Anti-testers

[WtfHuh1122]

Has anyone come across these? I have a colleague who her and her family refuse to get the vaccine, ok I don't agree but you do you. But they refuse to have any part in the pandemic at all, and have never taken any covid test, never have and never will as she says.

So the problem with this is she came into work the other day saying her husband is not feeling great and spent the whole of the day before in bed. But obviously they don't have a clue whether it's covid or not because no one will test.

It's just so frustrating. Especially around Christmas. I have another colleague who is more vulnerable to covid and she was saying how stressed this particular colleague is making her, but obviously no one can force anyone to get vaccinated or take tests.

Has anyone else come across these anti-testers?

i only test with the 3 gov symptoms. i absolutely don't believe in asymptomatic testing, testing for colds etc.

@Watapalava the lady I know won't test regardless of if she has any of the main symptoms. Reason being she doesn't want to give the government her DNA

I've had all 3 of my vaccines, however I haven't done any tests as I haven't been ill or had symptoms.

@JuergenSchwarzwald

I've never done a test either other than once to see how they work. However I've worn a face covering indoors since March 2020 and never stopped and am triple vaccinated. So bog off with your judgeyness. I bet all those posting on the other thread about the selfishness of getting on a train with covid stopped wearing a mask in the summer just because they could, rather than using common sense.

How is it common sense to wear a mask but not to get tested?

@Watapalava

i only test with the 3 gov symptoms. i absolutely don't believe in asymptomatic testing, testing for colds etc.

I don't do asymptomatic testing myself but Covid variants now are MUCH more cold like than before, the original 3 symptoms don't seem to present so much any more. So if you have cold symptoms it is entirely possible that it's Covid.

To be honest I've always assumed that anyone who loses money by having to isolate is probably not testing. It's all very well if your work has a good policy on it or you can WFH. If you're in that position, don't go round judging those who aren't, who are probably less well off than you to start with.

The one anti tester I know thinks that the chemical they use to sterilise the swap is carcinogenic

Ethylene oxide it’s called and it’s used widely to ‘cold sterilise’ medical equipment that can’t go through heat sterilisation

And yes it’s carcinogenic. But hugely unlikely to be a problem in the covid swabs

I’m very pro vaccine and have had my booster but a bit of a cynic about how evangelical some people are about testing.

With Omicron it’s pretty much impossible to avoid so it all just seems a bit futile to me. I also think the reporting of high numbers of positives, most of who are not very ill is creating some unnecessary panic.

I’m genuinely surprised at those who get irate about other people not testing with cold symptoms but then revealing they also don’t test as a matter of course themselves. Up to 40% of cases are reckoned to be totally asymptomatic from start to finish, and you can be contagious but symptom-free for anything between 2 - 7 days after being infected and before displaying symptoms. If you’re just assuming you’re covid-free because you feel well and have no symptoms then there’s actually every chance you’ve been spreading it around if you haven’t been testing before socialising or attending work.

In my limited personal experience, those who tend to be 'anti-test', are also anti -mask, -distance, -ventilation, -vaccine and basically anti any sort of restrictions.

I’ve only come across it online thankfully. Usually accompanied by a comment encouraging other people not to test to make the case numbers lower. I suppose technically that would go some way to solving the problem of the infection rate…. Doesn’t do much about what the hospitals are experiencing though.

I’m past caring whether or not someone’s feelings are hurt by me thinking they’re an idiot. For almost two years there has been very patient explanations of the situation and repercussions along with acknowledgement and support that there are those whose inequalities have been highlighted more than ever but at this point it’s wilful ignorance and I can’t be arsed with it. Some people can only focus on themselves, good luck to them and those who cross their paths.

My sons partner won't get vaccinated.
I don't really care, but worry for their health.
I'm triple jabbed.
Neither of them test and though I do test, I can understand they think it's pretty pointless as so many people have asymptomatic Covid.
I chat to them and try to not be pushy, but ask q about why they feel like they do and put as scientific and mainly moral argument for vaccines.

Me. Had 2 jabs eventually because I felt pressured and bullied.
Never tested and never will. Had covid recently (could tell easily by the symptoms)
Just stayed inside for 10 days. Won’t ever do a pcr.
Husband feels similar. Kids have done the occasional lateral flow because they have asked but won’t take anyone for a pcr unless the school forces me.

I’ve met a couple. One claimed the swab was going to damage his brain because he felt so incredibly dizzy and foggy after doing the first test (triggered by symptoms) in spring 2020. This family member has since gotten over the brain damage thing, interestingly because he needed tests to go on holiday and see his parents this summer. Remains unvaccinated though, because apparently we will all be paralysed by 2025 due to the trial vaccines. He feels very sorry for himself, seeing as he will have to care for all 8 of us vaccinated family members. He’s not sure how he’ll cope.

The other one doesn’t want to give the government and ‘world powers’ her DNA and genetic sequencing reports the labs give out after analysing the swab.

There’s a difference between not needing to test (asymptomatic throughout the pandemic…) and coming up with bonkers reasons why you wouldn’t when required to.

@Cornettoninja

I’ve only come across it online thankfully. Usually accompanied by a comment encouraging other people not to test to make the case numbers lower. I suppose technically that would go some way to solving the problem of the infection rate…. Doesn’t do much about what the hospitals are experiencing though.

I’m past caring whether or not someone’s feelings are hurt by me thinking they’re an idiot. For almost two years there has been very patient explanations of the situation and repercussions along with acknowledgement and support that there are those whose inequalities have been highlighted more than ever but at this point it’s wilful ignorance and I can’t be arsed with it. Some people can only focus on themselves, good luck to them and those who cross their paths.

It’s because people won’t tell you as they think you will judge which you sound like you will do it’s no surprise. It’s most likely that a fair few of your friends / family don’t test but tell you they have / do.

@Silverswirl would you mind saying your reasons for not testing?

I don’t actually support daily asymptomatic testing, and wouldn’t go for a PCR unless I’m sick or I’ve been a close contact. It’s also not a ‘thing’ where I live, we don’t have free LFTs.

But if you had symptoms or were advised to get a PCR, why wouldn’t you want to test?

[quote BHX3000]@Silverswirl would you mind saying your reasons for not testing?

I don’t actually support daily asymptomatic testing, and wouldn’t go for a PCR unless I’m sick or I’ve been a close contact. It’s also not a ‘thing’ where I live, we don’t have free LFTs.

But if you had symptoms or were advised to get a PCR, why wouldn’t you want to test?[/quote]
Because I didn’t want to be forced to isolate. Because I didn’t want someone from track and trace calling me up multiple times and feeling forced to speak to them.
Because I didn’t want to be in the system at all.
In the end DH did a lat flow when he had symptoms after me and it was positive. He didn’t want to go for a pcr either but did isolate for the full 10 days.
Same reasons as me- didn’t want someone calling up and checking on him.
He did inform his work contacts himself.

I don't test routinely. I would only test if I had symptoms or if it made others more comfortable (eg met a few friends, last week and we all tested before). But I don't do it as a matter of course and wouldn't test my small kids unless they had symptoms.

Have had both jabs and booster.

@Silverswirl that’s very presumptuous of you. I don’t think I’ve ever been confident enough to presume I know the minds of people I’ve never met or interacted with.

Would you mind offering a theory as to why the demand for LFT’s and PCR’s has been so high the past couple of weeks if people aren’t testing?

How do they get away with that at work? Won't they be disciplined if they don't test?

@ichundich

How do they get away with that at work? Won't they be disciplined if they don't test?

Not in my work place. Testing is not mandatory.

I refuse to test my 1 year old as I dont feel comfortable shoving something up his nose and don't think he should have to go through that every time he has a sniffle. Would feel the same about kids with SEN or something, but I would test myself everyday if needed.

DD's dad is anti vax, anti mask, anti test, anti everything. Threatened me with legal action for testing DD. It's incredibly frustrating trying to co-parent. I myself am anti-moron so fair to say we don't get on

Many of my social circle only test due to work, healthcare, management and have to go to offices, teaching etc and have openly said they would not test otherwise when talked about over the last 18 months. Spoken to various parents who don’t or rarely test either all saying differing reasons, the recurring one is can’t afford the time off if it leads to a positive PCR. Only tested DC with the specific symptoms for Covid with PCR same for DH. I have taken a few LFT’s for volunteering at school as requested and a PCR recently as displayed symptoms. I don’t enquire as to what peoples vaccination status is and I don’t really care tbh. I care more that some seem happy to overlook that our NHS has been broken for a long time, underfunded, mismanaged, isn’t designed for its original purpose with how society and health has changed, lack of individual responsibility for health, etc.

Would you mind offering a theory as to why the demand for LFT’s and PCR’s has been so high the past couple of weeks if people aren’t testing?

Because they have scared people into it.

Judging on Mumsnet I'm pretty sure it's the same people testing each day in the daily figures, oh wasn't happy with that PCR let's do another. That is what I have seen on here.