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Original poster

All adults (in England)* to be offered twice-weekly tests

312 replies

MiaMc · 05/04/2021 07:53

How do we think this is going to work?

Reportedly only 20% of people with symptoms are referring themselves for formal testing. So unfortunately I can’t imagine take up of this being high unless it becomes mandatory to show evidence of the result in certain situations.

Sadly, too many people seem to take the view that if something isn’t going to benefit them directly they can’t see why they should do it.

Then there will be those people who come up with excuses as to why they should be exempt. If take up isn’t high enough and people don’t do the test correctly it’s going to seem like an expensive pointless exercise.

  • [Title edited by MNHQ to make it clear this relates to England only, and that tests are being offered but are not mandatory. Original title said: All adults to test themselves twice per week]
OP posts:
Original poster
MiaMc · 05/04/2021 09:21

I’m sorry I didn’t expect so many people to identify with being an ingnorant wanker.

Seriously though I apologise if I’ve caused offence. It was an ignorant comment that has completely derailed the thread.

OP posts:
Thirtyrock39 · 05/04/2021 09:21

When we were initially offered this at work I wasn't keen because of the impact I thought it could have (imagined lots of isolation but no symptoms etc) but since I've changed to a much more frontline nhs role I've been doing tests since feb and the kids are at school and dh is as a teacher. It is reassuring and touch wood no positives yet

maddiemookins16mum · 05/04/2021 09:21

I’ve worked in our office throughout, having to go to the testing place every week is a pain. I’ll be ordering mine for at home asap.

Sebw · 05/04/2021 09:21

It's a no from me

AaronPurr · 05/04/2021 09:21

Kids do yes, and that makes some sense as they can't be vaccinated and are in mass indoor environments.

It's not compulsary for school children either.

LIZS · 05/04/2021 09:22

Employers requiring employees to come into offices, workshops etc have already been able to access this as are volunteers.

epcot15 · 05/04/2021 09:23

@Jo99996 Me too!

zzzebra · 05/04/2021 09:24

@EffOrf

Another pointless expensive exercise. They should be putting money into supporting those that do have to isolate so that they do isolate.
This.

The main reason people don't test is because they can't afford to isolate for 10days. If they make isolating affordable then people will be motivated to test.

If a household with 2 people on average wage have to isolate and can't work from home they loose over £1500. They still have to pay nursery fees, rent and mortgage.

epcot15 · 05/04/2021 09:24

@coronafiona

You have to if you've got school age children anyway.
No you don't
epcot15 · 05/04/2021 09:27

@sirfredfredgeorge

It's theatre, it's pretty clear that there are still huge proportions of the country scared, the "everyone test twice a week" theatre will allow them to feel re-assured and return to more active and healthy life.
Exactly this. We'll end up like Israel if we're not careful. People just seem to be lapping up restriction after restriction.
SilverGlitterBaubles · 05/04/2021 09:27

@frumpety

How much is this going to cost the Government and the taxpayer ?

If it is optional, are the people who won't test anyway as they don't want to have to isolate or are not concerned about having or spreading covid, are we going to see people in that group using it ? I doubt it.

The tests are already held by the government and were ordered and purchased long ago before they knew they were not accurate. The money is already spent so we may as well use them.
ChardonnaysPetDragon · 05/04/2021 09:31

Not doing it. I'm self employed, and no one is going to cover my loss or earnings.

I've been vaccinated, surely if someone doesn't want to catch it then they can get the vaccine as well.

SilverGlitterBaubles · 05/04/2021 09:31

@sirfredfredgeorge

It's theatre, it's pretty clear that there are still huge proportions of the country scared, the "everyone test twice a week" theatre will allow them to feel re-assured and return to more active and healthy life.
This is also true that so many are still utterly terrified and have no real concept of risk. People who are vaccinated are refusing to return to the workplace but quite happy for those of us who have not to shoulder the burden of them WFH. It's not a sustainable situation.
Eaumyword · 05/04/2021 09:32

@DinosaurDiana

I’m doing twice weekly lateral flows for work, and my DS is for school. I find it quite reassuring.
Me too. I think constant testing plus vaccination is the way out of this.
TheOneWithTheBigNose · 05/04/2021 09:34

@ChardonnaysPetDragon

Not doing it. I'm self employed, and no one is going to cover my loss or earnings.

I've been vaccinated, surely if someone doesn't want to catch it then they can get the vaccine as well.

While I agree in principle (and won’t be taking the tests either), remember that half of us haven’t been offered the vaccine yet.
ChardonnaysPetDragon · 05/04/2021 09:37

That's true, of course. Sorry.

My response was influenced by the many "I don't want the vaccine" posts here.

ChardonnaysPetDragon · 05/04/2021 09:37

Not here as on the thread, just generally.

TrefoilTrefoil · 05/04/2021 09:38

I think I’ve just reached my limit Coronavirus-wise. Things seem to be getting less normal, not more.

Unpleasant tests that don’t seem to be all that accurate, to be done very regularly. Comments about how this is the way back to normality very familiar.

What measure is going to be enough?

megletthesecond · 05/04/2021 09:40

Good.
I'm already doing it as my dc's are at secondary.

Vaccinated people really need to do the tests so we can tell how well the vaccination programme works. It's painful how people don't get these basics a year in.

Hairwizard · 05/04/2021 09:46

Ffs. They can get to fuck.

Hairwizard · 05/04/2021 09:47

Just more bs to keep this fucking charade going. Ridiculous now.

islockdownoveryet · 05/04/2021 09:47

I think it’s a good idea , in my experience they work . And yes to people who have been vaccinated to also get tested too as my dh has been vaccinated and still tested positive. Obviously those on low incomes that can’t afford ssp I completely understand the reluctance .

MaudesMum · 05/04/2021 09:51

"Vaccinated people really need to do the tests so we can tell how well the vaccination programme works. It's painful how people don't get these basics a year in." No one is saying that this is the reason for these tests - I'd assumed that scientists were doing proper studies on vaccinated groups, if only to get a sense of when vaccines stop being effective. It would seem rather more sensible to do that than leave it to mass self-selective testing....

the80sweregreat · 05/04/2021 09:52

Back in late March 2020 my friend was really ill with suspected covid.
111 got back to her and answered her question ' we are not testing anyone' so she had no idea if she had it or not.

She isolated as she could work from home and was fine , luckily.

I remember doctors on the tv saying that masks ' don't work ' people don't wear them properly , ineffective etc. In fact the mask situation was brought up a lot and it was all ' no no no'
We now have to do all these things.
I hate doing the tests and wearing masks but I do it , even if I feel a bit duped that both are now needed when this time last year it wasn't and I'm sure that the vaccine passport will go the same way too. We will need it and show it everywhere.