Anyone else still never had a test?

[crayray]

I don't know if this is rare or even if I'm doing something wrong by not having tested. However, since the beginning of the pandemic the only time I've had symptoms was at the very beginning when you couldn't get a test (even then I only had very mild symptoms that didn't exactly fit the description). I've not been told to test by track and trace. I've not been required by work to test and I've not travelled overseas. So I guess the only reason I would have tested is for non-symptomatic testing. I'm not sure whether we're all supposed to be doing that regularly?

Just wondered if I've missed something or whether it's unusual not to have tested ever?

I've tested but only as part of the oxford university ONS study (and only doing that cos we get vouchers for doing it haha). And that is a self swab at home. I've never had symptoms or been pinged and don't go anywhere where a LFT has been needed.

I haven't. I work from home, as does my husband, our kids don't need to test as too young and we've never been symptomatic.

My household has carried out one LFT two weeks ago.

I don't work and most of my social contact is outdoors anyway so my life is very low risk.
DH has only recently returned to a near empty office so his life is also rather low risk.
DCs go to a primary school and have not needed to isolate until 2 weeks ago.

We've never been in a situation that meets the criteria to test at the time.

It's test and trace.

You are not a parcel.

I've done one test-centre test (negative) that I needed in order to travel during strict restrictions, to give my brother respite from caring for my mother and to help move my parents into a care home.

Since then I've had a few lateral flows due to visiting the care home, work meetings and when DC came back from uni - all checking that no one was contagious. All negative. Don't think I've had it yet. Only one in our family who hasn't. I had a killer flu about six years ago and severe post viral fatigue for months afterwards - quite like Long Covid symptoms. I wonder if that gave me better immunity against other corona viruses.

You're right it's not up to me to police it- it's up to individuals to use their own common sense and responsibility, which it's clear from this thread many aren't.

Dp has not a test. Me and 2dc all have but all negative. There hasn't been a time that dp would even need a test - he never picks anything up! Not even colds!

Done lots of lateral flow through DC school being part of a testing scheme but not had a PCR.

Me and Dw have never tested. We don't have kids, I work from home, and dw wasn't working until now. we have also never had symptoms so no need to test.

I’ve done one lateral flow test, for no other reason than just to see what it’s like.

I’ve been wfh since the pandemic began but otherwise have been going to the supermarket, to restaurants, pubs and people’s houses etc

@valnevavaxx

You're right it's not up to me to police it- it's up to individuals to use their own common sense and responsibility, which it's clear from this thread many aren't.

Actually, it seems they are.

Posters that have little to no contact with others, are fully vaccinated, no DC at school and nobody working outside the home are using their common sense to conclude that there's no need to use a pretty unreliable test twice a week.

If I have symptoms, I'll isolate and order a PCR. Otherwise, nope.

@TheVampiresWife Good for you. Lots on here stating that just because they don't have symptoms they won't be testing- when that is literally what the LFTs are for. I am sure there are some people who never leave the house or come into contact with others, for the vast majority I am not sure that's the case.

@valnevavaxx

You're right it's not up to me to police it- it's up to individuals to use their own common sense and responsibility, which it's clear from this thread many aren't.

I am using common sense. Why would I test when I don't go anywhere? I live alone, and have no kids.

@valnevavaxx

Were you all asleep when the government suggested we all use LFT's regularly? It doesn't have to just be because of work or because you have kids, it's the responsible thing to do.

Lots of people saying "I've never had symptoms"- LFTs are to catch asymptomatic cases, that's the whole point. Yes they're not perfect but if they even catch 1 in 50 people who would have otherwise walked around unknowingly spreading the virus that's better than nothing?

The government may have "suggested" that, however they failed to realise one thing. MAny people can not afford to self isolate, especially when they have no symptoms.

Many people cannot work from home, and if their employer only offers ssp, they just cannot afford the missed wages. Feeding their family and keeping a roof over their head becomes more important to them.

My partners work now offer voluntary lft. 3 workers tested positive, so were sent home to organise pcr tests. All three were negative. 2 days wages lost for each of them. Guessing after that less staff will be doing them.

Me, DH - none at all, even an LF.
No symptoms, WFH since last March, no need.
Both double jabbed, no tinfoil hats at all.
Kids have LFs for school and have been negative every single time.
I only know one person who has had Covid.

@valnevavaxx

Were you all asleep when the government suggested we all use LFT's regularly? It doesn't have to just be because of work or because you have kids, it's the responsible thing to do.

Lots of people saying "I've never had symptoms"- LFTs are to catch asymptomatic cases, that's the whole point. Yes they're not perfect but if they even catch 1 in 50 people who would have otherwise walked around unknowingly spreading the virus that's better than nothing?

You must've been asleep during a lot more than a government briefing if you still don't know they're a unreliable, environmentally disastrous piece of theatre. Probably best you don't try and lecture anyone else about the right thing to do.

What job do you and household do OP? If you've been working from home or retired I guess you could have been fairly shielded from bugs

I made it up to nay this year without having a test. Since then I’ve had three after a run of getting unwell. The one yesterday was positive. Covid is nasty and it has wiped me out despite me having one dose of the vaccine.

I’ve never had cause to do a PCR, but done lots of LFTs. I’m sure it’s not that rare. I’ve been very healthy with just one snotty cold.

Never had a PCR. Did a LFT once, 3 weeks ago when we were isolating awaiting a PCR result for DP.

I’ve had one cold in the past 18 months and only had a stuffy nose & blocked ears - no headache, cough or anything similar.

I've not had to do a test yet. I've not had any symptoms and somehow I've not been in any bubbles that have burst. Ds hadn't been sent home from school due to covid either. I do work from home though and I've been staying home as much as humanly possible though.

Nope I've not tested either. Nor have my parents nor my DH.

Not been near anyone tested positive and not felt poorly

I guess im lucky that I only know of 4 people, who I only speak to on phone or internet, that have tested positive since the start..

@Chocolatebuttercream

What job do you and household do OP? If you've been working from home or retired I guess you could have been fairly shielded from bugs

DH are both working from home and have been since March last year. DS goes to nursery.

Never had a PCR. I've done 2 LFTs so far.

I havent, but I did have a horrendous dry cough (I was coughing for several hours everyday for three weeks), this was before it was out there to isolate back in Feb to early March 2020.

The doctors told me at the time it wasnt covid. Because I had not travelled abroad. But you know, it possibly was.