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Covid

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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:

PurpleDaisies · 03/09/2020 10:56

@baldrickslittlesister did you isolate for 10 days?

Gingerkittykat · 03/09/2020 10:57

A fortnight ago I went online at 6am and booked a test for 8am at Edinburgh airport and had my results by 4pm.

I think it is because the schools have gone back that demand for tests have skyrocketed, I know people are now being asked to go to Inverness (3 hours drive each way) or England.

Jontysmum · 03/09/2020 11:09

I don't think people are going to isolate for 14 days if they get cold symptoms that only last for 2 days. Unless they get tested they will forget about it and carry on

baldrickslittlesister · 03/09/2020 11:09

[quote PurpleDaisies]@baldrickslittlesister did you isolate for 10 days?[/quote]
No. I spoke to my GP who said not to for reasons I am not sharing here.

TheSunIsStillShining · 03/09/2020 11:11

Lying or not I looked at booking a test and it sent me t the following locations from sw london:

Wales/Cardiff area
Isle of Wight
Cornwall
Birmingham

Talked to a friend in Guildford and last week she booked a test for the same evening easily. They were almost totally empty.

I have a feeling that the central booking allocation system algorithm has mutated in this case as well.

PurpleDaisies · 03/09/2020 11:13

No. I spoke to my GP who said not to for reasons I am not sharing here.

So you had coronavirus symptoms, didn’t do a test and aren’t isolating. It’s quite hard to believe a gp would tell you to behave in that way.

MaidenMotherCrone · 03/09/2020 11:42

If you need a test for whatever reason please get the test.

WrongKindOfFace · 03/09/2020 11:46

@daisypond

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.

Agreed. The only test centre near to me is out of town and drive through only. Plus I don’t think they test children at that one.

daisypond · 03/09/2020 11:52

I’m in SW London and I couldn’t get to any of the (nominally) London centres without extensive travel by public transport - that’s even if you can get a booking at any of them.

Will2021beamazing · 03/09/2020 11:55

Are home tests always available ? Or is it just dependant on area ?

goose1964 · 03/09/2020 11:57

I had a new cough so I requested a test, by the time it came my nose was so blocked up I could not do it, also the throat swab would make me sick. It's a ridiculous thing to self administer

MaidenMotherCrone · 03/09/2020 12:18

There will be many, many local testing sites opening soon. They'll be in towns for walk ins.

Cornettoninja · 03/09/2020 12:48

@goose1964

I had a new cough so I requested a test, by the time it came my nose was so blocked up I could not do it, also the throat swab would make me sick. It's a ridiculous thing to self administer

It’s not really though is it? Plenty of people have completed home tests (myself included).

Cognitive difficulties and very young children aside it’s not the nicest test but it’s perfectly doable and quick. I don’t really understand why a blocked nose would prevent you doing it either tbh you just blow your nose before as you’re meant to do anyway.

I think you just want to make it more difficult than it actually is.

EmilyDickinson · 03/09/2020 12:58

I also know people who have had a sore throat as the only symptom and yet had a positive test. Technically I guess they shouldn’t have requested tests but it’s definitely better for everyone that they did. There are more symptoms of Covid than the three specified by the government even if that should catch most symptomatic cases. I think if you are unwell, believe that it’s possible that you have Covid (eg high cases in the the local area or perhaps you’ve been in contact with a lot of people recently) it’s right to request a test

Bwlch · 03/09/2020 13:46

I have a feeling that the central booking allocation system algorithm has mutated in this case as well

If you were booking in the afternoon or early evening, there was probably nothing wrong with the algorithm, just that the local slots were full. The system was doing it's best to offer you the next available slot, even if you would need a private jet to get there on time.

Billi77 · 03/09/2020 14:45

The solution is the order more tests. Frequent mass testing is key to getting out of this mess.

Billi77 · 03/09/2020 14:48

And I’m saying that as someone who had a test without symptoms and had a positive result.

EmilyDickinson · 03/09/2020 14:55

Billi77 what prompted you to get tested?

baldrickslittlesister · 03/09/2020 15:31

@PurpleDaisies

No. I spoke to my GP who said not to for reasons I am not sharing here.

So you had coronavirus symptoms, didn’t do a test and aren’t isolating. It’s quite hard to believe a gp would tell you to behave in that way.

My medical info is not your business though is it so you can believe what you like.

jay55 · 03/09/2020 15:51

@TheSunIsStillShining that's crazy, I was annoyed that Ilford was coming up as closest for east London. That would have been a lot closer for you than Birmingham.

I think it makes sense to get a test before going back to the office, before resuming the school run, not just for those with symptoms.

Billi77 · 03/09/2020 16:10

@EmilyDickinson

Billi77 what prompted you to get tested?

I’d had contact with people who’d tested positive.

Underhisi · 03/09/2020 16:28

There are enough tests. Dh's workplace are routinely testing over a thousand each week. It's the tests being where they need to be that is the problem.

EmilyDickinson · 03/09/2020 16:33

Thanks Billi77. Don’t feel you have to answer, I’m just curious as to how this is all working, were you ever contacted by Test and Trace?

I can see from the news today that Test and Trace is only teaching about 60% of contacts. I wonder to what extent people with positive tests get in touch with their contacts themselves and whether this should be explicitly encouraged?

Jagoda · 03/09/2020 16:35

I think it would be preferable if people erred on the side of caution with regards to booking a test if they aren't sure. Far better to be tested than to just roam around spreading the virus to others.

It's not just about schools and nurseries either. Most workplaces will send you home if you have a temp/cough/other symptoms, quite rightly. My workplace takes everyones temp daily before allowing them over the threshold.

Keepdistance · 03/09/2020 17:39

If they have capacity they should test conta ts of positive as otherwise the contacts family are going about their business to school etc. But they have
50+% chance of asymptomatic.
X% of having different symptoms
The illness may nor show till d14+

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