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Original poster

Are you testing regularly?

127 replies

Marianne1234 · 10/12/2021 16:04

My understanding is that we are meant to be testing twice weekly with lateral flows. We haven’t been doing this. In real life I don’t know anyone who is doing this.

I tested my youngest a few weeks ago when she had a temperature and it was positive. But I only tested her because she had symptoms. We tested in the couple of weeks following that (following negative PCRs) and we never did get it (somehow!) but now we are not testing any more.

I just don’t really want to go looking for it, in all honesty. From where I am it looks like a lot of people are doing the same.

OP posts:
lightisnotwhite · 10/12/2021 21:41

No. I do it sporadically edge every time I’m desperate enough to want to be ill rather than go to work. Every month or so fir a day or two.
Unfortunately not so much as a cold in the last three years.

I test when I hear of someone having it too but nothing.

SivvyPlath · 10/12/2021 21:41

I'd gladly call you those things!

Ooo, get you!

ThatsMySantaHisBeardIsSoFluffy · 10/12/2021 21:43

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

I tested for the first time today as I'm getting a cold and couldn't believe how fiddly it was and what a waste of plastic! Why do they give you a plastic bag to throw the bits away in? Totally unnecessary. And why would anyone waste their time reporting a negative test?
I reported a negative test when doing the test was a requirement for a gig I went to. The ones I've done just to check cold symptoms haven't been logged.
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 10/12/2021 21:45

Thanks @ThatsMySantaHisBeardIsSoFluffy, I hadn't thought of that. I only did it as I felt coldy so there's no point. I'll remember if I ever go to a gig again!

Waxonwaxoff0 · 10/12/2021 21:46

@multivac

Oh give over with the 'worried about my child's nose hairs' bollocks. As if their fingers aren't digging around up there every time they get!

It was said earlier upthread. Some people are 'done caring about randoms they don't know'.

That's it. That's the status. That's where we are.

Well, yeah. I don't get paid if I have to isolate, and as a single parent my income is pretty important. So I do care more about my own family's needs than strangers, and I won't test unless I have symptoms. Happy to admit that.
starrynight19 · 10/12/2021 21:49

Yes we have to lf twice a week but due to high covid cases in my school we are regularly doing pcr tests as well at least twice a week as close contacts

DotBall · 10/12/2021 21:53

I’m a teacher and have never done a LFT. Past trauma associated with very rough naso-gastric tube insertions (3 times) means I’m not prepared to put anything up my nose unless necessary.

I’m CEV (was shielding), caught covid after the first week of term this September and put up with the PCR (which was repeated when admitted briefly to hospital).

As a past poster said, I’ve been jabbed three times and wear masks daily in work and elsewhere. I’m doing as much as I’m prepared to do.

WOTW · 10/12/2021 21:55

I haven't tested once since the pandemic started.

Katerurn · 10/12/2021 21:58

We all do, but have a child in secondary school and I work with children myself. Even if we weren't in that situation I would still test a couple of times a week. It's quick, easy and free. It really doesn't hurt to just test and may, just may stop me passing it on to a vulnerable person if it turns out I'm positive 🤷🏼‍♀️

NovemberNovemberDarkNights · 10/12/2021 22:02

@secretllama

*You don't care about other people you mean. There are vulnerable people in society that either cannot have the vaccinations or for whom they aren't as effective and yet have NO choice about going to work, school, medical appointments..*

@NovemberNovemberDarkNights I'm assuming you tested for flu, rsv, other coronaviruses twice weekly every weekly pre March 2020? And still do now, alongside your twice weekly covid test? People were vulnerable to those things previously. Did you not care then?

@secretllama

What a stupid comparison. There weren't tests readily available, had there been, in the same way, yes I would have.

Pootle40 · 10/12/2021 22:02

I tested to get to and from Majorca. That's it, haven't had a single symptom of illness in 2 years. Don't test my kids either

Rainbowsandstorms · 10/12/2021 22:03

I test twice a week and have done for ages. My husband and primary aged child both do too. If we are close contacts then we test daily. It’s quick and easy and potentially prevents spread.

Volhhg · 10/12/2021 22:14

No it was my nose hairs I was worried about not my kids!! Apparently you lose more of them as you age and they don't grow back

JoanOgden · 10/12/2021 22:20

Yes, I sing in a choir and they ask us to do an LFT before we attend each rehearsal. Have never formally reported my negative result though.

multivac · 10/12/2021 22:21

@Volhhg

No it was my nose hairs I was worried about not my kids!! Apparently you lose more of them as you age and they don't grow back
Forgive me; but you did say 'especially school children'! Nose swabbing for the LFT really isn't that invasive, if you're following the instructions. Shouldn't permanently squish the nose hairs 🙂
Scarby9 · 10/12/2021 22:25

Yes
LFTs twice weekĺy as a minimum. Today's is clear.
All my school colleagues and the ITT trainees are regularly testing too.
There are so many cases in some schools at the moment, it feels more essential than ever.

dontletthemugglesgetyoudownn · 10/12/2021 22:26

I have to test. Have to upload it to the work portal and my manager checks it every shift.

Goldbar · 10/12/2021 22:34

My DH tests every weekday for work.

I test on the days that I'm not wfh (usually once or twice a week).

We've tested our DC at the start of every illness (PCR) and then regular LFTs while the illness is ongoing, but there have been so many bugs, coughs and colds since September that it's hard to tell which is a 'new' one as opposed to the existing one continuing Confused.

shinynewapple21 · 11/12/2021 00:39

@TheNoonBell

I did one last Christmas when I had COVID and nearly puked. None since.
The current LFTs don't require you to swab your throat . And if they hurt your nose you are pushing it too hard up .
shinynewapple21 · 11/12/2021 00:41

@user1497787065

I have never tested. I don't work, meet a few people outside whilst walking the dog and shop once a week. I didn't realise that I should be doing so.

In your position I wouldn't think it's necessary .

shinynewapple21 · 11/12/2021 00:46

I normally test before visiting my elderly mum in care home and additionally if meeting with a friend with health vulnerabilities or if meeting in a larger group . Also test if I feel off colour at all .

Due to the above I've tested 4 times over the last week . Must order some more tests!

worriedatthemoment · 11/12/2021 00:47

My ds wS testing twice a week for college and we picked up covid on lft as he was pretty much symptomatic
The rest of us test when we are seeing my nan or my friend who is having chemotherapy although not foolproof it feels like we are doing out best

CointreauVersial · 11/12/2021 00:51

Yes, I test at least once a week - my company insists on it. I report it to HR via an app, and also on the NHS website - it's now become totally routine, takes moments.

If I'm late doing a test, I get a phone call! To date, we haven't had a single case in the office, so it must be working.

I also do one before seeing either of my parents, as I'm keen to keep them safe. If I meet a group of friends (eg for dinner) we all test beforehand.

Why wouldn't you? Tests are free and simple to do.

worriedatthemoment · 11/12/2021 00:51

Work have just requested we take lft if need to go in office , currently wfh
Would have pcr though of had symptoms and not rely on lft which I have heard of some doing

shinynewapple21 · 11/12/2021 00:56

@WOTW

I haven't tested once since the pandemic started.

@WOTW it's a good idea to test if you are mixing with people who may be vulnerable .

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