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Original poster

Are you lft testing as precaution.

134 replies

KCee30 · 27/12/2021 21:22

We've just had covid but genuinely curious what others are doing. Many people are saying they are doing regular lft tests because so many people have covid right now and before seeing vulnerable family members.

We haven't lft tested since our isolation ended which was in the last week.

I've been surprised today that my parents and siblings are not doing regular lft's! I know they aren't compulsory but my grandma and uncle who live together and see my family regularly are vulnerable due to age or health issues - but triple boosted.

My grandma doesn't really grasp how serious covid is. She's pretty healthy but still a risk in 80's! She's pretty chilled about it.

My parents and siblings are all going out and about too which of course they can but 2 of my siblings are totally unvaccinated as don't want it, the other has had 2 jabs but refusing booster. Parents are double jabbed but don't want booster! No mask wearing etc. I know you can still get covid with jabs but transmission is reduced.

We are meant to be seeing them this week. If we hadn't already had covid very recently I'd be really concerned but I'm hoping that because we've just had it, that we will be protected but say we had delta, concerned about omicron.

OP posts:
Pootle40 · 27/12/2021 23:07

@HailAdrian

One day, we won't be able to test anymore at all and that day can't come soon enough.
Absolutely! Roll on that day
daretodenim · 27/12/2021 23:18

I was, but I'm thinking of stopping. I understand (through family friend) how tough the virus can be for some people. But after being locked in a house in extremely far from ideal circumstances which have made me feel suicidal, purely because an entirely asymptomatic child tested positive on lft then PCR, and is still positive but asymptomatic, so we're still inside, I'm considering only testing if there are symptoms present.

There are phone lines to call if you're struggling, but you can't do that when you've no privacy. There are some app functions but seriously, what I needed yesterday when I was deeply struggling the entire day, was to hear a friendly, kind voice, not see words on a screen.

So I'll reinforce the social measures such as distance and hand washing etc, once we're out of quarantine. However, it has cost me so much emotionally to be shut in a house with an emotionally abusive partner that it's too much. We aren't in contact with many people anyway (no relatives nearby either). I understand that's a risk to other people, but being shut inside has brought me to a life threatening place too. If every life is as valuable as the next, why should I be put in a life threatening situation again to avoid some other people maybe getting quite ill? I've taken care the whole pandemic. Haven't been on holiday since it started. Rarely go to crowded places etc.

I think it's time we start looking at the cost to lives of the pandemic outside the number of Corona cases per day. I get that we're trying to avoid overloading the NHS, but for many people there's far more to health than having or not having covid.

InFiveMins · 27/12/2021 23:19

Nope. I've only ever done one LFT. Not felt the need to do any more.

emmacat · 27/12/2021 23:30

@Peppermint81

Yes always do an LFT before seeing family/friends, especially indoors. I do not want to be responsible for giving others covid.

People that don't are just selfish c*nts who clearly don't care for the people they are seeing

This!!

I'm very low risk but I for one don't ever want to feel responsible for spreading it to someone vulnerable be it a family member or not. I cant imagine feeling to blame for someone's serious illness or worse death all for the sake of doing a quick test.

It seems ridiculous to me that people wouldn't test especially when meeting up indoors.

Whoknowsweknows · 27/12/2021 23:30

Nope. The impact on the environment concerns me more than covid does.

Wizzbangfizz · 27/12/2021 23:31

No - horrendous environmentally

HackAttack · 27/12/2021 23:33

Nope, only done it for travel or if sick, can't imagine why I'd do it just because

MisgenderedSwan · 27/12/2021 23:34

I am testing twice a week for work, as is dh. We make sure to stagger the days. Only testing the dc occasionally but they are both under 8. PCRs booked for any symptoms or when close contacts.

IntrovertedOldLady · 28/12/2021 00:16

I’m doing a lft whenever I am going to be inside and in close contact with someone. Which is what is advised - but people have completely missed.

To be honest I think people are using the lfts being in short supply as an excuse. They are available online - you might just have to look more than once before giving up and saying “there’s none available”

frazzledali · 28/12/2021 01:47

@Hotcoffee10

Far too many LFTs and PCRs being done, no evidence they are effective in reducing Covid rates. LFTs should be for screening healthcare staff working in high risk environments only not healthy kids going to school FGS. PCR only for hospital admission high risk people where they might alter treatment in the community. Everyone else please just stay at home if unwell, rest, hot drinks etc just like 2019 and every year before that.
Have you got evidence to back up your claims?
Aimeehedge · 28/12/2021 01:58

I do it twice a week and extra right before medical appointments before meeting others.

I do our sons (9 and 10) one to two times w week… but increased if there are cases in school. They’re happy to do it though and I appreciate not al kids their age are. Caught one of them being asymptomatic and spreading it this way.

etulosba · 28/12/2021 02:02

Yes always do an LFT before seeing family/friends, especially indoors. I do not want to be responsible for giving others covid.

Same here. We have vulnerable people in the family so it would be crass not to.

Aimeehedge · 28/12/2021 02:03

@Hotcoffee10

Far too many LFTs and PCRs being done, no evidence they are effective in reducing Covid rates. LFTs should be for screening healthcare staff working in high risk environments only not healthy kids going to school FGS. PCR only for hospital admission high risk people where they might alter treatment in the community. Everyone else please just stay at home if unwell, rest, hot drinks etc just like 2019 and every year before that.
Alexa please explain chains of transmission via multiple settings and age groups.

Also, number of cases have increased by more than double the number of tests this week and positivity in some areas is 22% (over 5% is too high) so clearly too many tests aren’t being done.

MeanderingGently · 28/12/2021 02:47

Yes, I currently do a LFT every day. I am required to for work. Every early morning, before I leave for my workplace, I have to go online and complete a series of questions which asks whether I have doen a test, do I have any symptoms, am I still negative, have I been near any friends and relatives who are known to have COVID. I have no choice if I want to remain in my current job....

I do agree about the waste but in the current situation, spreading COVID unknowingly amongst guests, work colleagues etc. is worse, and potentially could lead to a loss of life....a far bigger waste. It won't be forever. Those who can't be bothered to test are the ones who are being selfish.

Nellodee · 28/12/2021 05:44

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/19/mass-rapid-tests-in-liverpool-cut-hospital-stays-by-a-third
The evidence is that they do work and make a difference.

halloweenie13 · 28/12/2021 05:57

Me and my family were doing one every week and then over christmas twice a week (we've had multiple family members test positive recently) but now we can't test anymore as there are no LFT's available online, you can only get a code to go to a pharmacy but when you get to the pharmacies they don't have any either.

Essemce · 28/12/2021 06:00

3 times a week for work which is mandatory

CoverYourselfInChocolateGlory · 28/12/2021 06:04

We're finding it hard to get hold of enough tests so we are testing whenever one of us has a symptom or before seeing extended family, but not just because. Only have three left!

Greys007 · 28/12/2021 06:17

Testing before every shift at work (very small team working closely together - we all test before each shift). And I test anytime I’m going to socially (not very often atm!). They only days I don’t test are where I’m in the house for the day or just going out for a walk etc with my baby. I have some clinically vulnerable close family members and work with mainly elderly customers and I don’t want to be responsible for spreading it!

ElftonWednesday · 28/12/2021 06:23

We had a close contact - someone was in our house who had Covid just before Christmas. Also we've been out and about in some busy places and in central London. So we all did PCRs on 22nd then will do lateral flows today.

User754390 · 28/12/2021 06:27

I wonder if the people that moan about wet wipes are the same people that are testing daily

User754390 · 28/12/2021 06:32

Mumsnet, the forum where people wash towels daily and use daily LFTs, no thought for the environment at all.

NextChristmas · 28/12/2021 06:37

We are and have been on the run up to Christmas as seeing two sets of elderly parents. Once school is back we'll return to just doing it as often as their schools ask us to.

Toddlerteaplease · 28/12/2021 06:42

Have to do it twice a week for work. (Nurse)

Oblomov21 · 28/12/2021 06:46

No. Haven't needed to because haven't met anyone.

Every day? Selfish. LFT are in short supply here, people posting asking for any.