Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Making friends take a test

76 replies

PeacheyPeach · 03/08/2021 23:43

We are due to go away in a few weeks. Dteens haven't seen their friends since end of school due to one thing or another so really want to meet up before we go away. Would it be unreasonable for me to suggest that they all take tests before meeting up as I don't want to run the risk of catching covid or we end.up having to isolate and miss out on our holiday!?

OP posts:
MarleneDietrichsSmile · 04/08/2021 08:15

No, you can’t really ask that

If your DC want to mingle, you take the risk.

Hidehi4 · 04/08/2021 08:19

I don’t see it as a problem but the lf tests are shite so yes they could be negative but at the same time could still have Covid

Iamtheweedonkey · 04/08/2021 08:20

I have done exactly this, we had a situation where I was very lucky not to isolate, would have ruined break away plans etc. My children were going on camp, lots of money spent, DD wanted boyfriend to pop over, so we all took tests. Perfectly fine, no issue at all. I would do it again too.

Firstworddinosaur · 04/08/2021 08:21

I think it's fine to ask. You're protecting your holiday.

Eilatan2018 · 04/08/2021 15:02

How rude are you?
Totally unecessary.

PeacheyPeach · 04/08/2021 15:54

Thank you everyone for your replies. It's good to know that the majority of you are on the same page as myself . For those who think I'm incredibly rude or need help with my anxieties (!!?) I think you may need to remember that covid hasn't gone away and we have to learn to deal with it. So this is how I'm dealing with it! Im about to go away for a very much needed break with my DC which as has already been pointed out they have suffered enough, so surely not having their holiday ruined by me sticking my head in the sand and thinking everything and everyone is covid free makes more sense!?

OP posts:
Twokitstwokats · 04/08/2021 16:33

I don't think that was much of a majority. I was asked to come to a bbq last month, but test me and the kids first. I said no thanks. If you want to socialise do, if you are too nervous then don't.

YarnOver · 04/08/2021 16:40

No - not reasonable to ask

campingfever · 04/08/2021 16:45

I think its reasonable, I wouldn't mind and would probably have tested without you asking anyway). Those saying "we need to learn how to live with the virus": well yes, we do. And things like not making a fuss about vaccinations & masks & testing are the key part of how we will manage to live with the virus.

Jobsharenightmare · 04/08/2021 16:57

Well said campingfever

ellenpartridge · 04/08/2021 17:01

Sure you can ask but don't be surprised if they say no. I would not agree to this as a precondition of meeting up.

Legoninjago1 · 04/08/2021 17:01

Nothing stopping you asking but think it's a bit unreasonable - sorry. If you're that worried about your holiday, they can meet up when you back can't they. Presume you're only going for a couple of weeks?

Caffeinemonster · 04/08/2021 17:05

@Eilatan2018

How rude are you? Totally unecessary.
She’s not asking them to take a STI test FFS. In what way is it rude? I genuinely don’t understand why it’s considered rude to ask people to check whether they have a virus that is in wide circulation and lots of people don’t realise they have it.
Intherightplace · 04/08/2021 17:10

I think you either have to take the risk, mitigated by them meeting outside, or postpone until after your holiday.

bizboz · 04/08/2021 17:13

Friends of ours asked us to do this as they were due to travel abroad to visit family. One of the tests came up positive so it was lucky we did test!

XenoBitch · 04/08/2021 17:13

I don't think it is unreasonable at all. I have been invited to a party in a few weeks time, and (if I make it there) would be fine with taking a test before hand, especially if all the other guests were too.

JustDanceAddict · 04/08/2021 17:16

I think it’s fine.
My teen has been asked a couple of times and he does it no quibble.
I would also do one prior to visiting a vulnerable person, but not every time I meet a friend.

LammasFires · 04/08/2021 17:18

DD has met up with friends several times, half a dozen of them.
They all took tests before, but they’re a logical bunch.

Sugarandtime · 04/08/2021 17:36

I think it’s probably best that you don’t arrange a meet up until after your holiday.

cantkeepawayforever · 04/08/2021 17:41

@LammasFires

DD has met up with friends several times, half a dozen of them. They all took tests before, but they’re a logical bunch.
DD and her friends (post Y13) routinely test before meeting up unless that meeting will be fully outside. Interestingly, 2 of them - including DD - have now had Covid, but it has never spread within the group.
WetBench · 04/08/2021 17:42

YANBU and sensible and joining the thousands that pulled their kids out of school for 10 days before holidays and weddings.

All those saying No and “we need to learn to live with the virus” bullshit, surely that’s what doing a LFT is? You do a test and can live life as normal not risk being isolated/getting covid?

Watapalava · 04/08/2021 17:59

Yes I did

Dd was isolating from school (meant to be anyway) and so where her friends

We had a holiday abroad booked so all took daily tests so they could still meet up during isolation period

riromay · 04/08/2021 18:18

No, that's unreasonable af

ineedaholidaynow · 04/08/2021 18:25

Teen DS has a part-time job, they have asked them to take tests before their shifts as there have been a few positive cases (not in his team so not a contact). He does them without complaint (in the same way he did them at school). He also took a test before going to the dentist. He knows I take takes before meeting up with DM or meeting other people indoors. In my mind this is how we learn to live with it, like having the vaccine. Tests don’t take long and they are not the worst thing in the world (speaking as someone who has an horrendous gag reflex)

Most young people probably wouldn’t have a problem with this, it’s usually the parents who complain or hold their hands up in horror

RedToothBrush · 04/08/2021 18:38

@PeacheyPeach

Thank you everyone for your replies. It's good to know that the majority of you are on the same page as myself . For those who think I'm incredibly rude or need help with my anxieties (!!?) I think you may need to remember that covid hasn't gone away and we have to learn to deal with it. So this is how I'm dealing with it! Im about to go away for a very much needed break with my DC which as has already been pointed out they have suffered enough, so surely not having their holiday ruined by me sticking my head in the sand and thinking everything and everyone is covid free makes more sense!?
Do you normally lecture people like this?

No one tells me what to do and I would take exception to your attitude even if happy to normally do tests.

Its ridiculous.

No covid hasn't gone away. But you still go to the supermarket and shops etc where you can't dictate others behaviour or whether they test.

That would be my problem. Not the covid test issue but your tone.