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

[jobhunter7]

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

They used to give them at my local library - perhaps they could have it that you had to swipe your library card and thus were only allowed one pack a month or something

They tried that at my local library (I volunteer there) and folk were just sending other family members, friends, neighbours and just about anyone they could persuade to pick up more and yet more for them

@nether

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?

She has limited tests for herself, but has been told to keep them for herself. I don’t know if the codes are registered to her name? I asked her if she could get some for me, but she’s abiding by the rules.

In some instances yes, but I think that it would be better for you to be able to pay for NHS tests, because the ones you buy from the chemists aren’t NHS ones and the result can’t be logged via the NHS.

If NHS tests could be paid for then it would A, be possible to log the result on the NHS site, and B, would put some of the money back into the NHS which has been spent on them.

I am entitled to free tests because I am vulnerable,and this morning I have tested positive 😱, it is imperitive that I know, not only because I have a serious health condition, but also because I spend a lot of time going into hospital settings, and I shouldn’t be exposing other vulnerable people to the virus if I have it.

@EdwinaSharma

You get one free pack with your library card. Then you have to telephone for more is what I was suggesting as in Wales.

@Puzzledandpissedoff

Not sure how you would know who people were picking them up for...

Not sure how you would know who people were picking them up for...

Because plenty of the idiots told us - ridiculous I know, but there you are

YABU - we were one of the few countries handing them out for free which is why you had people doing them constantly - some posters several times a day! They are a disaster for the environment and we don't routinely test for other illnesses. Living with it means letting go of testing.

Suppose a reusable test may solve the problem...

@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?

Nearest library is a 40 minute drive away and in a different county so I can't get a library card for that one. The nearest in my county is almost an hour's drive away, (no public transport from here), and the car parking charge is £3ph min. So that "free" pack will cost rather a lot in real terms for me.

They weren’t ever free really.

Don't they cost just under £2? Seems cheap enough

There is no logical reason to test therefore - if anything - prices should be increased to stop the hysteria of all this testing.

You know you can order them online if you say you work in a care home or for NHS. I work in a care home and order mine. I'm not lying but l suppose people could so and no one would check.

@teenagetantrums

You know you can order them online if you say you work in a care home or for NHS. I work in a care home and order mine. I'm not lying but l suppose people could so and no one would check.

Do you not have to use a work email? I do (nhs)

perhaps people want to avoid endangering more vulnerable members of society

They were never ‘free’, they’re terrible for the environment and when on earth would it end? If you want it, pay out of your own purse.

[quote jobhunter7]@EdwinaSharma

You get one free pack with your library card. Then you have to telephone for more is what I was suggesting as in Wales.[/quote]

I thought you meant that people Could get one pack a month for free from the library. Which I think would make people get them if they needed them or not.

www.medicaldevice-network.com/news/prenetics-reusable-covid-test/

If you want to pay more taxes to cover it

@EdwinaSharma

"You get one free pack with your library card. Then you have to telephone for more is what I was suggesting as in Wales."

Do you think that would work better?

@TabithaTittlemouse
No I use my personal email address

"they’re terrible for the environment"

I suppose other solutions include

Wearing a mask if you've got symptoms

Working from home if you can

A cheap reusable covid test if when the technology gets there...

Why are you searching for solutions? Free testing isn't returning, hardly anyone is wearing masks - if you are unwell stay at home.

It would be far more useful if they were issued to people visiting the ECV than the ECV themselves - it's all very well them being able to find out if they've caught covid, but more to the point to prevent them from being exposed to it in the first place.

@Wizzbangfizz

Why are you searching for solutions? Free testing isn't returning, hardly anyone is wearing masks - if you are unwell stay at home.

Because shit isn't getting any better and despite best efforts if you're supporting the vulnerable no testing is a headache and prohibitive I'm having any sense of social contact. That's the reality for many who have no choice but to understand Covid is by no means over and "living with it" really isn't a viable option . Testing would help as it did before- but hey that'd be admitting it's still a problem and absolutely nothing the same as flu .