DD had to have a lateral flow test to go to a 21st - would you ask for it?

[Bouledeneige]

DD was invited to go to a 21st during last week. I'm not sure on numbers but I think there were 12 of them there at a pub marquee. The hosts parents required her to take a lateral flow test today before going. They have no members of the family with vulnerable health conditions. She got some tests a few weeks ago from people giving them out in the street so it wasn't any extra bother.

Would you also request such a thing if it were your DC's 21st? I ask because my DD's 21st is in August and she plans to party in our garden - probably with similar numbers. It hadn't occurred to me to do something similar. I have been double jabbed and taken part in the Imperial antibodies research project which shows I'm positive for antibodies. The only other person who lives here out of uni term time is my DS.

Very sensible. We take one before seeing anyone else, a habit we got into through college. It’s no bother.

I'd take it if asked. It's no problem. I don't understand why anyone would object tbh

Where on Earth have you got the idea that lateral flow tests will be needed forever to keep us out of lockdown? they’re not free and the government aren’t going to keep paying for all these different measures indefinitely. Any of these measures like social distancing, self isolation, mandatory mask wearing, lateral flow testing etc are all going to be replaced by a vaccination programme that will make it unimportant if you catch Covid as long as you don’t have to go to hospital with it, or at least as long as there won’t be too many other people there at the same time if you do.

I do one before going to hairdressers, opticians etc. Would have no problem if someone asked me to do before going to their house etc.

Think it is common courtesy to do one for something like hairdresser appointment, now they are readily available

I wouldn't ask for this as I consider it an invasion of privacy. I would expect plenty of people to lie anyway. I wouldn't personally lie but I might be a no show depending on how I felt about the test, some days they are a pita to do.

Their party, their rules. Very responsible. And I would respect their wishes, end of.
Anyone who refuses, I wouldn’t to be around or be associated with. Selfish and complete lack of respect.

(almost) all the Yes responses explain their reasoning but (virtually) none of the No responses do.

I would happily do it, we all do regularly anyway.

As for how long it goes on - as long as we are in a pandemic is the obvious answer.

Reasoning for Chewbacca:

I don't agree with lockdown No covid zero covid policy this disease requires more drastic measures than any disease in history including more drastic sacrifices than have ever been done for malaria (kills 300,000 children under 5 every year).

There's no clear threshold when we'll be "safe enough" to stop all the social distancing & fear of covid, and until that threshold is clear then the situation is highly irrational. I refuse to support such a highly irrational situation.

saying "only while in a pandemic" is irrational because we all know the day the WHO declares the pandemic over, lots of measures will still be in place in some countries, and many critics will say WHO got it wrong.

I want to live with some risk in my life.

I don't like treating everyone as potentially plague ridden

LFTs aren't even that accurate -- false reassurance! Is a kicker

I wouldn't test the guests for Chlamidia, chickenpox, norovirus or measles, either

the virus IS very low risk to young people (thank goodness)

Hide now. No value in me getting flamed.

I don’t think I’d have thought to ask, but think it’s a sensible idea. Most people I know are doing them twice weekly anyway and are timing them in with when they have plans to see others/go somewhere potentially busy so I’d likely be doing one before such and event whether I was asked to or not.

almost) all the Yes responses explain their reasoning but (virtually) none of the No responses do.

I have plenty of people to hang out with and things to do that don’t require me taking a test to suit anyone’s parents, so if my Saturday afternoon or evening is a toss up between ‘event - test required’ and ‘event - no test required’, I’d pick the latter. Lateral flow tests are available to everyone to use at their discretion if they feel they need to, I don’t need someone else to instruct me if and when to take one. These restrictions and measures are utterly tedious when they’re mandatory, no one I know is looking to volunteer for any extras.

“ (almost) all the Yes responses explain their reasoning but (virtually) none of the No responses do.”

I would do it for someone else but wouldn’t demand it of someone else. I imagine my approach is why I have lots of invitations for different things and haven’t lost any friends over differences of opinion about covid

@loulouljh

I would take the opposite view..I would be horrified if anyone asked me to do this and would politely decline the invitation to attend!

I’d be very relieved you weren’t coming if I was a fellow guest. Enjoy the pix on Instagram 😂

I'd do it if requested, as I'm aware that different people have different levels of anxiety/concern at this particular moment, and I'd be happy to meet their particular concerns. Similarly, I'm meeting a small group of friends later this week and will be doing so in the garden, even though we're legally allowed to go indoors, as a couple of people are more comfortable with that. It's just good manners, isn't it?

I'm meeting up with friends more regularly now so testing twice weekly. It's not difficult to do and the responsible thing.

@MaudesMum

I'd do it if requested, as I'm aware that different people have different levels of anxiety/concern at this particular moment, and I'd be happy to meet their particular concerns. Similarly, I'm meeting a small group of friends later this week and will be doing so in the garden, even though we're legally allowed to go indoors, as a couple of people are more comfortable with that. It's just good manners, isn't it?

I totally agree MaudesMum. Good manners. Respect.

Bet all the "it's an invasion of my privacy" people will find the thing they're willing to test for eventually... a festival? A holiday? You'll get there in the end!

It's so truly not a big deal. I do it twice a week, it takes less time than brushing my teeth. Honestly, some people just want to look for something to huff and puff about.

That isn’t a contradiction I’d be willing to do loads of things for a festival or a holiday that I wouldn’t to go to someone’s small birthday gathering. Buy a ticket, for instance, or have my bag searched.

@Bouledeneige

A lateral flow test is no more reliable than an antibody test.

Everyone one I know is double jabbed or a student so even if people did get infected it won't really matter. Will it?

An antibody test is a blood test and very accurate at looking whether an individual currently has antibodies. Have a look here if you’re not sure www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/antibody-testing-to-check-if-youve-had-coronavirus/

Very different to a lateral flow test which you can read about here www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-lateral-flow-antigen-testing-for-people-without-symptoms

Your post indicates your lack of understanding.

I wouldn't ask attendees myself, but I wouldn't refuse when asked either. It takes seconds to do one. Why not? We've all got different views of what's necessary going forward socially, but I don't think that this a hill to choose to die on.

@GalesThisMorning

Bet all the "it's an invasion of my privacy" people will find the thing they're willing to test for eventually... a festival? A holiday? You'll get there in the end!

It's so truly not a big deal. I do it twice a week, it takes less time than brushing my teeth. Honestly, some people just want to look for something to huff and puff about.

I do it already for work - but I wouldn't think it correct to ask a friend to do this. It just feels like an overreach to me.

It hadn't crossed my mind but I think it's a good idea. I've just ordered some lateral flow tests now and will especially encourage dd to take them twice a week because she's out partying now with friends.

@MiddleParking

That isn’t a contradiction I’d be willing to do loads of things for a festival or a holiday that I wouldn’t to go to someone’s small birthday gathering. Buy a ticket, for instance, or have my bag searched.

And yes, the bag search is a good point.

@MiddleParking great! You've found the things you're willing to test for. I would test for festivals and holidays as well, and would also test if a friend if it made a friend feel more comfortable. It's such a minor inconvenience and it makes someone feel better. It's a non issue in my opinion.

Er, yep...sorry your incisive putdown didn’t quite go how you planned!

I'm not following you, @MiddleParking - did I put you down? It wasnt meant as a put down! The more people willing to test the better in my book.