is this safe?

[Lifeispassingby]

Still reading messages in here and SM ’Ive has a covid test I don’t have covid so I can mix’ or ‘get everyone a test then those who don’t have it can have xmas’ do people actually think this is safe? I thought the incubation period is 10days hence the 10 days isolation period? Meaning you can be tested on day 3 and be negative but be positive on day 5? I’m now confused and wonder what I’m missing?

You aren't missing anything.

There does seem to be an alarmingly large number of people who don't understand the concept of incubation period.

Yes people don't understand that you are only negative until you aren't. A friend of mine got sent home to isolate as someone else as positive at work & got a test that day "for reassurance". I asked if she was going to have one every day until the 10 days were up. This is why it's hard to get a test at the moment.

Respond with this

I agree that testing can't be used to replace isolation when somebody's been exposed and shouldn't be used as an excuse to break the rules but for those people who are allowed to mix on Christmas Day and haven't been exposed in the last week or so, getting a test just provides an extra layer of reassurance doesn't it? I can't see a problem with that.