LFT for volunteers, Aibu?

[NoBetterthanSheShouldBe]

I lead a quiet life. I have close contact with three people, two are very isolated by age and geography, one has LFT twice a week due to civil service job (not health related). I have a much-needed short break booked in the same county in a few days time.

I volunteer in an office with up to 4 other people. With the relaxation of rules, this will rise to max 7 in total next week and the organisations has said we must all have Lateral flow tests twice weekly.

Rates in my area are 29 per 100k. I am not prepared to risk a false positive cancelling my non-refundable holiday. AIBU to refuse?

False positives are rare. YABU.

If you refuse they should refuse to let you in the building!

Just because your a volunteer doesn’t mean you are any more or less likely to carry the virus

No, but they would not be unreasonable to refuse to allow you in the office.

(I am no fan of lateral flows but mostly because of the false sense of security they offer with their high false -ve rates).

Will you need to have done a LFT in the period before your holiday if it is very soon? I don't think false positives happen very often is it is unlikely this will happen on the the first ones you ever do.

Just volunteer from home or not at all in the run up to the short break. I wouldn't risk it for a volunteer post.

Why don't you take the time off prior to your break start testing on your return.

I think YABU yes. False positives are very very rare and would have to be configured eurgh a PCR test anyway so your break is unlikely to be affected at all. Time your lft for at least three days before you're due to depart, that should give you rich tine to do a PCR should it be necessary.

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@TheFuckThatIGave

I think YABU yes. False positives are very very rare and would have to be configured eurgh a PCR test anyway so your break is unlikely to be affected at all. Time your lft for at least three days before you're due to depart, that should give you rich tine to do a PCR should it be necessary.

Exactly this. A balance between the great work you do as a volunteer and protecting others😊

I do not drive so my understanding is a PCR would need to be by post, which means there isn’t time to follow the process before I leave on Wednesday at crack of dawn. I completely accept that if they don’t want me to come in I will go home again, and have agreed to do a test on my return.

Just wondered if IABU but I know coronavirus topics are unpopular in there.

Driving is not a requisite for a PCR test. You can do a walk in test.

You cannot be forced into doing LFTs so if you don’t want to do one, then don’t. My workplace has been doing them for a while, and it was made very clear that while the management strongly encourages their use, it’s optional and should only be done on a voluntary basis.

I'm almost certain that your line manager will understand if you say that you don't want to do an LFT on this occasion, and state your reason why, but will comply on your return. But I'm equally sure that she/he will ask that you miss your volunteering shifts until you start the LFT testing process.

Both would be reasonable.

@NoBetterthanSheShouldBe

I do not drive so my understanding is a PCR would need to be by post, which means there isn’t time to follow the process before I leave on Wednesday at crack of dawn. I completely accept that if they don’t want me to come in I will go home again, and have agreed to do a test on my return.

Just wondered if IABU but I know coronavirus topics are unpopular in there.

Turn around times are pretty quick at the moment for PCR tests, so I would do a LFT this morning.

If it's negative (which it's likely to be) great. If it's not, then order a home PCR test now (if you honestly can't get to a walk-in one), it will come tomorrow. You can send it back tomorrow and then most likely you'll get the results on Sunday, still giving you a few days leeway.

If it's negative, again great. If it's positive, then you've prevented spreading Covid to your close contacts and anyone else you might come into contact with whilst away.

Win-win-win.

YABU

The LFT is unlikely to arrive before Monday, but I am much reassured by pp faith in PCR turnaround times. I can walk to the test centre (to my surprise, previous one was a few miles away), panic over!

@NoBetterthanSheShouldBe

The LFT is unlikely to arrive before Monday, but I am much reassured by pp faith in PCR turnaround times. I can walk to the test centre (to my surprise, previous one was a few miles away), panic over!

@NoBetterthanSheShouldBe - LFTs can be picked up from your local chemist, no need to wait for them to be posted to you. You can find your nearest one by putting your post code in the link below:

maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk

I ordered lft tests late yday afternoon and they arrived this am.