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Original poster

Lateral Flow Testing - still doing it?

94 replies

SoSoTiredToday · 25/11/2021 21:15

We are meant to LFT twice weekly at work and record details on computer programme each time. I can't take it anymore. It's so uncomfortable in the nose, makes me sneeze, eyes water. I have so much going on in my life etc.. I keep forgetting. I don't have time to keep waiting 30 mins for the results and faffing round with all the bits and bobs. I really hate it all.

I know IABU because I work in healthcare and it's important to protect clients and colleagues.

But - I've had covid, and have had all 3 vaccines so I am perhaps a little protected.

Am I really bad to give up and stop testing? (Yes, I think I am)

Are you someone that has honestly been doing your LFT twice weekly without fail? What keeps you going?

Do you think most people are doing these?

OP posts:
Geminijust · 26/11/2021 12:10

My DC attend a huge high school where we were recently told that less than 5% were still doing the twice weekly LFTs. Obviously quite a high number won't be because they recently tested positive (my kids included) but I suspect many won't resume, especially as we get closer to Christmas, as they won't want any more plans wrecked due to a perfectly well child testing positive, plus the last 18 months has done enormous damage to the mental health and education of young people and they've had enough.

HalfpastFlea · 26/11/2021 12:13

I'm required to do them twice weekly for work as is dh. For a few minutes of unpleasantness it's totally worth doing them, I'd hate to be asymptomatic and spread it to others.

mrsdolittle · 26/11/2021 12:17

I do at least two a week - sometimes more. I work in Education and a lot of staff and students are getting covid. I don't have direct contact with students (admin role) but I work closely with colleagues who are ECV. So I do it to protect them as much as anything.

The newer nose only tests are much easier/nicer to use

Geminijust · 26/11/2021 12:20

Sorry should've said that, in your job, I would carry on even though it may not be the most pleasant thing to do!

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 26/11/2021 12:22

I've never done an LFT but it's not required for work. I have got a couple of boxes somewhere that I was given when I had a PCR but they're the old nose and throat ones so I'll probably bin them and order new if I need it.

PixelatedLunchbox · 26/11/2021 12:30

@SoSoTiredToday I know it's a pain in the area, but please keep doing it. I am sick as a dog right now with Covid. My DH was completely asymptotic and the LFT alerted him before a visit to his elderly parents. I contacted it from him, but thanks to the LFT, the spread ended at me!

PixelatedLunchbox · 26/11/2021 12:31

Area Grin

Earwigworries · 26/11/2021 12:38

It’s interesting this post as last week I ran out of tests .. 2 kids - 1 test left , and for the first time I wondered how many kids were still doing it . I ordered another box and we are still testing … but I know the midweek one stresses my kids out a bit and I was wondering whether to scale back .

KeepScrapingBy · 26/11/2021 13:08

Have secondary age children. I was doing them twice weekly but have gone down to once weekly. Getting a bit tired of them now. Will probably stop in the New Year.

Mantlemoose · 26/11/2021 13:27

Yes I do because anything I can do to make sure I am visiting elderly and vulnerable and not having covid when I visit is the right thing to do. Not fussed on vaccinations as they don't stop you getting covid but want to make sure I'm not a carrier. Rather disgusted you're considering stopping if you work in healthcare tbh.

luckylavender · 26/11/2021 13:40

Of course we should still be doing it. We complain enough about the government, we need to do our part.

PurpleDaisies · 26/11/2021 13:42

I’ve recently had covid and was told to stop for 90 days by test and trace. Up until then I was doing it twice a week. So was dh. That’s how we found out we had it.

megletthesecond · 26/11/2021 13:44

Me and 2 dc's at secondary still doing them 2-3 times a week. Also reporting results. Out of all the crap I have in my life doing LFT'S doesn't even slightly bother me.

HelloDulling · 26/11/2021 13:44

Yes. Work in a school, me and both DC do them twice a week. It’s takes less than 2 mins, and I don’t even think about it.

DH is CEV, we are doing what we can. When DD was positive I was glad we shoved her in her room good and early so the rest of us avoided it.

LaTomatina · 26/11/2021 13:44

Our kids have to do it 3 times a week in school, in front of their teachers, otherwise they aren't allowed in and have to do homeschool (not in UK).

BettyfromBristol · 26/11/2021 13:46

I happily do them twice a week, the gagging and sneezing lasts for just seconds. I am in contact with vulnerable people who I would like to protect. I'm sure they would find a ventilator worse than I find a lft.

Remmy123 · 26/11/2021 13:50

I know of two families who have had covid twice who are vaccinated!!!

Elieza · 26/11/2021 14:04

Still doing it to keep others safe.

Not everyone can have the vaccine due to valid health issues, my friend is one.

Plus another friend is double vaxd and has now got covid which has turned into long covid.

So this myth that once double vaxd you’re safe or unable to infect others is rubbish. Ive seen that for myself. We are not safe. Just less likely to actually die if we get covid after being vaxd. But 4 months of long covid on statutory sick pay is brutal.

Hence I keep testing.

SpeedRunParent · 26/11/2021 15:23

Still testing twice weekly. I don't see what the fuss is about, frankly. The old throat ones make me gag but so what? It's hardly traumatic. I still wear my mask in supermarkets and public places, and I sanitise my hands and trolley handles though. It's all such a lie level inconvenience if it saves a life or two ( or reduces my chance of having the virus).

SpeedRunParent · 26/11/2021 15:25

@PinkSparklyPussyCat
Please don't bin them, there's nothing wrong with them.

SpeedRunParent · 26/11/2021 15:27

@Underparmummy
👍 hear hear

EducatingArti · 26/11/2021 15:27

Yes I'm still doing it once or twice a week depending on how much I am seeing others. I work with children and young people and it has been rife amongst them. I'm asking the teenagers to do it too before I see them. Self employed so really don't want to have to stop work for 10 days even if I'm not particularly ill!

toomuchlaundry · 26/11/2021 15:33

The new LFTS which are only up your nose and wait 15 minutes for results are so easy. I'm still doing them regularly as is DS. With news of the new variant, now is not the time to stop doing them

ShonkyWonkyDonkey · 26/11/2021 15:33

Minimum of twice weekly here, it's really no bother at all, wake up, do test, make breakfast and have that, then results are ready. It is a small thing that could protect those around me.

HesterShaw1 · 26/11/2021 15:42

I've only ever done two. Once when I had Covid and this week when I have a stinking cold. I find them extraordinarily unpleasant. The waste bothers me a great deal.

However I work for myself, and don't have kids or elderly contacts.

I guess I would test more often if I came into contact with vulnerable people .