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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

141 replies

jobhunter7 · 17/04/2022 13:08

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

OP posts:
XingMing · 17/04/2022 17:43

Free for NHS staff only. Twice weekly. Otherwise, I think they should be provided by the location that requires a clear test for access. So a care home should demand a LFT, but they should have the tests and test all visitors at the entrance. A 15 minute wait for the result and clear consciences all around.

Starlightstarbright1 · 17/04/2022 17:49

@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?
Well not a great plan as library hours are reduced here. Not accessable to many.

However i don't test anymore. I don't get sick pay well statutory after 3 days so carry on regardless.

ThinWomansBrain · 17/04/2022 18:00

I still have to test for work, and can get free tests through work (social care setting). I presume still free for NHS settings too.

Samcro · 17/04/2022 18:16

My adult dc lives in a care home, i have to test when visiting. This I think is the same in all care homes.
Yet the government don't think we warrant free tests.

Original poster
jobhunter7 · 17/04/2022 18:19

Not all vulnerable older people are in care homes.

OP posts:
Original poster
jobhunter7 · 17/04/2022 21:38

@DoubleShotEspresso

And because as a society perhaps we should be looking after those who are more vulnerable...

OP posts:
Original poster
jobhunter7 · 17/04/2022 21:48

@Wizzbangfizz

Bit "Dark Age" thinking - surely we can at least keep some of the things that have worked over the last couple of years...

A "Wear a mask at least if you feel a bit sneezy" campaign or something...

OP posts:
Mickarooni · 17/04/2022 22:26

@jobhunter7

perhaps people want to avoid endangering more vulnerable members of society
So if you’re positive you’re going to isolate for 10 days? What if your employer isn’t too happy about that? You’d risk your job and the roof over your head…?

I can work from home so isolating wouldn’t be a big deal for me but I recognise why it might be a bigger deal for others.

Badger1970 · 17/04/2022 22:36

I don't know how MN is going to cope when they withdraw all testing...........................

UnmentionedElephantDildo · 17/04/2022 22:55

So if you’re positive you’re going to isolate for 10 days?

The guidance still says to isolate if you can, for at least 5 days.

And that if you have to go out, to practice social distancing.

Employers need to know so they they can, epwhere necessart, make arrangements to protect vulnerable co-workers, clients and service users.

And of course the person you pass it on to might become poorly enough to need time off and they might not be able to afford that either. So if your concern is to avoid the need to take time off work, the answer is to test and take precautions

No, it won't stop the spread in every case, but it will minimise it in many, and that is good

Notdoingthis · 17/04/2022 22:58

Nah. People got addicted to them. Costs the taxpayer a lot and feeds anxiety.

MidnightMeltdown · 17/04/2022 23:10

No they should not be free. When they are free, too many people abuse it, stock up in tests, and test constantly. More unnecessary plastic waste.

sst1234 · 17/04/2022 23:22

[quote jobhunter7]@fairylightsandwaxmelts

perhaps people want to avoid endangering more vulnerable members of society[/quote]
The only way you can live a risk free life is to lock yourself or vulnerable people up. Go ahead if you want to do that, but others shouldn’t have to pay for the perpetual testing obsession.

NrlySp · 17/04/2022 23:25

But they were never free - peoples tax money paid for them. So YABU

DoubleShotEspresso · 18/04/2022 00:40

[quote jobhunter7]@DoubleShotEspresso

And because as a society perhaps we should be looking after those who are more vulnerable...[/quote]
Precisely my point yes!

MrOllivander · 18/04/2022 02:03

@lanthanum

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.
I don't really go anywhere (ECV) so I am able to share mine luckily - with my partner before he visits me
Boredoutmymind · 18/04/2022 02:25

maybe we should give them free to people on low income.

I used to test every time i had a doctors appointment or was unwell as to stop the spread. I stayed indoors and limited my life while others went out.
I have only just got covid cuz of some people who lack basic hygiene and coughed without covering their mouth.

fossilsmorefossils · 18/04/2022 04:28

Nothing is ever free. You must pay it back through your taxes or inflation. Same as all the extra money they "released" (printed) during the pandemic so people could be furloughed or whatever. Now you get to pay it back through inflation. You always pay the costs. The best thing for a country is not to try get too much cheap or for free for individuals, look at the scandinavian countries, they're wealthier and have better health care despite paying a much higher income tax. Paying more into the system works.

SpookySpirit · 18/04/2022 04:49

I get them, for free still

Mummyoflittledragon · 18/04/2022 06:22

I think for some circumstances, yes. Not for all. People were testing daily before going away on holiday. For some families, a box will have lasted a day or two. I get the anxiety. But none of those tests should have been free.

Merrymouse · 18/04/2022 06:31

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 .

I agree, except I think ‘living with it’ means taking appropriate measures like enabling appropriate testing, mask wearing etc.

Currently living with it means closing hospitals to visitors unless end of life, and vital services (schools, transport) struggling to function while the government pretends nothing is happening.

Morph22010 · 18/04/2022 06:36

You need to get past the mindset that they ever were free. We were all paying for them just not directly. Unfortunately people thinking them of free has led to a lot of waste, I remember a lot of threads people taking one on day 3 or 4 when isolating just to see, or taking more than one in a day just to see. I would however like to see something where vulnerable adults are given some of of allowance thst there can hand out to people they want to visit

Original poster
jobhunter7 · 18/04/2022 07:20

@Morph22010

"I would however like to see something where vulnerable adults are given some of of allowance thst there can hand out to people they want to visit"

sounds a good idea...

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 18/04/2022 07:32

I agree with PP, the “free” not free testing has cost the country billions, total waste of money.

People that wanted the vaccine have had it, hospitals are coping, Omicron is proving to be mild, absolutely no benefit for providing tests.

People need to move on with their lives, I am CEV but totally fed up with all the hysteria surrounding Covid.

Something is going to kill us all eventually but given the true Covid death figures it is unlikely to be Covid, the country has had many more deaths in a usual flu year.

Covid has caused so much fear and MH issues for many.

trollopolis · 18/04/2022 07:38

the country has had many more deaths in a usual flu year

Big lie technique still going strong I see