AIBU to say if you have a cough get a test

[ShouldWeChangeTheBulb]

I’m getting increasing pissed off with people online and IRL about not getting tested because ‘it’s just a cold’ or it’s ‘obviously not Covid’. FWIW I don’t get annoyed if someone visits family even though their not supposed to in their area. I think it’s inhuman not to have social contact so I can understand that but for god sake if you actually have symptoms lockdown straight away and get tested. I know it’s a pain in the arse but not wanting to do something is not a good reason for not doing it.
For context we are currently locked down as DS has it (he caught if from his teacher). When I tell people his symptoms I’ve lost count of how many people say ‘my dd has those symptoms but she had a runny nose last week so it’s just a cold’. You cannot tell if it’s Covid or not, the symptoms can be the same as any other illness.

@NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace are you winding me up? Too literally?
You don’t want to get tested because you can’t be arsed and don’t care enough. Stop trying to justify it.

I’ve asked for this thread to be moved to the coronavirus forum

@NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace

You need to lockdown and try to get a test because you have a new continuous cough. Those are the guidelines

Well, that's not happening. I think you're interpreting the guidelines too literally.

Well there’s no point getting a test now because you should have done that within 5 days of the onset of symptoms.

I think you're interpreting the guidelines too literally

How dare you read government guidelines assume that they are actually a list of things you should do. I bet you are the type to keep your kids off school for 48 hrs when they have sickness too.

[quote ShouldWeChangeTheBulb]@Threeisnotacrowd it’s not ‘new’ if you always cough. You do not need to test.[/quote]
Exactly. But the post is insinuating that op thinks everyone she meets with a cough should be at home.

If you stand next to someone at the petrol station and they cough then you have no idea of their health so it’s not your place to pass comment

I had a bad cough this week (no temp) and couldn't get a test.

@ShouldWeChangeTheBulb

I am in no way winding you up. I'm not the kind of woman who does that. I have a cold. It's not nothing to do with 'being arsed'. But you seem to know me better than I know myself ....

And ..... I don't need to justify anything to anyone on here and I'm not trying to. I'm merely stating the facts.

@NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace so why don’t you want to test then? The guidance asks you to test why wouldn’t you just do it?

@Frownette that’s different if you can’t get tested then you have to lockdown and hope it wasn’t. But my issue is with people who think they know better than the guidance.

Just for clarity I wouldn’t give someone looks in Tesco because they coughed. I have known people with long term respiratory illness. This is in no way a dig at them.

Op

I'm guessing you are not financially minded. We do not have testing capacity to test everyone with the level of mild symptoms you suggest require testing. We cannot afford a) testing on that basis b) people who are unable to access tests (ue to lack of capacity) to self isolate for 14 days.

If we follow your advice, we will have people quite literally starving in the streets. Refuse piling up uncollected covered in rats. Short staffed hospitals. Etc etc.

You need to get a grip on what is possible.

@ShouldWeChangeTheBulb

Well why are we bothering at all then? So some of use follow the rules and pick up the slack because you don’t want to. If it’s a new cough or it had got worse then you absolutely should test. Why wouldn’t you?

Because. You. Can't. In an ideal world, yes. But there currently isn't the lab capacity to run all the tests that are needed. So a pragmatic approach, as others have said, is required at the moment. If your cough is probably because you have asthma, or accompanies an obvious cold, then no, you probably shouldn't request a test until there are enough for everyone. It's shit, and it will lead to some people unknowingly spreading Covid but it's the current reality.

so why don’t you want to test then?

Because I don't need to.

I know what's wrong with me.

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland
If Covid continues to spread and we all have to lockdown again because of people like you the effects on the economy will be worse. I’m not suggesting anything other than following the guidelines that are all ready there.

@millymollymoomoo

This is why there is testing shortages A dry persistent new cough = test Fought with mucus, occasional cough, asthmatic cough etc= no test

Get a grip

This

And do please stop saying "just get a test". There are parts of the country where there are no tests. The number of tests quoted by the government as being available per day, only 40% of that is what is available to the general public as community testing. The rest includes antibody testing (a huge chunk) testing carried out by the government for monitoring, and hospital/medical staff testing. There is far less community test capacity available than people may be aware.

@NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace
You don’t know what wrong with you that why there is a test. If we could all just ‘know’ there wouldn’t need to be a test.

Yes you are.

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland
I have already stated that if you cannot get a test then you should lockdown.

My 17 week baby has a consistent cough

I tried to get a test but I couldn’t and I don’t think I’d want to test her either

She’s been like it for weeks.

Doctors aren’t interested and just say some babies cough

@ShouldWeChangeTheBulb

A small cough is enough to get a test. As long as you have coughed more than three times in 24 hours.

Stop making shit up

I do believe in testing?! My son had a new continuous cough and temperature two weeks ago. We stayed home & got tested. It was negative.

All the testing in the world isnt in reality going to stop the spread. Like any bug, it is infectious before symptoms show, meaning only really a lockdown can properly halt it, albeit temporarily.

Please do try to calm the fuck down. Treatment has improved. Many of the very frail people who were always going to be most susceptible already died prematurely in the first wave. We know far more now, people are wearing masks, distancing etc.
The actual risk to the vast majority is low.

This is why there is testing shortages
A dry persistent new cough = test
Fought with mucus, occasional cough, asthmatic cough etc= no test

Asthmatic cough that is not new or worse = no test.

In England there is no mention of ‘dry’ in the description of the cough.

Occasional cough (less than 3 episodes per 24hours) = no test