Anyone else no longer testing WITHOUT symptoms?

[Throwawayy]

I know I'll get the typical "so selfish how COULD you" type posts but is anyone else no longer testing when they have no symptoms?

I've had PCRs a few times with colds and things this year and have done LFTs too. I've ran out though now and I don't intend on getting more right now and will go for a PCR if I have symptoms.

If someone I was meeting asked, I'd do one. But other than that I feel like no longer testing when I feel fine.

I test without symptoms when I’m going to be mixing with vulnerable people. Over the summer/Autumn I only did it a few times when specifically asked to, but since Omicron burst on the scene, I’ve been doing it on my own initiative. I’ll do it until numbers where I live drop right back down again.

Even if I feel fine, I could in theory still be infectious (even though triple jabbed after having had Covid). I don’t think that the few minutes it takes to do a test and the minor irritation are a big price to pay to reduce (not eliminate) the risk of passing Covid to people much more likely to be seriously I’ll than me.

I work in schools so I have to test twice weekly but I’m not in holidays apart from before getting together with others, like yesterday.

Interesting how so many people only test when symptomatic yet use LFTs. LFTs are only meant if you have no symptoms as can take 4 days from symptoms to a positive so are in fact a lot less useful with symptoms.

However I test my DD age 9 when no symptoms as she often has had other kids with Covid, so daily LFTs and a PCR is what we are advised! With my job I am meant to test twice a week, I tend to do this or at least once a week.

I've never done a test since it all started. Unless its made mandatory for me to do so to do something but I've never been in that situation.

The pandemic will be gone in the next year, those bloody plastic tests you're all obsessed with will still be sitting there in landfill in our great great great grandchildren's time.

Weird how in 2019 we were all about getting rid of single use plastics and saving our planet, yet now its endless plastic tests and those surgical face masks everywhere.

I'll test if I have symptoms, and have tested this week as I came down with cold like symptoms. But I refuse to use all that plastic for the sake of the perpetually covid terrified.

@Dreamstate

I've never done a test since it all started. Unless its made mandatory for me to do so to do something but I've never been in that situation.

Do you not think asymptomatic testing will slow down the transmission?

Have just showed this thread to DH - a doctor. His comments are not repeatable about the lack of understanding about testing.

I have never tested asymptomatically and as I haven't had any of the 3 symptoms (since I had suspected Covid before testing was available) I haven't tested at all.
Ds1 has had 3 tests and ds2 1 test - all negative

I'm not going to keep doing something that's causing me pain no matter what your husband thinks about testing @Parker231! If it was painless for me I wouldn't mind, but nostrils feel as though they are on fire so I'll be doing as few tests as necessary!

I haven't come down with anything thanks. I dont test for cold or flue or any manner of other viruses

So ill do me thanks. I haven't fallen ill.

Bit like being told to have a flu vaccine ven when in 30yrs+ I've never come down with the flu.

My body and ill do what I see is right for it.

The testing has to stop at some point. I did it when I was meeting my mum in the past but she quite happily officiates 5 church services in lead up to Xmas and turns up at my house with a croaking terrible cough, so I can't really be arsed any more if she doesn't care.

@Katie517

Have never tested without symptoms aside from to travel, don’t intend to start now.

Me neither

@Dreamstate

I've never done a test since it all started. Unless its made mandatory for me to do so to do something but I've never been in that situation.

I hadn't until last week. Not bothering again now unless want to go abroad

Have just showed this thread to DH - a doctor. His comments are not repeatable about the lack of understanding about testing.

A GP and ICU nurse I'm friends with think Covid should now be treated like any other virus. So there are differences of opinion amongst the medical profession

The NHS and other public services are facing huge staff shortages due to so many cases

I'd be interested to know what percent of the staff shortages we are seeing is because people with very mild or no symptoms at all are finding out from taking LFTs, people who without this, would have been fine to come into work.

I'm still wondering where these 5000 deaths a day are? Oops another prediction that didn't come true! Just like their stupid delta death predictions didn't either

Have just showed this thread to DH - a doctor. His comments are not repeatable about the lack of understanding about testing

Couldn't care less about what your "doctor" DH thinks tbh.

I only LFT when I went to see my 98 year old Nan.

@Benjispruce5

I work in schools so I have to test twice weekly but I’m not in holidays apart from before getting together with others, like yesterday.

I test twice weekly (also in a school) but neither of us have to, it isn't compulsory. I do it because I think it's a good idea. No desire to make any of the 200 or so people I see in a day sick.

Interesting how so many people only test when symptomatic yet use LFTs. LFTs are only meant if you have no symptoms as can take 4 days from symptoms to a positive so are in fact a lot less useful with symptoms

To clarify, I have never taken a LFT with symptoms. I have taken PCRs a few time since the beginning due to Covid symptoms and was doing some LFTs symptomless when going to certain places. It's the symptomless testing with LFTs I am now done with. I would do a PCR if I had symptoms.

One of my best friends is a nurse who is supposed to test twice weekly. She doesn't and she tells me most of the nurses she works with don't either. I know a midwife who is exactly the same. It seems there are varying opinions in the medical field. The people I know in that field wouldn't comply with another lockdown either.

@Potatodrivers

Its the testing that is causing the shortages of staff more than actual illness. It is inevitable that we are all going to catch it, and everybody who can and wants to be vaccinated currently is, so is it really worth this testing when it forces people who are well into isolation?

This is how I've started thinking. A bit like the "pingdemic" situation. How many of those staff shortages are made up of well people sat in their house able to work but can't for 7 days?

@Dreamstate

I'm still wondering where these 5000 deaths a day are? Oops another prediction that didn't come true! Just like their stupid delta death predictions didn't either

Have you heard of the Y2K disaster? Lot of doomy 'predictions' about that, which didn't come true. You know why?

Good point!

I've never done a LFT or PCR. Never had any symptoms and not been in a situation or job that demands them.

Seems a lot of people on here think you should whenever you leave the house in case you're asymptomatic.

So does Queen of Covid Nicola Sturgeon. She thinks all Scottish people should be testing every time we see people who are not in our household, and every time we go shopping.

We took PCR tests when DD tested positive. (they were all negative). But routine testing? What a total waste of time.