How do people still not know?!

[Biscoffandtea]

Currently on a self catering holiday for half term in the UK. My FIL turned arrived yesterday full of cold coughing continously. He said he's fine as he's done a LF. I pointed out as he has one on the main three symptoms he needs to have a PCR. He claims he had no idea that it was a requirement and doesn't know what the main symptoms of covid are. He said he would book a PCR but wasn't going to isolate whilst waiting for the results.

I'm so cross about it all 😤 How on earth, over 18 months later can people claim they don't know when they should get PCRs?!

As an update my FIL has decided to go home today as in his words he is not getting any better and I'm so relieved because I do not want me or my DCs catching whatwver he's has, covid or not. Given his attitude this week (which is actually not unusual for him) I'm certainly going to reevaluate whether we go on holiday with him again!

Of course people know they just can’t be arsed anymore. I mean I for one am not going to test now. I simply cannot be arsed.

What a selfish attitude - unbelievable

Ive 2 questions:

1. I thought LFTs couldn’t be used if you had symptoms?

1. Within the rules FIL is vaxxed he doesn’t have to isolate but should take a PCR then isolate if that comes back positive.

I don’t know about other countries but the U.K. seems to be doing something wrong as we are an outlier.

I reckon complex rules and not enough support for those needing to isolate etc.

@BananaBlue

Ive 2 questions:

1. I thought LFTs couldn’t be used if you had symptoms?

1. Within the rules FIL is vaxxed he doesn’t have to isolate but should take a PCR then isolate if that comes back positive.

I don’t know about other countries but the U.K. seems to be doing something wrong as we are an outlier.

I reckon complex rules and not enough support for those needing to isolate etc.

1. They can be used but aren't as sensitive so PCR still needed. Although that seems to be changing.

1. People still have to isolate until a negative PCR if they have symptoms.

I honestly feel such anger towards the selfish cunts who have decided Covid is over for them so fuck anyone else.

Do people realise that CEV people who are double vaccinated and about to have a booster are still advised to be very careful? To avoid unvaccinated people, to wear masks and socially distance indoors. It's not over and people are still getting very unwell and dying.
Yet people think it's ok to go out with symptoms which for many is cold/flu symptoms despite the govt checklist.

Yes we have more freedom now which is great, no-one wants to be in lockdown forever but that relies on people taking personal responsibility and thinking of others.
If people really can't be arsed to be slightly considerate then they deserve another lockdown. The rest of us are doing what we can and trying to make the best of a shitty situation.

Let me be clear, I absolutely understand that many people will hugely struggle financially with isolation/sick leave (me included) and I think it's criminal that the government isn't forcing employers to pay full pay for any Covid leave.

But, we all still have a responsibility to try and keep each other safe and most of the people I know with this attitude are able to WFH or are retired. No excuse.

PCRs are really really annoying to book - I booked one recently and it was about 500 questions and forms to fill in before I got anywhere near finding out what slots were available where. I did one for DS1 and had a bit of a thought to do DS2 at the same time (no symptoms but a snotty nose but he and DS1 are obviously together all the time) but the thought of going all the way through the 500 stage form again was a nightmare and there weren't even slots available at the same time in the same centre. So I did a LFT for both instead, both negative, and DS1's PCR came back negative anyway.

I can see why people don't bother with the amount of paperwork booking a pcr needs, especially when you only need an LFT to travel now and they have been widely reported in the press as being as good at picking up covid as a PCR. They need to get some UX person in from Amazon in to do a "book in 1 click!" style thing for that website.

@stillonthattightrope I agree with you. I am really surprised by the number of people on this thread who say they wouldn't test even with symptoms.
I've always thought the Government's line about personal responsibility was an easy way for them to blame us when case numbers and deaths rise and given some people's attitudes on here looks like it's working

@MrsTerryPratchett

But then surely stay away from people who don't feel the same way. You have the right to your own risk assessment but you don't get to make mine.

She wasn't given the choice to stay away. He turned up with covid symptoms on her holiday.

I'd say they know but turn a blind eye.

I tested positive with Covid. I told my mother (who I'd seen 2 days before) to get a PCR, but she insisted on LFTs only due to no symptoms and because she believes LFTs are used as an alternative to PCRs, that they are just as effective as PCRs, without all the hassle

I have an aunt who has never shown any caution for Covid or even taken it seriously, despite being in her late 70s and having had cancer twice. She had a heavy cold and cough but laughed when I suggested she test. She said it was a cold and most definitely not Covid and continued with her usual visiting people, shopping at various supermarkets to find one non essential item (this was when limiting shopping etc was advised).

I think there has been so much chopping and changing with regards to when to test people think fuck it see what a lft says and go with that.
I personally think the biggest problem is no financial support if you have covid.
Just imagine you have covid but feel fine. Having 10 days off work getting 0 or much less money, when bills are going up.
I dont blame people for carrying on to be able to eat and keep a roof over their head.
The government needs to step in and make sure noone is worse off by staying at home. Dont blame the poor person just trying to survive.

There is a lot of confusion about tests and this is not helped by the mixed guidance.

My doctors surgery was saying last week that if you get a positive LF test but a negative PCR you should isolate anyway as it is, and I quote, "not clear why a PCR test result should trump that of a Lateral Flow test". I can see why people have thought...I'll just do the LF then.

First the LF isn't reliable, then the PCR isn't reliable...aghh

Im also not surprised that the Government wont hear the calls of the Zoe app people to update the symptom list to that of the common cold symptoms...I work in childcare, we'll all just go home now shall we.

I personally think the biggest problem is no financial support if you have covid.
Just imagine you have covid but feel fine. Having 10 days off work getting 0 or much less money, when bills are going up.
I dont blame people for carrying on to be able to eat and keep a roof over their head.
The government needs to step in and make sure noone is worse off by staying at home. Dont blame the poor person just trying to survive.

This ^^

18 months in and lots of MN (who can presumably wfh, or happily survive without pay for a few weeks) dont see the other side of the coin.

Selfish? Yes to put ones own family (as in providing food, paying bills etc) first. I actually think most people would if they were honest.

Its much easier to be unselfish or do the right thing if your mental health or immediate finances are not going to be adversely affected.

Leaving aside the case of the OP's relative who for whatever reason has chosen not to test, the language used in communicating with people has been criticised throughout.

Over a year ago, where case rates were high in places like Leicester, Burnley, Bolton and Govanhill in Glasgow, the point was made that these areas have high numbers of people who speak very little English, and many more who can speak English but can't read or write in English. Yet all information sent out was in English. this is where the Scottish (ridiculous) FACTS acronym really fell apart, those of us who speak English as a native language couldn't remember what it was all about, never mind someone who struggles with English.

LFT instructions - all in English. NHS website - all in English. Press releases, documents, policies - English.

It was left to people from the community to try to address the issues around lack of understanding about Covid and misconceptions about what a vaccine even was. Governments putting out lots of information saying "get the vaccine" and lots of people out there are thinking "huh? what's a vaccine?".

So I would wager that there are a LOT of people who don't know. And a lot who aren't particularly keen on the idea of getting a PCR every few days either.

I've not done a PCR for myself after a positive LFT but my daughter has had a positive PCR so I'm sure it is COVID and I'm following the 10 days isolation rule. I didn't have any of the 3 symptoms at the time of my LFT though - I have a cough now but not a frequent or bad one. My reasoning was that (a) I already know it's more than likely COVID (b) I don't see how letting Track and Trace call me again is going to achieve anything. I clearly caught it off my daughter and I'd verbally told my only direct contact in the previous 2 days.

@Bigassbeebuzzbuzz

I think there has been so much chopping and changing with regards to when to test people think fuck it see what a lft says and go with that. I personally think the biggest problem is no financial support if you have covid. Just imagine you have covid but feel fine. Having 10 days off work getting 0 or much less money, when bills are going up. I dont blame people for carrying on to be able to eat and keep a roof over their head. The government needs to step in and make sure noone is worse off by staying at home. Dont blame the poor person just trying to survive.

Exactly this

www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/27/covid-lab-returned-four-positive-results-from-2400-sheffield-tests

I keep seeing news articles like this, and I don't think it's surprising that many people are ditching the PCR testing under these circumstances.

@ichundich

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/27/covid-lab-returned-four-positive-results-from-2400-sheffield-tests

I keep seeing news articles like this, and I don't think it's surprising that many people are ditching the PCR testing under these circumstances.

Handing responsibility for testing to private labs who operate for profit, little oversight what could possibly go wrong.

@stillonthattightrope

I honestly feel such anger towards the selfish cunts who have decided Covid is over for them so fuck anyone else.

Do people realise that CEV people who are double vaccinated and about to have a booster are still advised to be very careful? To avoid unvaccinated people, to wear masks and socially distance indoors. It's not over and people are still getting very unwell and dying.
Yet people think it's ok to go out with symptoms which for many is cold/flu symptoms despite the govt checklist.

Yes we have more freedom now which is great, no-one wants to be in lockdown forever but that relies on people taking personal responsibility and thinking of others.
If people really can't be arsed to be slightly considerate then they deserve another lockdown. The rest of us are doing what we can and trying to make the best of a shitty situation.

Let me be clear, I absolutely understand that many people will hugely struggle financially with isolation/sick leave (me included) and I think it's criminal that the government isn't forcing employers to pay full pay for any Covid leave.

But, we all still have a responsibility to try and keep each other safe and most of the people I know with this attitude are able to WFH or are retired. No excuse.

Be realistic — you're taking a risk being out and about with levels as they are. That's regardless of whether people decide to mask up, distance, or whatever —none of those measures get numbers low any time soon.

Best way to low numbers is actually a big peak, because it is followed by much much lower numbers afterwards.

Channel your anger. It's understandable, but also misplaced. Those people you are angry at may not have your interests at heart, but it may yet turn out they are doing the best thing by you.

In the meantime, think instead about practical measures that can make you safer. FFP3-up in crowded spaces. Distance where possible, and keep contact low. Hopefully by Xmas, it'll be down to much lower numbers.

@ichundich

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/27/covid-lab-returned-four-positive-results-from-2400-sheffield-tests

I keep seeing news articles like this, and I don't think it's surprising that many people are ditching the PCR testing under these circumstances.

Or it could be like they are saying, they just can't be arsed to test. I think I know which one is more likely.

@puppeteer I went out today. Wore an FFP2 mask and a fucking giant badge that is from blood cancer U.K. that says please distance, vulnerable on it
A woman looked at my badge, and then leaned across me inches away to get to the shelf I was looking at 🤦🏽‍♀️
I think I need a zorb ball thing at this point. I'm doing everything I can but 1m distance would be nice

I think a lot of people are very fatigued with hearing about Covid all day long constantly . Many have switched off or don’t listen to the news. The rules are constantly changing and are very confusing. It’s just got overwhelming .

Are people not aware there are people who are positive carrying on as normal?

if he was full of cold then thats why he had a heavy cough , most people full of cold do . if i am full of cold at some point this year and get a cough im not going to be ordering a pcr test and bloody isolating either , i cant afford too , of course if i developed the actual symtoms of covid i would isolate but until then no ,this hysterical nonsense wearys me

@MagpieMary

I think a lot of people are very fatigued with hearing about Covid all day long constantly . Many have switched off or don’t listen to the news. The rules are constantly changing and are very confusing. It’s just got overwhelming .

I was thinking about this the other day. It’s terrible just how confusing the government has made it. Things like the stupid tier system, having two types of test, changing the isolation rules etc.

@chaosrabbitland

if he was full of cold then thats why he had a heavy cough , most people full of cold do . if i am full of cold at some point this year and get a cough im not going to be ordering a pcr test and bloody isolating either , i cant afford too , of course if i developed the actual symtoms of covid i would isolate but until then no ,this hysterical nonsense wearys me

What is hysterical about it?