dm has asked us if we could take a test before she comes to us for christmas day

[Skipsurvey]

i think it will
lull us into a false sense of security
cause a back log in the labs

and generally not be the best idea

Yes, the NHS tests have been made available to the students, but not the general public unless they have symptoms.

If she's worried, the safest thing that can be done is for her to stay at home, unless you can totally isolate in the house from now onwards. Appreciate it's not easy though, I have an elderly Mum.

Surely if you have a test and it is negative it doesn’t mean you will definitely be negative for when you mum visits.
Maybe it would just be better to fully isolate for a couple of weeks beforehand instead.

The problem is, if everyone decides to do that (an many will), there’ll end up being no appointments and no capacity in the labs. This will cause backlogs and mean that those people who actually need a test won’t be able to get one. Then you’ll end up with people who can’t get tests thinking ‘ah well I’m sure I’m fine’ and going to relatives anyway, thus increasing transmission...

thank you @starfish4 for your words

It is her decision I guess

@Skipsurvey

actually i think they are testing 11 to 18 year olds arent they?

Tier 2 in London and the south but not tier 3 in the north.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/12/11/covid-19-test-mass-testing-coronavirus-book-uk-nhs-results/

This article explains the accuracy of the tests, false negatives and where the mass testing is available.

Oh no, ive just realised @LadyCatStark is right. There will be thousands/millions of selfish arseholes who lie to get an nhs test just before Christmas. It's going to cause major problems for those who actually need one.

If you don't have symptoms all it shows is that you don't have it right at that moment. It will not show whether COVID is in your system incubating. Pointless

If you are not showing symptoms then you don’t need a test, think of the problems it will cause if everyone decides to take a test ... just incase.

We have made the decision not to see mil at Christmas, she is in a bubble with sil so to keep her safe-she is vulnerable health wise- we have decided not to visit.

My best friend has also made the decision not to see her mum as she doesn’t want to pass anything on.

If your mil is that worried then she needs to make a decision for herself to keep her safe, Christmas is only one day after all,

The fast test have a very high false negative rate. They are only useful on a population level they do not tell you you are not Covid-19 positive.

Pointless

Please don't be selfish and use NHS resources for this purpose. Use Boots or Superdrug instead and pay.
A test shows if you have covid at that time the test was done. You still could be incubating the virus .
If you all self isolate beforehand you won't need to pay for a test.

I heard they were doing like Liverpool

Here we can get test when we want - I’m tested with work but we are all being tested at a walk in Xmas eve or maybe day before

Anyone can here

To be clear in the mass testing areas if like Liverpool, we were told to test and test again and again

No symptoms at all

It was published all over daily go for a test without symptoms

[quote StatisticalSense]@PuppyMonkey
No area is introducing general community testing. Some areas may be introducing targeted testing for parts of the community with the highest rates but it's still not a case of a test who whoever demands one.[/quote]
It is in Merthyr tydfil

@Skipsurvey

the government suggested students take tests to leave university and travel home

Yup mass testing is being encouraged in university towns as students are all planning on travelling home (and not being able to get a test is unlikely to stop them).

University staff have now been included so I can get a test too which is good! But it's only set up in certain places, definitely don't misuse the PCR tests in regions where they're prioritised for those with symptoms

Would she pay for private tests for you all? They are expensive though.

It's ridiculous that we have been so massively conditioned by austerity to think that we "shouldn't waste precious resources" by having a test that might mean we choose not to mix with and thus infect vulnerable people.

it is £160 here

so £160 x 4

Plus self isolating from when the test is taken- so all deliveries etc before then

So test 23rd am? Results back 24th PM ready for arrival

No leaving home/getting deliveries/popping to the shop after the point of the test

You do not have to isolate if you test asymptomatically

Oh I see you mean so you don’t pick it up

A negative test on one day doesn't mean anything the next. I wouldn't bother and to be honest I wouldn't be getting together with someone who isn't completely comfortable with the situation.

My parents would be the same (particularly as my grandmother lives with them) so we've taken the decision not to visit this Christmas. This will be the first time in many years and it's very disappointing for us all, but I think deep down my mum is relieved as I know she's worried.

@Ginogineli

Oh I see you mean so you don’t pick it up

Yes, otherwise having a test is pointless

Other option for Op is to self isolate from 10 days before

@arethereanyleftatall

There will be thousands/millions of selfish arseholes who lie to get an nhs test just before Christmas.

I wouldn’t call them selfish arseholes, I would call them worried but desperate not to be alone for Christmas after 8 shit months.

If I were seeing an elderly family member I would get a nhs test beforehand.

Is this her way of avoiding coming? Would you all be ok with doing Christmas separately this year? That is the safest option when it comes down to it.