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Original poster

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:
DuckonaBike · 04/08/2021 18:41

This is a really sensible idea. As others have said, we’re going to have to learn to live with the virus, and testing regularly / before big events is one of the things that will help us to do that.

Watapalava · 04/08/2021 18:56

People are not understanding op

This isn’t about making the friends take test for sake of it

It’s asking her dc mates to test so her dc can meet them instead of isolating prior to going on holiday

Everyone I know who has or is planning on going abroad has stopped meeting others shortly before or been very careful of who they need to avoid testing positive or being T&T

I’d never dream of asking any other time but prior to a Spanish holiday absolutely

Darbs76 · 04/08/2021 19:05

No point, I tested negative for a few days via LFT before started showing positive so one of them could be negative but the next day positive. If you’re really worried and right to be as so many people testing positive now best to avoid seeing them before your holiday

BlobbyBloo · 04/08/2021 19:21

What a bunch of chicken littles. I do not think you can 'suggest' other people take a test to try and avoid ruining your holiday. Possibly ask but not suggest.

BlobbyBloo · 04/08/2021 19:22

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

Then keep yourself and your family isolated so you cannot catch it. Problem solved.

RoseWineTime · 04/08/2021 19:26

YANBU

Remmy123 · 04/08/2021 19:32

Get them to meet outside not inside

Amboseli · 04/08/2021 19:53

A normal life now is going to be different to pre pandemic normal. It's a new normal and we all have to accept that. The new normal means testing in certain circumstances if you're a reasonable and responsible person and considerate of your friends and family.

ineedaholidaynow · 04/08/2021 20:04

Interesting how a number of posters have said their teens are doing this when meeting up. Seems they don’t have a problem with doing it

Wellbythebloodyhell · 04/08/2021 20:13

By all means you can suggest they all test out of courtesy of each other and respective families not just so you can go on your holiday but I don't think you can demand or enforce it

Original poster
PeacheyPeach · 04/08/2021 22:11

@redtoothbrush not really lecturing people just responding to comments about making my kids suffer more and how I need to get my anxieties sorted!
I'm not demanding anyone take tests just a suggestion, and when I mentioned it to the dteens they didn't have a problem with it, so it's no bother to them anyway.

OP posts:
RedToothBrush · 04/08/2021 22:47

@Darbs76

No point, I tested negative for a few days via LFT before started showing positive so one of them could be negative but the next day positive. If you’re really worried and right to be as so many people testing positive now best to avoid seeing them before your holiday
This.

Taking a test may lead to taking riskier behaviour than you otherwise would because its 'safe'.

If you are that bothered, stay away from people or meet up and make sure you distance outside.

RedToothBrush · 04/08/2021 22:50

@ineedaholidaynow

Interesting how a number of posters have said their teens are doing this when meeting up. Seems they don’t have a problem with doing it
This is said as if its a good or healthy thing to be so passive about authority and controls in everyday life to this degree...

... Kids may just do it because they are taught its what they should do rather than critically think of why it might not be so healthy to their freedoms.

RoseWineTime · 04/08/2021 22:54

I think terms are lateral flow testing but not always getting a pcr when they test positive. They tell their friends so they can isolate or lateral flow test, rather than telling test and trace. They don’t want to “dob” any of their friends in.

Againstmachine · 04/08/2021 22:57

Because in the VAST majority of cases, it's anti-vaxxers scaremongeing, and making up stories to try to put people off having the covid vaccine.

Sorry can't stop laughing, teens have met up all during this and I can pretty much bet that most aren't doing test before.

LBOCS2 · 04/08/2021 23:01

I think in the case where it will impact your (big, expensive, holiday related) plans if someone catches Covid, it's a completely reasonable thing to ask.

FWIW, we saw DSis and her husband a couple of days before we went on holiday a fortnight ago and I asked them to do a LFT before they came to ours. They were both perfectly happy to do it and I would be if the situation was reversed.

speckledostrichegg · 04/08/2021 23:07

I wouldn't just as I think the LFTs are next to useless for individual testing for green light situations.

But would have absolutely no problem doing one if someone asked me to. A woman at work actually did ask before we had group drinks, no one cared or made a fuss.

Pepperama · 04/08/2021 23:07

Totally reasonable. We do LTFs before meeting up indoors

Covid isn’t over as much as we’d like it to be, rates are still high, not everyone is vaccinated, and even if vaccinated you can develop long covid.

I think we need to go back to normality, but the new normal should involve masks and tests and distancing till Covid rates come right down.

Whathefisgoingon · 05/08/2021 06:47

Totally normal. What everyone SHOULD be doing is a quick test before they go to indoor places or see other groups of people, which is why we get free lateral flows and free walk in PCR’s.

Chickenandegg8 · 05/08/2021 07:00

You can ask, but there’s nothing to stop them lying and telling you they’ve had a negative test when in fact they’ve not tested at all.
I think if you are worried about missing your holiday it would be best not to see them.

I understand your concern, we went on holiday 3 days after my dd finished school, but we took the chance and kept sending her in. Luckily she had no positive cases in her class and we were able to go.

clickychicky · 05/08/2021 07:03

Why are you even asking if it's what you want to do anyway? Just ask them nicely, you can't "make" them.

Antsinyourpanta · 05/08/2021 07:05

I sit next to someone at work who was displaying one of the covid symptoms. I asked them if they minded getting tested and they said they would get one.

cantkeepawayforever · 05/08/2021 10:48

Kids may just do it because they are taught its what they should do rather than critically think of why it might not be so healthy to their freedoms.

What freedom are they giving up - other than the freedom to unknowingly infect their friends with a virus that, if caught, means 10 days of isolation from jobs, holidays, start of uni or work, opportunity to have second vaccination on time etc? All of DD’s friends are over 18 but have only gad their first jab, so contact isolation will still apply for them after the 16th. What ‘freedoms’ are they sacrificing by spending a couple of minutes testing? They are fully aware that the tests are not perfect - like they know that looking both ways when crossing the road doesn’t reduce pedestrian deaths to zero - but actually feel greater freedom to meet and have fun together with that small act of testing.

UnsuitableHat · 05/08/2021 10:55

Seems a sensible idea OP, and after all you’re only suggesting; at no stage have you mentioned demanding or dictating Smile I spent a weekend with some friends a few weeks ago and the one hosting asked us all to do a test when we got there; no problem at all. Covid is still around. You are getting some weird responses!

Frannibananni · 05/08/2021 10:59

Honestly I thought you were joking. Appears I was wrong 😲