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Original poster

Stop overusing lateral flow tests!

493 replies

musicalfrog · 29/12/2021 00:35

How many posts on this forum say "ooh I tested twice yesterday", or "ooh I'm waiting for a pcr result but still taking a lateral flow every day"...

Have some fucking thought for the expense to the taxpayer of all these tests, and the poor folk who are struggling to get a supply of tests to keep their loved ones safe while you fritter them away without a second thought.

You DON'T need to take more than one test a day, you DON'T need to keep testing while waiting a pcr result (you should be isolating) and you DON'T need to be testing every day unless you're a close contact.

Over consumption is killing this planet, these are prime examples.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
AnyFucker · 29/12/2021 00:36

Are you the LFT monitor ? Xmas Smile

Original poster
musicalfrog · 29/12/2021 00:37

I'm someone who is struggling to find tests for my family, I also really hate waste. I'm sure I'm not alone.

OP posts:
Sparklfairy · 29/12/2021 00:38

They'll have to start charging for them at this rate, and then no one will test at all.

Flaxmeadow · 29/12/2021 00:40

I agree but part of the problem is that there are no PCR tests available either, so people are going a bit over the top with their Lat Flow stash. But can't get them either now

Original poster
musicalfrog · 29/12/2021 00:41

@Flaxmeadow

I agree but part of the problem is that there are no PCR tests available either, so people are going a bit over the top with their Lat Flow stash. But can't get them either now
Certainly haven't seen that given as a reason on the threads here.
OP posts:
Blinkinname · 29/12/2021 00:42

You're not alone op. They will be paid for for decades (generations?) along with other Covid measures.

I know people who have BOXES stockpiled and aren't using them and others who need them who can't get them.

Useful for lots, waste for others. Totally agree on testing more than once a day and testing while awaiting PCR results.

Don't need to be the 'Covid police' to apply some common sense on usage. Xmas Hmm

Aimeehedge · 29/12/2021 00:43

Close contacts have been told to take them every day. I agree with you to some degree but you’re kind of judging people without knowing their full situation. They might be taking them every day under guidelines. They might be genuinely worried and concerned because of a positive case and a cev individual in the house. Can we stop being so divisive and turning a legitimate point into hating on people who don’t deserve it.

frenchiemummy92 · 29/12/2021 00:43

People also aren't able to get PCR tests either or are having to travel miles for them.

Also I think if the media stopped writing articles such as one I saw the other day telling people they should do LFTs every time they leave the house even if they'd done one in the morning, came home and then before going back out in the afternoon/night people wouldn't be using as much.

BluebellsGreenbells · 29/12/2021 00:44

If twice a week is good enough for hundreds of school kids attended mostly unvaccinated schools premises, then it’s good enough for the WFH office workers who nip to the shop once a week.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 29/12/2021 00:44

We're all testing daily at the minute as I have an operation on NYE. I'll carry on as I am thanks.

IncessantNameChanger · 29/12/2021 00:44

I have only tested since school broke up as so many cases in school. But I'm stopping my two weekly tests unless I see my mum.

I agree its all too much plastic. Plus we have six boxes as ds14 and dh works in a school. They dont test weekly anymore.

Not sure the schools will handing them out on return at this rate of low stock.

People are just trying to protect family with Christmas mixing. Plus rule changes. Boris writing cheques he cant cash again

Cocoabutterformula · 29/12/2021 00:45

Totally agree OP

ItWillBeDone · 29/12/2021 00:46

The current guidance states that you should test before visiting vulnerable people. Many people will still be meeting family and friends who fit into this category. The advice also suggests you do the same if you're going to a crowded indoor event. So they're only following advice and trying to protect others.

2irishmums2be · 29/12/2021 00:47

But there is people negative in the morning and positive in the evening?

musicalfrog · 29/12/2021 00:47

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster
musicalfrog · 29/12/2021 00:50

@ItWillBeDone

The current guidance states that you should test before visiting vulnerable people. Many people will still be meeting family and friends who fit into this category. The advice also suggests you do the same if you're going to a crowded indoor event. So they're only following advice and trying to protect others.
Again, this is not what I've been reading on the threads in this forum. They are not being used responsibly in many cases.
OP posts:
frenchiemummy92 · 29/12/2021 00:50

@musicalfrog every one is in the same position with LFTs. Nobody I know has been able to get any recently, even with the online home delivery

Original poster
musicalfrog · 29/12/2021 00:52

@AllThingsServeTheBeam

We're all testing daily at the minute as I have an operation on NYE. I'll carry on as I am thanks.
Aren't you isolating? Surely you'll be given a pcr test by the hospital anyway as part of your pre op assessment? I can't see the need for testing every day.
OP posts:
Boofay · 29/12/2021 00:52

Thanks to my bil who neglected to tell my DH he was a close contact, all six of my family (DH, four kids and I) are now incredibly close contacts. Spent all day with bil on Boxing Day and he tested positive the next day. According to gov guidelines we all need a LFD a day for seven days. That's six boxes of LFD tests. I have three and a half boxes here and another box on the way. I'm not apologising to anyone for that.
I makes me sick all this plastic waste, but I'm trying to follow the advice set out by the government.
No doubt one of us will test positive over the next few days and then we won't need as many lfds but until then, we like so many other families need several boxes of tests.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 29/12/2021 00:54

I am isolating yes, but the kids were at school until the Friday and DP didn't finish work until the 23rd. So I am testing to make sure we are all still negative and I don't need to stop in my bedroom.

tcjotm · 29/12/2021 00:55

As someone living in a country where they are bloody expensive (and apparently, now incredibly hard to obtain anyway), I agree OP. So much wastage! Not to mention everyone hoarding them is sitting on a small fortune 😂

XenoBitch · 29/12/2021 00:56

@tcjotm

As someone living in a country where they are bloody expensive (and apparently, now incredibly hard to obtain anyway), I agree OP. So much wastage! Not to mention everyone hoarding them is sitting on a small fortune 😂
I have a box of 7. Could probably make a pretty penny selling them Grin
Original poster
musicalfrog · 29/12/2021 00:57

@Boofay yes I did cover your scenario in my OP.

OP posts:
Original poster
musicalfrog · 29/12/2021 01:00

My other beef with this (sorry) is that people now seem to be treating lateral flows as if they are life or death reliable. They're not!

OP posts:
tcjotm · 29/12/2021 01:05

@XenoBitch you totally could! A month or so ago I saw boxes of 2 here for AUD$30. So that’s roughly £7 per test? And they are all sold out everywhere apparently (it’s been in the news). With New Years parties coming up and the official testing centres overwhelmed, I reckon you could get triple that or much more, easily 😂😂😂

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