to think covid lateral flow tests should still be free...

[jobhunter7]

to think lateral flow tests should still be free...

I know, that wasn't really my point. I support the Time To live With It side of the argument.

But, people. Still whinging and mud slinging at anyone who dares to sneeze in public. Saw a post on here recently from a very aggressive person arguing and cal

Dammit. Pressed send too soon!

… calling someone else all sorts of names for daring to suggest people with actual covid/mere symptoms be allowed to get on with their lives even though they've removed the legal requirements and free testing. Some people can't afford it, even when they need them and people who probably can afford it just aren't going to waste money on it.
The government have handled the downgrading completely hamfistedly imo.

@fairylightsandwaxmelts

perhaps people want to avoid endangering more vulnerable members of society

I'm in Wales. They are free here if you have symptoms. I'm on day 5 of having Covid and I've had no problem requesting LFTs. I wouldn't request them if I didn't have symptoms though, although I know some people are asymptomatic.

@astersugar

How does that work? Do you phone a hotline or email them?

[quote jobhunter7]@fairylightsandwaxmelts

perhaps people want to avoid endangering more vulnerable members of society[/quote]
But how do you propose all these free tests are funded? Someone, somewhere is going to have to pay for them.

They were capped in a lot of countries simply because they were not provided free at all and were limited to numbers they could have even at the capped prices

Yes 100%.
They've rendered the public unable to protect themselves and others for their own selfish yet again.
But hey we are still all in this together right?

@Flakjacketon

Yes in certain cases. I agree free prescriptions should equal free tests. My mum in in a care home - dementia. I visit 4 X per week and am required to have an LFT before each visit so it is now costing me about £25 a month to visit my Mum.

Oh and care homes should be able to give them free to visitors. Things like that. But general every day public use. Pay or claim as a free prescription.

Everybody gets a free pack from their library with their library card... and they can call/mail the hotline for more if they are positive - would that save money on the previous scheme?

@VanCleefArpels

Do not agree. At what point do you think we should stop testing for a virus that causes similar symptoms to the common cold or flu for the vast majority of vaccinated people?

Perhaps when the government remove the advice to isolate when positive.

I don't necessarily think they should be free but I do think you should be able to report the results of the bought tests.
I'm currently on day 7 of testing positive. My husband and son have recently recovered. None of us have been able to report results because the codes from the bought tests are not accepted, meaning that only the positive results from tests given out free by the NHS are included in official stats.

They were never free. The were bought by the government using your taxes. There are much better things that the money could be used for.

Does anyone actually have library cards these days? Or even a library?

No it's done OP. Time to get on with it. If places require testing they'll have to provide them.

Perhaps when the government remove the advice to isolate when positive.

But it's to isolate if you can, you don't have to in England.

No, I don't think they should be free.

@Flakjacketon

Yes in certain cases. I agree free prescriptions should equal free tests. My mum in in a care home - dementia. I visit 4 X per week and am required to have an LFT before each visit so it is now costing me about £25 a month to visit my Mum.

I share your frustration. I’m caring for DM through cancer treatment. She is ECV and immunosuppressed, and priority for anti virals. I see her most days, and still test to protect her.

If places require testing they'll have to provide them

Except that care homes don't, and residents want to be visited.

As tests are provided free to some, I would like to see all residents in institutions being able to order them for use by their visitors

I’m caring for DM through cancer treatment. She is ECV and immunosuppressed, and priority for anti virals. I see her most days, and still test to protect her

The most critically vulnerable (ie those on the third primary and antibody/antiviral treatment lists, not all the original CEV) can still order free tests, so perhaps your DM could get done and you could test outdoors on arrival?

@astersugar

I'm in Wales. They are free here if you have symptoms. I'm on day 5 of having Covid and I've had no problem requesting LFTs. I wouldn't request them if I didn't have symptoms though, although I know some people are asymptomatic.

Just ordered some. DS tested positive yesterday and I feel ill now. Thankfully we still had a test in the house as we were supposed to be seeing relatives yesterday. DS just seemed a bit tired at that point as well, it was just gut instinct made me test.

None of us have been able to report results because the codes from the bought tests are not accepted, meaning that only the positive results from tests given out free by the NHS are included in official stats.

But no one cares what the case numbers are? The most important number was always hospitalisations, as that influenced what restrictions were needed, and that is still monitored closely.

Few weeks ago
Had some covid symptoms
Tried several pharmacies all out of stock of free tests
First time that I had attempted to buy some tests

Therefore had to book a test at a covid centre

Results were negative & I went to work as normal

I understand that some employers made tests compulsory like teachers, carers & NHS staff

However, some people have been testing TWICE a day which is ridiculous !

No, I don't agree that they should be free

@Below8Bbeyond

I suppose you'd have to look at the costs of this:

"Therefore had to book a test at a covid centre

Results were negative & I went to work as normal"

against giving out one free pack plus what they do in Wales (more if you test positive) for example...

@jobhunter7

Everybody gets a free pack from their library with their library card... and they can call/mail the hotline for more if they are positive - would that save money on the previous scheme?

But then people would be going and getting them every month because they were entitled to them.

I think they should have stopped them being free a long time before now. Other countries weren't giving them out for free.

@Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious

Perhaps when the government remove the advice to isolate when positive.

But it's to isolate if you can, you don't have to in England.

No, I don't think they should be free.

Exactly, isolate. I am not arguing if this is right or wrong but rather than if they want you to isolate then you shld be able to know if you have it.

We have wasted so much money on them already. We should never have provided them for free. Absolute waste of money!