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Original poster

Please don’t lie to get a test

84 replies

TingTastic · 03/09/2020 06:26

I’ve seen so many threads on here advocating lying on the form so you can get a test when you don’t have symptoms. Please don’t - it’s a waste of a valuable resource when there aren’t enough tests to go around www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-53990068

Isn’t it an offence (fraud or something) to access a public resource when you don’t meet criteria?

OP posts:
MaidenMotherCrone · 03/09/2020 06:37

The government needs to to improve lab capacity. That's where the problem stems from. It's not a lack of tests or a lack of testing appointments. Those have been capped as the labs cannot keep up. My regional testing site has an actual testing capacity of 2000 tests per day but is capped at just over 400.

DebbieFiderer · 03/09/2020 06:39

I just read that article as well and thought the same as you, but then I got to the end and it says the overall capacity is 350,000 per day and less than 200,000 per day are being carried out. That doesn't sound to me like they are struggling for capacity - bit of a mixed message

SnuggyBuggy · 03/09/2020 06:46

Doesn't fill me with confidence for the winter when people are going to be expected to test for every cough and sniffle if they want to go to work or school

RoseAndRose · 03/09/2020 06:50

If the authorities do not want people to access tests for any reason, they need to remove the 'other' option, which is what gives carte blanche to do this.

SoPanny · 03/09/2020 06:53

You could just as easily say “dear nurseries, please don’t slap a ban on entry to your premises and ask parents to get your whole family COVID tested when little Timmy has a sniffle.”

Up here in Scotland that type of behaviour was rife and lo and behold the home tests disappeared just in time for the rest of the UK to go back to school.

There are serious faults on both sides here.

daisypond · 03/09/2020 06:55

There needs to be more test centres, especially in areas where people might not drive. No good being directed to a test centre when you can’t actually get there.

SoPanny · 03/09/2020 06:57

@SnuggyBuggy

Doesn't fill me with confidence for the winter when people are going to be expected to test for every cough and sniffle if they want to go to work or school
The Chief Medical Officer for Scotland has back-pedalled on this, urging “common sense” to parents, schools and nurseries to get perspective on what’s a cold (no corona symptoms) and kids who’re showing actual tangible signs.

I think when the back to school colds strike in earnest in about a fortnight unless a degree of common sense is applied there’s going to be outcry about lack of home tests/backlog of appointments at testing centres.

Sorry, I’ve got a bit ranty.

Buffy81 · 03/09/2020 07:17

My eldest is due to go back today, As he has a slight cough, I now have to get him tested. Its silly as I had to get my 18month od tested last week as nursery asked me to collect him as he had a cough, He was negitave and I know my eldest will be. We have all had colds this past week

I think the goverment are making it a lot harder then it needs to be, They are not letting parents make the desion as they will know their child better than anybody. So much school is going to be missed this year when it will be down to the common cold. They cant even go back until they are 100% better

They want parents back to work, but if they have to keep taking the time off work to get tested, then I can see some employers getting fed up with it and jobs could be at risk

Cloudburstagain · 03/09/2020 07:21

It will be a nightmare for school, and therefore parents when teachers, students and admin staff are unable to get a test.

Concerned7777 · 03/09/2020 07:23

I dont understand why anyone would want a test without having symptoms, whats the point?

Chairbear · 03/09/2020 07:23

Some people are stocking up too 'just in case' of the home tests. As you have to register them online when they arrive, I hope those that are not used within 24 hours or so of being recieved get fined to help stop the selfishness.

Yetiyoga · 03/09/2020 07:26

@SoPanny
You could just as easily say “dear nurseries, please don’t slap a ban on entry to your premises and ask parents to get your whole family COVID tested when little Timmy has a sniffle.”

I agree with this but it needs to be directed to the government and not the nursery. Nursery staff are not medically trained like that and aren't able to make these decisions. They are only following what they've been told to!

gamerchick · 03/09/2020 07:29

Schools are going to be a nightmare anyway with their whole family get tested thing. Just like they are with doctors notes for absences.

SnuggyBuggy · 03/09/2020 07:33

Are schools still going to do those attendance letters?

HappyBdayWilson · 03/09/2020 07:34

I'm in Scotland and my kids got colds by the end of their 2nd week back (which they must have caught from school!). Had to phone the school to check but they said unless they had the corona cough/temp/loss of taste/smell they could come in because they'll have no pupils or staff over winter otherwise. (Especially as our nearest test point is an hour's drive away.) Hopefully other schools will be as sensible.

Scarcity20 · 03/09/2020 07:45

Are nurses really as clueless as the rest of us? I'm not experienced in what training they're given, and personally I know some on the ball nurses and some less clued up so do you not need much intelligence for the profession?

Jontysmum · 03/09/2020 07:49

I'm in two minds about this. I took myself for a test last week with one symptom. Very sore throat and tiredness. Nothing else. Took three days to get the result b which time I was practically well again. Positive test.

seayork2020 · 03/09/2020 07:53

Why on earth would people lie to get the test? are they collecting results like trophies?

SexTrainGlue · 03/09/2020 07:53

"I dont understand why anyone would want a test without having symptoms, whats the point?"

For travel to certain destinations abroad.

Or misunderstanding about quarantine (wrongly thinking a negative test would release you)

LizzieSiddal · 03/09/2020 07:55

Their is an issue but it’s not because of a few people asking for a test when they don’t have symptoms. It’s because the govt couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery.

But this post is the same old thing, blame a tiny minority for the inadequacy of govt.

ceeveebee · 03/09/2020 07:57

One of my friends DC had a temperature and when they booked him on for a test, they told her to also test the whole household too even though no symptoms. We are in a local lockdown area though so maybe they are being more cautious (they were all negative)

primabloodydonna · 03/09/2020 08:00

In other countries they are testing you for way more symptoms than we are. When I had covid my only symptoms was a runny nose. If I'd not had the test I'd have been out and about in shops etc and my son would have been at nursery infecting who knows who.

Hmmph · 03/09/2020 08:10

The fault lies entirely in the lack of testing capacity. People should get tested for “minor” symptoms- that’s the only way that the spread of the virus can be stopped.

And if people are catching colds, they are going to be catching coronavirus (not necessarily the same people obviously).

Concerned7777 · 03/09/2020 08:12

A friend of mine ordered her whole household tests when home tests were first rolled out, they had all been shielding weeks and had no symptoms whatsoever but wanted "just to see" if they had it or not !Confused I can only assume they lied about 1 of them having symptoms to get the tests sent out.

Ohfrigginghellers · 03/09/2020 08:16

Jontysmum did you ever have a fever?

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