but I had 0 symptoms.

Last Weds my stepmum who currently lives with me tested started feeling unwell and on Friday when she took a test it was positive. She has isolated away in her room etc and I thought it's quite unlikely I'll get a third time?!

I have a spa break from this evening to weds and I've woken up today with a sore throat that hurts to swallow. I really just want to enjoy my time away as it was a birthday present from my best friend. Have spoken to her and she says she'd rather I just didn't test until after our trip but she understands it's maybe a bit irresponsible.

As I understand it, 1 in 13 people currently are walking around with the virus and I have been very cautious throughout the pandemic and followed rules. I know it's not even against the law to go out if I did have covid, but knowing I had it would make me feel bad and I would cancel the trip. Is it so selfish to think if 2 years down the line people are so scared of getting covid that they shouldn't be going to a spa etc? If 1 in 13 has it then the supermarket is a higher risk?!

Opinions please

Will you be having treatments? I assume the people who work at the spa don’t have much choice about being there

Personally I wouldn't test and would go. As you say, given its prevalence, there really is no point doing otherwise. It won't achieve anything tangible. Like many people, I worked through the pandemic and had to 'risk' being out there pre vaccine etc Having done that, I'm not messing up plans at this stage.

You have symptoms and you’ve been in close contact with a known case. In my view, it’s morally dubious to not test in this instance. And, yes, selfish. But if you can live with that then crack on - you’re not doing anything illegal.

Although I understand that rules have changed in England and you don't need to isolate, I just can't get over how selfish some people are. The staff in the hotel and spa should not have to be subjected to people who knowingly have symptoms. Just reschedule!

Would you be completely cool with someone doing what you are proposing if it would put a vulnerable friend or family member of yours at risk?
You have symptoms AND have knowingly been a close contact. Of course you should do a test.

“…a bit irresponsible”?! You have no idea how others might react to the virus. Take a test & stay home if it’s positive.

You’ve been in close contact with someone who has Covid and are now showing symptoms-of course you should test. Government guidance is still to isolate where possible - it’s just that you don’t have to isolate if you need to do things like go to work. A spa day is not like work.

Supermarkets are not the same risk due to air flow. And an estimated 1 in 13 have it - the responsible ones are ‘not waking around’ with it.

Warm indoor swimming pool environments are one of the worst environments for spreading it. I’m CEV. It’ll be a minimum of a year until I go near a swimming pool again- my consultant advised that it’s high risk due to the warm, damp environment- you’d be leaving Covid germs hanging around for anyone there. Who then go back to their friends and families to spread it around.

I do understand some people will have a negative view of this, BUT I have to ask how long are we meant to go on this way? Like genuinely, it's been 2 years and how much longer are we supposed to live like this with a slight sore throat etc? As PP said, she wouldn't go somewhere that is high risk because she is vulnerable and that is totally fair. But for others, would you honestly stay inside if you had a cold? The law is that you don't need to isolate regardless and you can't even easily access tests now so it's like the government really is saying do what you like now. I know COVID is a very divisive topic but I just don't know how long realistically people expect us to live this way.

You have clearly already decided what you are going to do. It seems to me to be a very selfish choice. As you say though, the law is on your side so crack on and enjoy your spa break.

What if the people working in the spa don't get sick pay, and then you give them covid? Then if they're ill and can't work then they'll miss out on money.

I have COVID but I get paid my sick wage because I have been at my workplace for longer than 3 months. However, there's people that are not eligible for that so it's not fair if I went in spreading my germs and them losing out on pay....

As well as making them ill and don't know how they'll react to the virus too.

I wouldn't test. I dont care who I give it to, mainly because I'm a selfish cow.

No, you can’t go. Would you have gone pre-Covid if you had ‘flu or any other highly contagious virus and happily passed it on to other guests and staff?

The law is irrelevant, really. It’s about personal responsibility and you need to take yours.

You've made up your mind. Its not illegal but your understanding of what covid is, is incredibly misinformed.

My other half had a 'mild case'. Left disabled and can't do the job he loved, limited ability to participate in daily life or parent as he wants to.

Crack on and enjoy your birthday treat. Hoping your selfishness doesn't effect others.

@rhowton

I wouldn't test. I dont care who I give it to, mainly because I'm a selfish cow.

People like you are the reason why so many people now have covid and why organisations are struggling with staff shortages (not to mention high levels of hospitalisations and deaths). But clearly you don't care.

You’ve obviously already made your mind up, you just want us to help you justify it.

I can’t actually believe how selfish people are to be honest. A spa break is not essential, it could be postponed and you can enjoy it another time. You have no idea of the circumstances of the people who work in that spa. Some of them may be clinically vulnerable or have vulnerable relatives at home. Some of them may be unable to have vaccinations for medical reasons. Is it really worth putting their lives at risk for a nice day out?

Are you well enough to go? Because pre covid people went out if the were well and didn't if they weren't.

I have been in exactly the same situation as you with regards to catching Covid twice recently in a short period of time. I am currently unwell with a sore throat and cough and have tested even though I was 99% sure I can't have Covid again and it's negative. There are lots of virus's apart from Covid that have possible implications on peoples working and family life's but we don't stop what we are doing, we just crack on if we feel well enough.

"I do understand some people will have a negative view of this".

The accepted wisdom now seems to be are you well enough to go to work . If yes then do so. So the question is are you well enough to go to your spa day? If so knock yourself out.

I work with the public in enclosed spaces and had to accept very early on thay we will get infected over and over again. It's an occupational hazard now - and that was before testing stopped.

@pepstuw

I do understand some people will have a negative view of this, BUT I have to ask how long are we meant to go on this way? Like genuinely, it's been 2 years and how much longer are we supposed to live like this with a slight sore throat etc? As PP said, she wouldn't go somewhere that is high risk because she is vulnerable and that is totally fair. But for others, would you honestly stay inside if you had a cold? The law is that you don't need to isolate regardless and you can't even easily access tests now so it's like the government really is saying do what you like now. I know COVID is a very divisive topic but I just don't know how long realistically people expect us to live this way.

I wouldn't go if I had any illness let alone covid. Spreading your germs around when you have a choice not to is just anti social.

Exactly!! I'm not saying we shouldn't be careful and I will continue to wear a mask in public settings, throughout any treatments etc but I do feel I have done my bit. I've had my vaccines, isolated whenever I've been required to which has meant I've lost out on money etc but I've done so because it's the right thing to do. I was debating it this morning but after hearing other posters share my view that we must learn to live with COVID, that is the stance I will be taking. I feel totally well in myself, just a slight sore feeling upon swallowing which has gone down a lot since having a drink this morning etc.

I know we don't know individual circumstances but come on, COVID is for most extremely minor and we cannot live in fear forever. Crucify me for this belief if you wish, but I don't think it's selfish after 2 years of following the rules to go somewhere where I personally wouldn't be going if I was vulnerable anyway, and enjoy myself.

I think it's a tough one now. If you were not NHS staff you would not have access to a test easily. You'd have to buy one. Many people therefore would not do this. Therefore these people would carry on as they did previously making the decision as to whether they were well enough to work/go out depending on how they were and what was involved. I think you are perfectly entitled to do this too.

I'm sorry for those who have had debilitating illnesses from this. But there are lots of debilitating illnesses at large and it's pot luck as to who gets them. This last 2 years have taken their toll on everyone. Health, finances, education, socialisation - the impacts are massive and we can't continue to hold everyone hostage for 1 virus.

Why even ask if you’ve clearly made up your mind?

Why even bother posting if you're already planning on going? Selfish

Surely you won't enjoy it if you are ill anyway?

It's mean to go