Would you test if it cost you money?

[Twizbe]

I was reading the high brow publication BuzzFeed the other day.

There was an article on Omnicron in the US and the queues for testing.

It showed a picture of an empty shelf of LFT and a comment about how everywhere had sold out. These tests cost around $30 a pack. I'm not sure how many were in a pack but the empty boxes suggested it would be like our packs of 7.

Really brought home that we're so lucky to have the NHS providing these tests for free.

But the question, would you do regular LFT if a pack of 7 tests cost £30?

I would have to. I have to test regularly because of underlying conditions/medication - if I catch covid I have to stop taking my meds immediately and contact my rheumatology department. So I need to know.

I have no idea how we'd afford it though. Even if it was just me testing two or three times a week that's £60pm we'd have to find (though the advice is for all of us to test. DD is a teacher so it's pretty essential she does).

If they ever do charge I hope there's a way to keep costs down for people who need to test because they have vulnerabilities.

Nope

No. I wouldn't. There are 5 of us so it would be nearly a pack for each time we wanted to test. We don't have the money to add £30 to every outing or visit. I think they are terrible for the environment anyway and would be quite happy to ditch them.

Would not be doing current daily testing because it's entirely for the benefit of DH's work, but would pay for pre event testing for running and fencing competitions. Would expect an employer to pay for any tests required by them and would expect anyone I was volunteering for to reimburse me...

It’s Omicron not omnicron.

No there are 6 of us it would cost a fortune, it would literally be just to visit elderly or vulnerable relatives

I don't use the tests regularly, only if I'm seeing vulnerable people or going to an event which requires them. I certainly wouldn't if I had to pay c £5 per test.

Really brought home that we're so lucky to have the NHS providing these tests for free
They're not actually free though, we will pay for them in the long run in cuts to other things or higher taxes. PCRs as well, they're expensive and that's why I find it frustrating when people are like "I had a negative PCR but I still have a runny nose so I got another one , can't be too careful"

No - no way I could afford it.

I don't use them regularly now so I certainly wouldn't if I had to pay.

Not a chance, with 5 of us it would cost a fortune

I would only use them for an event so probably would as it would be part of going to an event.

This is partly why the US excess death rate is 50% higher than ours (300-330/100k Vs 200-220/100k)

I think lots of people in the US can actually claim back most of the cost on their insurance so it's not as though everyone is paying $5 a test.

But yes, the value for money from the nhs is immense.

Yes we pay taxes but overall healthcare in the Uk is significantly cheaper than in the US.

We have to pay for them here in Ireland. It’s a pain . They have dropped prices to around €2.99 per test but thats still €12 for us asa family of 4!
They were costing €13 per test up until a couple of weeks ago
On the upside two of us in the family are not long over Covid so only need to pay for two tests at a time 🤣

I did a lat flow test last week as I was going to spend a bit of time with my elderly DM, and was positive. I’m entirely unsymptomatic so it would never have been picked up otherwise - and I probably wouldn’t have bothered if I’d had to go out and buy a pack as both of us are triple vaxxed and she’s pretty gung ho!

I would have bought one box and used it for special events, but no other than that, I wouldn’t spend my own money on it on a regular basis.

I’m in South Africa, like most places you have to pay and it’s a tricky process.
I have medical aid which will pay for a PCR test but only if you get a Dr to refer you if you have symptoms. Problem is you still have to pay for your Drs appointment out of your medical savings, which is about 25 pounds and then try and get a drs appointment.
A rapid test you can get at the chemist again this costs about 25 pounds, for poorer households the cost of transport to the chemist is also prohibitive. So what is the point of getting tested if it’s going to cost that much? It’s not really worth it.
If you are feeling seriously ill then you would go to a government hospital and they would test you for free but you could be waiting hours so would only do that if you were desperate.
It explains why we think the positive test numbers is probably only around 10% off the total,

Only if I was visiting vulnerable relatives
Can't afford any extra costs

The current ones aren't accurate enough to be worth paying for.

No. I think the govt has it right on encouraging voluntary testing.
The Zoe app shows that there are a much bigger range of symptoms than the three we are supposed to get PCRs for. Being able to test when a bit 'under the weather' allowed people to be much more responsible and has picked up cases in friends that were just a cold.

Whether there'll come a point when we don't test at all will be another matter, but for now it's the right thing.

It picked up a case in my friend's household with a CV member. The person with it has had very minimal symptoms and wouldn't have been PCR worthy. In this case it's possible saved him from getting it and at a time where pressure on hospitals is growing.

I feel charging for testing will disproportionately affect people with vulnerable family members. Even if they were given a free supply, they may have to ration them and see less of friends and family who they might have asked to take a test.

No I wouldn't pay. I do wonder if this is why our cases seem so high comparatively as we are encouraged to test regularly and are picking up loads of asymptomatic cases that other countries aren't.

We can buy them over the counter in Germany but also get them free at test booths which are everywhere.

My friends with American relatives buy them and send them home because they are so much cheaper. Like 5% of the price.

People in the UK do seem to test loads according to MN! We only test here if we are ill or now 2g+ has come in, if we want to go to a restaurant or nightclub.