Has everyone else been invited to take part in a study by ONS?

[Twinkletwinklechocbar]

We've had a letter inviting us to take part in a study. It would involve a weekly test.

Has everyone had the letter?

No, they select people at random to fill gaps in the regular surveillance testing

Sorry, just read that we were selected at random

Would anyone do this? It involve weekly/monthly tests

I was - years ago. It became tedious very quickly. It was all done in the telephone then.

To feel they were helping, because they like to be part of something, they enjoy providing data, sense of importance... lots of reasons. Not everyone's cup of tea though of course.

To feel they were helping, because they like to be part of something, they enjoy providing data, sense of importance... lots of reasons. Not everyone's cup of tea though of course.

Oh gosh sorry no I don't mean why would anyone do this? I'm not being very clear.

I mean, would you do it? As in I'm considering taking part.

I can't see the harm but I know plenty are concerned about privacy.

My paranoia is always that I'd catch something from the swab,

Oh I see! Sorry

I'd be in two minds, I quite like being part of things like this and see the importance. But it does sound quite disruptive. Part of me would like that I would have access to tests all the time. But another part would then worry about the results all the time. I know that getting hyper aware of things, which I have tendency to do if I don't watch out, can be bad for my mental health. I presume they ask more people than they need knowing not everyone will volunteer.

That's not particularly helpful, so hopefully someone who knows a bit more will be along...

My paranoia is always that I'd catch something from the swab

If you're this paranoid, you probably aren't suited to taking part. You will likely continue to see conspiracy / suspicion where there isn't any and distress yourself.

We have been in the survey since April, weekly for the first 5 weeks and now monthly.
I was happy to do it for a number of reasons, mainly to be assisting data collection etc. My 17yo felt the same. My 14yo was more interested in the vouchers, but would do it anyway.
The first visit was about 20-30 mins. Subsequent ones have been 10-15.

14yo has also been selected for a one-off test through the post which he was happy to do (no vouchers, lol).

Oh thanks chasingsquirrels has it all been straightforward?

The first few weeks it was quite disorganised, which given the speed it was rolled out at it hardly surprising. More about the testers being allocated lists etc.
After it settled down it was fine, the tester calls the day before or sometimes on the morning of the visit and checks we are okay for the test. There have been some when my dcs have been at their dad's house and we've jist rearranged for the next day. The actual visit is pretty quick now, both the tester and we know what we are doing.

I have a sister in this scheme - she likes feeling that she's contributing to the general effort in some way.

However, I'd say that this intensive a regime doesn't seem well suited to people with health anxiety.

I would do it. We weren’t selected . I am signed up to the monthly biobank testing though which is done via post. I don’t get the results though.

Yes and very happy to do it. We should all be helping as much as we can and this is an easy way to help

DD12 was asked to do a random test. It was a one off though, not a regular thing.

It was pretty straightforward and only took a few minutes so if they did ask for a regular test I'd not hesitate to agree to help.