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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
DockOTheBay · 29/12/2021 04:47

@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
Really? I haven't heard of anyone struggling to get a PCR. A few weeks ago I booked one with only an hours notice and they had over 1000 appointments available that day, just at my local test site.
vodkaredbullgirl · 29/12/2021 04:52

I would gladly give up using lfts but my job means I test 3x a wk.

SonicBroom · 29/12/2021 04:52

So I test most days as advised to and because it’s the responsible thing to do when the variant is highly transmissible and an LFT is the only way you will know you have it before you do develop symptoms/if you are asymptotic

@Fleur405 but is it the responsible thing to do, when your testing everyday means that others cannot get tests at all and could need them for much more significant reasons than, for example, going to the shops? I think that’s what the OP is asking.

Whilst we’d all like the supply to be sufficient for everyone to do what you’re doing, quite honestly it is wasteful, especially as with examples such as going to the shops, which is really where there is very very low transmissible risk and proper mask wearing can also help to mitigate some of the risk. I mean, unless Scotland is producing its own supply of tests just for people in Scotland, which if it were to happen the other way round there’d be uproar, it would seem quite excessive when there’s a shortage countrywide.

I’m a Scot living in England, and many of my friends and family back home are of the view that a lot of what they’re being asked to do is unsubstantiated and more intended to claw some kind of moral superiority over England for political gain than actually make a difference to numbers. The point being I don’t think it is making a difference to overall numbers is it?

It does get to the heart of what the OP is saying, which is that the priority right now is that everyone should be able to get what they need, and that the only way for that to happen whilst there’s a shortage of supply, is for people to moderate their use.

plinkplinkfizzer · 29/12/2021 04:54

I have never in the years i have been here seen anyone complaining about the plastic waste of pregnancy tests , and yet posters use dozens of them . Anyway I would rather see plastic in landfill than bodies in the ground , especially mine .

SonicBroom · 29/12/2021 04:58

@Essemce and @EmmaGrundyForPM I see both sides, if you have to have them for work then they should be considered essential, likewise testing when you’re seeing people indoors etc. I might be wrong but I interpreted the OP as being more around excessive use of testing rather than necessary? We could hardly get any tests before Christmas despite having been identified as close contacts, and there haven’t been any available online for days (local pharmacies all out too). When I asked if anyone had some we could use, several people came back saying they had eg five or six boxes in the cupboard, so somewhere along the line the balance needs to be corrected a bit?

noturavgmum · 29/12/2021 05:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sarahschild · 29/12/2021 05:06

Next crisis.... medical waste!!

Mummyoflittledragon · 29/12/2021 05:14

I totally agree unless there is a very specific reason. Two families I know are testing daily. That’s 9 tests. What a waste.

Flickflak · 29/12/2021 05:14

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

ManchesterTartwithCustard · 29/12/2021 05:48

You will always get people stockpiling OP. LFTs are the new toilet rolls.

DaisyNGO · 29/12/2021 05:52

@AllThingsServeTheBeam

We're all testing daily at the minute as I have an operation on NYE. I'll carry on as I am thanks.
Do they still give a PCR before an operation?
BigSandyBalls2015 · 29/12/2021 05:56

I’ve only ever done two 🤷🏼‍♀️

BunsyGirl · 29/12/2021 05:59

I agree and it highlights why the NHS is abused…because it’s “free”. Except it isn’t and neither are lateral flow tests…

Pixxie7 · 29/12/2021 06:03

I agree however the government is telling everyone to test test test and jab jab jab as they are scared stiff of getting a bad reputation. I think a lot of people are frightened by the rising numbers and fear of getting Covid.

Rhannion · 29/12/2021 06:16

One of our dickhead MSPs said we in Scotland should test every day before we leave our homes... it’s ridiculous

Oblomov21 · 29/12/2021 06:18

Really hacks me off. People are so stupid and mindless. And no they aren't free. We'll be paying for them for years.

Pixxie7 · 29/12/2021 06:24

I have to question the reliability of them anyway, my daughter was having my 92 year old mother over for lunch so she did a test prior to going which was negative. Two days later she was positive and now awaiting her pcr results.

Stuffin · 29/12/2021 06:32

Simple solution to the problem is to start charging for them. Sick of hearing but they are 'free' so why would you not test every time you leave the house unless you are selfish.

That would totally stop the unnecessary testing.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 29/12/2021 06:34

there are no PCR tests available either

Not true. I ordered two online on the 27th which were delivered on the 28th. It's the drive-in appointments which are booked up.

I am self isolating as I have symptoms. My other half doesn't have to as he doesn't but he does have to do LF daily for 7 days. This is government and NHS advice.

So I think you should really rethink your attitude, just because you can't get hold of the rests that YOU WANT that you want everyone else to stop using! No-one does LF tests for fun!

NinaDefoe · 29/12/2021 06:35

As I said in a post on another thread, I think they’re all currently on school corridors waiting for the start of term to begin.

The corridors at my school are constantly filled with boxes of LF tests. Even with whole school testing and staff testing there is always an excess.

We were given 4 boxes each at the start of the Christmas holidays (I work in a school) as they had so many and had just received another delivery.

Someone somewhere is making a hell of a lot of money and the Government is wasting tons of money.

NinaDefoe · 29/12/2021 06:38

Just to add OP. Do you have school aged children?
If so, they should have each brought a box home at the end of term (they are given one at the start of every holiday).

If they’re teenagers especially, ask them what they’ve done with it! I’ve been told they don’t all make it home... 🗑

noturavgmum · 29/12/2021 06:41

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy Nope, no drive in tests available in my area. So not way of accessing any form of tests and no way to prove I have covid to get sick pay.

NinaDefoe · 29/12/2021 06:41

@Pixxie7

I agree however the government is telling everyone to test test test and jab jab jab as they are scared stiff of getting a bad reputation. I think a lot of people are frightened by the rising numbers and fear of getting Covid.
They are scared stiff of having to close schools again that’s what it is.

As for gaining a bad reputation... I think they covered that way back!

NynaeveSedai · 29/12/2021 06:42

@AllThingsServeTheBeam

We're all testing daily at the minute as I have an operation on NYE. I'll carry on as I am thanks.
What's the point though? Assuming you're all isolating, which is what you actually need to do? Taking a test won't stop you getting covid but isolating probably will!
noturavgmum · 29/12/2021 06:42

@Pixxie7 yeah and you can’t get a jab if you have or have had covid within a certain time frame think it’s 28days? But no one can test so how will people know!! I tested positive 2 days ago with one lateral flow, but can’t get any more of those or any PCR either