"Not my fault I can't get a test and not bloody isolating "just in case"!"

[ketchupthebear]

Heard this from a friend who will lose significant income self-isolating for 10 days and her partner for 14 days.

She says they have tried very hard to get tests and now nearing day 3 of symptoms.

I know rulz is rulz, but it does seem that those making the rules are not keeping up their end of the bargain.

Don't all pile on and say how selfish etc. from my own family's perspective, I agree (asthmatic DS), but on the other hand, feel the message needs to filter up to those managing test and trace that some people would "get a test" if they could, but if they cannot, they are just not going to isolate "in case".

How common do you think this is?

@yawnsvillex

People are now starting to see this shambles for what it really is, so yes I think people are just cracking on.

Nobody wants to risk losing their job or denying kids of any MORE loss of education.

I do agree people are starting to realise they have to make their own decisions.

However the chaos means I'm more likely to home school, as I just don't want my kids embroiled in the madness and disruption.

@linelgreen each test kit is individually barcoded and recorded so you'll find they won't be processed if not returned within the expected timeframe after dispatch.

This is because they can't know if in fact you took the test back in August when you received it and then sat on the sample for weeks before sending it in or it was delayed in the post by weeks. Either way, it wouldn't yield a proper result after that time so so won't be analysed.

I'm afraid this is an own goal on your part. The swabs, absorbent paper and envelopes are useless if a lab won't process.

Don't do this, kids. It's stupid and pointless!

Very very common I’d say. We have kept to the isolation rules even when testing has been messed up big time, but I’m very aware that we are in a position to do so and not everyone is! We did finally manage to get a test but that was an entire day of sitting pressing refresh and I think we were just lucky.

I think the government are deluded if they think every time someone has a cough or temperature they will isolated for 2 weeks because they haven’t got their act together! It’s madness. Also makes a mockery of ‘schools being back’ when so many children are sat at home waiting for tests.

@linelgreen and that is the reason those that actually need them can't get one ffs. How selfish.

I think the number of people falsely getting tests must be very low now it takes hours and hours and hours to not get a test, or be offered one 2 hours drive away. Really, who has the time?

I'd love to know the number of people who logged in and tried to get a test but never followed through - they must have that data.

We’ve already decided if we or dc get symptoms we aren’t even bothering to try and get a test we will just have to stay at home and Dh if no symptoms will go to work as we won’t have any money otherwise
We can’t drive miles to a test centre and I’m not wasting my time trying to get a test when there aren’t any

@notSureaboutT having just been through the testing palava I agree this will be our approach too. We cannot have people in this country sitting at home starving with no income, defaulting on rent payments and going without food so their kids can eat, for a head cold with a brief temperature. Because that is what it’s currently boiling down to, no?

We’ve already decided if we or dc get symptoms we aren’t even bothering to try and get a test we will just have to stay at home and Dh if no symptoms will go to work as we won’t have any money otherwise We can’t drive miles to a test centre and I’m not wasting my time trying to get a test when there aren’t any

I don't blame you. It's the government's fault.

At this rate there will be a second wave, but people can't be expected to put their lives on hold indefinitely because the government can't even get the basics right.

Also, in the scenario a DC is ill with a fever - I don't really see why in theory your non symptomatic DH isn't supposed to go to work (where presumably there is social distancing and masks) and all the kids your children are in school with - non socially distanced, no masks, sitting with shoulders touching - being allowed to be in school continuing to spread whatever it is until the DC get a test result (4 or 5 days later).

Why does one symptomless contact have to stay home and the others get to go somewhere where they're not sticking to rule of 6, not social distancing and not wearing masks? Makes no sense.

Unfortunately a lot of people will be forced into these difficult situations where it’s choosing between losing income they need to keep their home and feed their family or break the rules.

A lot of employers won’t be particularly understanding either. Days off at a time anytime one person from your household has a temp or a cough.

Also I’m not so convinced by all the stuff in the news about symptomless people using up all the tests, seems like the government trying to shift the blame.

Also I’m not so convinced by all the stuff in the news about symptomless people using up all the tests, seems like the government trying to shift the blame.

You only need to look at the posts on here along the lines of: my child sneezed, do I get them tested? Or: my child sneezed at school and they won't let them back until they test negative, to know that this has been a huge issue. It might not be the only issue, but needless testing has certainly been a contributing factor.

There really are symptomless people dou this @jellyfishdoodoodoo @linelgreen posted this on this thread 🤦🏼‍♀️
how long do the home test kits last - i ordered 4 for our family last week just in case they were needed and unavailable but nowhere is there an expiry date can anyone advise

I've been trying to get a test for 3 days for a kid with a fever (which she no longer has). I'm betting the people like me who've given up VASTLY outnumber those who are getting tests when they don't need. I've been offered one test 2 hours drive away this morning. In the time it took me to ask DH who said "fuck that, we're not going that far and paying for petrol, she's completely well now" and I refreshed, the slot was gone.

Send kids back to crowded classrooms and the number of kids with fevers skyrockets - every - single - year. This was utterly predictable.

I'm betting the worried well are giving up like everyone else.

I've kept my eldest off with a cold today, a cold accompanied by a persistent cough. Tbf she feels and looks pretty rough but usually I would have said "see how you go.' In this instance, I'm worried she'll be sent home with 'symptoms' of corona and then have to isolate for 2 weeks or until she tests negative which sounds like it will be impossible due to lack of tests. Besides, it's OBVIOUSLY a common cold. Really annoying!

Managed to get a postal test after obsessively refilling out the online form all day. Goodness knows how long it will take to arrive!

Gps are not closed! Community nurses are really busy with a higher caseload then ever. So thinking they can just swap to triage is silly suggestion. Also some of these people arent even qualified to triage. If GPs did swabs, who would cover thier day to day caseload?

@Lumene

Managed to get a postal test after obsessively refilling out the online form all day. Goodness knows how long it will take to arrive!

How did you manage? I've been obsessively refreshing and it keeps saying they're out of postal tests.

There is a page that says this about drive thru testing:

About the test
you need to book your test as soon as possible
you or someone you live with must drive to the test site by car or small van
site staff will tell you if an assistant does the swab test for you or if you do it yourself
do not go to the site if you’re very unwell or if you’re at high risk (shielding) from coronavirus – choose a home test instead

do not go to the site if you’re very unwell or if you’re at high risk (shielding) from coronavirus – choose a home test instead

Then when you click on 'choose a home test' instead which is a link it says this.

"This service is currently very busy
More tests should be available later. If you cannot book a test now, or the location or time are not convenient, try again in a few hours.

WarningDo not call the helplines – you will not be able to get a test this way."

So you can't call the helplines and you can't get home tests. Plus I don't get any sites for drive through or walk in test sites so......

All our data are going to be SOOOO accurate.

Sorry @IloveJKRowling I think it must just be luck.

I've spent 4 hours today looking for a test. No luck.

I was told 8pm is a good time to look. I managed to get a test slot at 8.15pm last night for 9am this morning. 40 miles away, but beggars and choosers...