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

Why the hand wringing? Take a test and know for sure one way or the other or don’t, it’s up to you.

If a positive test result would change your behaviour then your just looking for affirmation but why? We all know the consequences and various arguments for and against, no one here will have anything new to say and it gives off the air of looking for an argument.

Make your decision and get on with it. Stop being so wet.

@SlashBeef

It’s not hysterical to give a crap about others. ‘Oh it’s gone on so long now it’s ridiculous, so let’s just stop caring.’ It’s attitudes like this that have led to already mediocre mitigations and restrictions being even less effective over the past two years. Okay 🤷‍♀️ and yet life continues as normal for millions of people. We have work, school and general life to be getting on with. People like you are becoming less and less relevant. We already suffered 2 years of shrieking about lockdowns and masks and how selfish we are. We don't care anymore

Speak for yourself.

@Lotsadebate

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....

Yes I get that, but also, what happens to people's jobs, when these places start going under because everyone is cancelling due to COVID? It's a tricky one, but I'm more inclined to think we should just be getting on with it now. But I understand where others are coming from.

It's true, the financial issue isn't straightforward here.

Personally I think covid or not...if you've got symptoms of a contagious illness (even if it's 'just' a cold) I wouldn't be going somewhere like a spa. As a pp said that's a really good environment for germ spreading. Don't see the point in testing but i wouldn't be going, as rubbish as it is

@SlashBeef

It’s not hysterical to give a crap about others. ‘Oh it’s gone on so long now it’s ridiculous, so let’s just stop caring.’ It’s attitudes like this that have led to already mediocre mitigations and restrictions being even less effective over the past two years. Okay 🤷‍♀️ and yet life continues as normal for millions of people. We have work, school and general life to be getting on with. People like you are becoming less and less relevant. We already suffered 2 years of shrieking about lockdowns and masks and how selfish we are. We don't care anymore

The bratty foot stamping of the ‘we don’t care’ brigade is also pretty fucking tiresome.

@pepstuw

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.

Oh well in that case. You're totally right, it's been hard and unfair and therefore you should do whatever the fuck you want.

Why do people think the world works in this way? It doesn't!

Everyone I know who have had or got covid recently have been absolutely floored by how unwell they have been!!It's selfish to go somewhere knowing you could unfect others it's not just about being unwell it's about people having to cancel holidays, miss work and generally being inconvenienced
Look at the bigger picture than your own reasons!

"Well I guess it is essential when you want to send your child in to infect multiple teachers and their classmates but strangely it isn't when a parent wants to take their child out a week early to save money on a holiday etc."

I've never done that. And again, here we have a "just because someone else does something, doesn't mean it's right", even if they were comparable situations (which they aren't). I worked in education all through covid despite being clinically vulnerable myself so my money is very much where my mouth is. You can do other things for your mental health than a spa trip - it is simply not essential in the way education is. They are not comparable.

if your are nhs you should still be testing 2 x a week on a lateral flow?

Pretty selfish and you know it. Or you wouldn't be getting so defensive.

Think about the staff and the other guests.

If you won't think of them and do go then at least please don't have any treatments where you will be in close proximity to staff members.

Btw I would feel the same if you had flu or norovirus.

It's just selfish.

@pepstuw

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.

You know that “doing your bit” isn’t some static bank? There’s no measure of who has had it worse over that last two years so has done their bit and is now entitled to act like a selfish cow?

Living with Covid doesn’t mean going anywhere and everywhere with it just because legally you can. It means taking some personal responsibility, so like the CEV poster up thread who isn’t going swimming…it’s also the fairly healthy person who knows they have symptoms and has been exposed making the decision not to potentially infect staff at a spa day.

Give and take surely?

I think it is clear from this type of posts that a lot of people are thinking like you. I would personally not go to a spa if I suspected I had covid, but a lot of people are. So the only solution is for those who are vulnerable to assume that there is always someone with covid near you. I am carrying on with my life as it was. So gym, dance classes etc. I just accept that at any point, someone with covid could be near me, and if I catch it, well, I hope it will be a light cold like the previous time I caught it.

Teachers are now being told in my LA that if they test positive but feel well, they should go into work as normal. I’ll be damned if I’m going to do that and then miss out on a holiday/spa day/family event when you know others aren’t isolating and it’s rife in the community.

Selfish whatever is wrong with you, whether it’s Covid or something else.

I wouldn't be going to a spa if I was unwell. Definitely not. If I had a cold or sore throat or any viral illness I wouldn't be getting treatments and going to a spa as I wouldn't want to pass my germs onto people it's just common courtesy.

@Iom92 I think this is the thing isn't it
Lots of people going to work
I have covid now ( i an isolating ) but so many people have told ne you don't have to , goverment goes out not realising guidelines are actually still in place ( although hey are mixed messages )
Plus with no free tests as people run out most are not going fo go and buy any
We have nearly run out , once i do I won't be getting anymore
This is 2nd time I have had it in two months now , resulting in having to take time off and the messaged are so mixed

Serously prior to covid how many stayed in with a slight sore throat?
I would of take ln time iff stayed in maybe first few days of a cold or if i felt unwell
If felt ok by day 3 i would be back out, a slight sore throat I wouldn't of stayed home for previously

@Scarybutnecassary

Everyone I know who have had or got covid recently have been absolutely floored by how unwell they have been!!It's selfish to go somewhere knowing you could unfect others it's not just about being unwell it's about people having to cancel holidays, miss work and generally being inconvenienced Look at the bigger picture than your own reasons!

Same here - I don't know where it's coming from that it's "like a cold" - it is fuck all like a cold and has floored two young, healthy men in my family this month - one has a racing heart from it 24/7 and the other has something wrong with his eyes. It's not a fucking cold and don't expect the NHS to help you - they are still not treating it.

@Dancer47 I have had it twice now in 2 months
First time was very much like a cold
This time much more like the flu

I wouldn’t stay home if I had a cold/sore throat . The only time I stay home sick is when I physically feel too sick to go out .

I do still test for covid if I feel unwell ( even a little )but I wouldn’t call someone unreasonable if they decided not to.

I’ve had a dozen colds in the last two years and so far I’ve not had covid .

[quote worriedatthistime]@Iom92 I think this is the thing isn't it
Lots of people going to work
I have covid now ( i an isolating ) but so many people have told ne you don't have to , goverment goes out not realising guidelines are actually still in place ( although hey are mixed messages )
Plus with no free tests as people run out most are not going fo go and buy any
We have nearly run out , once i do I won't be getting anymore
This is 2nd time I have had it in two months now , resulting in having to take time off and the messaged are so mixed
[/quote]
I think the government message is rather clear. All restrictions have been removed so for better or for worse, there will be thousands of people walking around with covid. www.gov.uk/coronavirus

"are not comparable."

Of course they are. You may feel they are not equivalent but it is comparable.

Presumably then it is ok for someone like the OP to send their kid into school without testing but not to go on a spa. Do you are ok with an elderly ta or teacher getting infected as that is essential but no the spa worker because that is leisure. In that case you might argue that health measures in schools to protect continuity of education and the health of staff is essential in order to protect education but the health of spa workers is not as their service is not essential.

It's a moot point in any event - the government has decided we must all live with it, like a cold or a flu ( even if it is more serious). I imagine plenty of people went to spas when run down and having a bit of a sniffle. A proportion of people will go with covid symptoms going forward, and we may as well make peace with it as you cannot control other people decisions or priorities.

People who go out in public, including spas, know that they run the risk of coming into contact with covid, and have chosen to go anyway.

Just go and enjoy yourself. Maybe don’t use the steam room.