Stop overusing lateral flow tests!

[musicalfrog]

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.

Completely agree with you OP, and well done for standing your ground.

We are a family of 4 and have tested 4 times over the Xmas period - only before seeing other family or close friends. And I did a test before going to a 2-hour hairdresser appointment.

100% agree with you op . A friend tested positive on a LFT and did 5 more to make sure !!!!

I saw someone from a charity giving them out in Tesco's car park the other day

I had never done a lateral flow test but a relative who was coming to my house for Xmas asked if we could do one for reassurance. We did but the first thing I commented on was the amount of plastic and bits and pieces that went in the bin. There will be milllions of these being chucked away everyday!! I will not do anymore unless I have symptoms.

I kind of agree with you OP.

Precautionary taking of LFTs is important and is clearly picking up LOTS of asymptomatic cases at the moment.

But I know too many people who are treating them as a novelty - eg testing every day whilst they’re in isolation just out of curiosity.

I’ve pointed out to friends that each test costs a few £, it doesn’t seem to have made any difference

If you see the public in for work and have teenagers who go to college maskless you should do a lot of tests, you are at risk everyday, you should be doing a test a few times a week at least.

A test a day is crazy unless you work with very vulnrable people.

Agreed, the plastic waste is terrible but what can we do?

So many bits of plastic involved with them. Bloody hate the things.

"
My observation is that it is those with the very least who are also the most careful and selfless when it comes to spreading Covid. Those with more seem to have an inherent attitude that they are more important than everyone else."
And the higher up the chain you go the worse it gets. The PM and ministers can do what the hell they like, including breaking the law, and order us plebs to move on and forget it when we dare to complain.

While I agree with your sentiment OP as I hate single use plastic and try to avoid where possible, I think you can't blame people for their overuse of LFTs at this time of year as the media has heightened everything.

Me and my husband normally only test if we're going somewhere crowded. I wfh and he goes to an office but usually works alone within the office so in normal times we have little need to test. However, I'll admit we've tested more regularly over the Christmas period, mainly because we knew we'd be seeing my mum (CEV).

It's sensible to test before spending time indoors with people even if you've tested the day before. My DB didn't test Christmas day (because he wasn't seeing my mum until boxing day) but did see my other DB his family on Christmas day. He tested positive boxing day morning.

That means as a close contact (they stayed over) my other DB and his family (2 adults, 2 teens) now have to take LFTs daily for 7 days. That's circa 28 tests that could have potentially been avoided had my eldest DB tested on Christmas day as well. Of course there's every possibility he may have tested negative at that stage but at least it would have been a potential chance to avoid it. (My eldest nephew has since tested positive so has stopped LFTs now he has a positive PCR)

I empathize that you have been unable to get any tests for your family as I myself feel a bit antsy that we're down to our last 2 tests (which I'm saving for NYE). I agree people are taking them unnecessarily but again I think the media have scared people so much that they feel like they have to test regularly.

@musicalfrog Have you tried ordering online? You can't rely on just getting them at a pharmacy.

I don't know anyone stockpiling.

We have 3 boxes. I was pinged by T&T last week so have to use them. I also know that they are not that reliable, and it's possible to take the swab incorrectly.

I think you are overreacting tbh.

The government is trying to get people to test before they go out mixing. A lot aren't bothering.

Your plea will actually do more harm than good.

If you yourself can't get tests, I doubt you have tried ordering off the NHS online. I've ordered twice in the last week and each time they were available.

There is no need to do a test before you go to the supermarket.

Ridiculous.

Do wear a mask though & don't stand too close to people.

The cost of testing is negligible to the cost of putting someone in hospital, especially ICU

Just to clarify - by spending time indoors I mean families in crowded households that might be getting close physically rather than well ventilated spacious areas where the physical contact is limited.

They don't seem to be currently available to order for delivery but worth checking each day as they will restock.

@RedHot22

The cost of testing is negligible to the cost of putting someone in hospital, especially ICU

How many tests are needed though to prevent one ICU admission? Do the numbers stack up? It's not just one LFT vs one ICU admission is it?

A few weeks ago in local town centre there were people handing them out by the box load. Literally wanted us to take 20 boxes said we could put it in our car

We don't have one so we declined

im seeing loads of people easily in retirement age wanting the bloody things

Well of course they do. People "easily in retirement age" are the people most likely to be frequently visiting friends and relatives already in care homes, looking after older and more frail relatives and neighbours, meeting friends and family their own age and older at Christmas. They need to do their best to not infect them, while still trying to lead as normal a life as possible.

LFTs are not life or death reliable but we are still advised to use them because they pick up when we are most likely to be infectious to other people.

If you yourself can't get tests, I doubt you have tried ordering off the NHS online. I've ordered twice in the last week and each time they were available.

Don't be so condescending. I think you just struck it lucky

Im following government advice to ‘be careful’ and take a test before socialising with friends and family or attending indoor events. Therefore testing every other day at the moment.

I had to try 3 times on consecutive days before being able to get a pack from the NHS website.

@user1471543683

I had never done a lateral flow test but a relative who was coming to my house for Xmas asked if we could do one for reassurance. We did but the first thing I commented on was the amount of plastic and bits and pieces that went in the bin. There will be milllions of these being chucked away everyday!! I will not do anymore unless I have symptoms.

Pointless doing lateral flows if you have symptoms. You need a PCR then

Twice per day is definitely overkill - but advice is to test before social stuff and people might be mixing with different groups everyday.

I'm guilty of stockpiling although accidentally. They were handing them out in town gave everyone 4 boxes. My friend asked me to get some for her, her DH then also collected some so didn't heed the ones I had and we've ended up with 8 boxes

OP if people are using them selfishly a post like yours is not going to make them change. It’s usually a minority but at the moment the guidelines are such that usage is through the roof…probably more so because everyone wants to see each other over Christmas and are largely trying to be helpful. I feel for you but you won’t change selfish with a rant.

Agree @musicalfrog

If you yourself can't get tests, I doubt you have tried ordering off the NHS online. I've ordered twice in the last week and each time they were available.

Good for you. I've been trying everyday for 3 days. Today was the first time they were available.