Wondering if anyone hasn’t been tested for covid yet?

[NotSure1542]

I haven’t done a single test since the start of the pandemic and some people find it strange I haven’t. Surely can’t be the only one? Haven’t done lateral flow or PCR…

The government recommendation ages ago was for everyone to do a LTF twice a week to pick up pre- and asymptomatic cases and to protect everyone. There's nothing to be proud of if you've never taken a test. How have you never attended an appointment or event where it was needed, or decided with friends or family for everyone to test before meeting as a group?

Had my first tests 3 weeks ago for travel to the Uk. Hadn’t needed any beforehand. Baby born during first lockdown and didn’t get tested at hospital either. Have been working from home since and no symptoms.

@nordica - that might have been the case in England. Here ( mainland Europe), testing has never been recommended unless travel or symptoms. There have been no postal test options.

@nordica What appointments or events am I supposed to have attended to need a test?

No. I haven't. I'm retired though and was shielding through the worst of it.

[quote PheasantsNest]@nordica What appointments or events am I supposed to have attended to need a test?[/quote]
I have done lateral flow tests before going to a wedding, before going to a hospital appointment, before going to the theatre, before meeting vulnerable family members etc. And regularly for work. Tests weren't required for any of these, but it's surely the responsible thing to do?

Obviously, if you never go anywhere or meet anyone, the need doesn't really arise.

Me, no tests. I go out twice a day at least, but it's into countryside often tbf.

I haven't been to GP surgery, theatre, wedding or hospital in > 4 yrs. The few vulnerable people I rarely see, they don't LFT themselves before we meet, either.

ps: we're still banned officially from going into office, although I think many go in anyway.

@AlexaShutUp

If you don't ever go anywhere or see anyone, then I don't think it's surprising in the slightest. There isn't really any need.

If you're out and about living a fairly ordinary life, then I'd be a bit unimpressed that you had never done a lateral flow. It's just a sensible preventative measure to keep other people safe. Never having done one isn't anything to boast about.

I have done my first pcr test this week because dd has covid. Picked up via a routine lateral flow that she did when asymptomatic. Thankfully, the lateral flow test stopped her from going into school and spreading it further.

I'm leading a normal life, no masks required either, and I've only had one test. I'm not in the UK though, and there is hardly any covid here so it's not necessary.

Dh has never done a test. There have been occasional when he should at least have done a lateral flow test imho, but he has declined to do so.

Lost count of how many I’ve done!

I LFT if I’m mixing for more than a pop in the shop. So out for lunch with family, LFT. Day out somewhere, LFT.
Thankfully haven’t had to PCR ...yet.
I’ve got them at home. So just seems sensible.

I do regular lateral flows, but not yet a PCR (although both DDs have had 1 each due to symptoms)

I know a few who refuse to do any kind of testing at all - mostly conspiracy folks tho
Plus my sisters severely sen child who cannot be tested

I’ve done LTFs (all neg) but haven’t had a PCR.
DP has done a few LTFs (all neg) only had one PCR - had a cough - neg.
DD has never done a LTF (she’s 6) and has only had one PCR - cough and temp - neg.
DS has only had one PCR - advice of PHE as he’d had contact - neg.

Nope, not a single one.

I would do one if I had any symptoms, but nothing so far, so just carrying on with busy life as normal.

I havent done a test because I thought I might have covid. I complied with my employer's request to do a LFT on 2 occasions because he felt we should be seen to be testing and I did a PCR in order to have a medical procedure. All negative of course.

None of us had taken any tests up until August when I had a steroid injection and needed to be extra vigilant. Lo and behold the second week I tested positive! I wouldn't have known if I hadn't done the LFT either - I'd had a few sneezing fits and a migraine for a few days but neither of those things are unusual for me, and they may well have not been covid symptoms. DH did his first ever test when I tested positive and he turned out to be, too. Completely asymptomatic, he'd never have known.

Illustrates the usefulness of asymptomatic testing very well I think!

Never done a PCR, though.

I haven't done any tests and neither has dh. Ds1 has had one test last winter (negative)

Loads of LFs, one PCR

Never done a PCR, done several rapid antigen tests though as work asked us to start doing them twice a week

I'm retired and have never taken a test.

I’ve only done lft and only because I have to in order to visit my dad in his care bone