How many rapid antigen tests do you do each week?

[NightLight2]

Am stressed and worried, govt (Australia) has told us we must purchase rapid antigen tests ourselves as they won’t be free. They’re as scarce as hen’s teeth anyway but when they can be found can be about equivalent of £4 to £9 per test. We need them for quick testing otherwise will have to wait for PCR results which are taking 48 to 70+ hours. Just how many do you use each week per household member?

None unless I have good reason to.

@BluebellsGreenbells

They're free in the UK though

They aren’t feee. The government pays for them, as do you as a tax payer.

They are free. How the government divvies up the taxes is irrelevant here. You may think it sounds clever to say 'they are not free...' but they are free at the point of use and therefore in the context of this thread where posters are talking about having to pay for them.

Depends on how much work I have.

Last week I took 5 (3 of them mandated by my employer, the other 2 before NYE/NY gatherings).
Yesterday I took both an antigen test and a PCR test. Antigen because the Covid app had pinged, and I was advised to do one by our equivalent of 119. PCR for work in the evening. Another antigen this morning as advised by the hotline yesterday.

Some weeks I won’t take any. The average is 2 or 3 I’d say.

PS I’m in Germany and they cost between 2.50-9€ each. I only get them for free at work, the rest come out of your own pocket. People test way less at home because of it, and self-administered tests are also into valid for entry to events etc, so there’s not much point.

invalid not into valid

They are free. How the government divvies up the taxes is irrelevant here. You may think it sounds clever to say 'they are not free...' but they are free at the point of use and therefore in the context of this thread where posters are talking about having to pay for them.

No it’s a post about how many you do a week. I’d suggest a lot less if you had to pay for them directly out of your own pocket.

None

Look it depends, allright?

On a good day, I do ten.

On a bad day, say when I need a boost or a 'kick', like when I am down and stuff, I may do twenty. It's what keeps me going.

Oh hold on. Are rapid antigen thingies what I think they are?

none , never done a test ever

It did cross my mind that the UK’s official covid rate might be lower if we had to pay the equivalent of 10 Euro for each LFT as in some other countries.

None

Obviously before meeting vulnerable people or going to a party. WFH so don't need to usually.

At my work we've collectively decided to do one every Sunday before work on the Monday. They aren't free here, they are about €2.50 to buy, but we get some free from work.

In Scotland, when we are told to take a test even before going to the supermarket.

Haven't taken a test since about October.

None. Only did my first test last month when colleague tested positive

None for me. DH tests when he is going to visit his mum in a care home and DD will test twice a week for school.

I only test if I'm going to a gig or getting together indoors with friends or family. Most weeks I only go out for shopping or walking with a friend.

Never done one and don't intend to start

None - live in Scotland.

I do them twice a week when I go to see my old mum because she's terrified and yes I'd do them if she wanted me to even if they were chargeable.

Apart from that we had a few friends over the festive period and we all took lft before meeting up in our homes.

@BluebellsGreenbells

They are free. How the government divvies up the taxes is irrelevant here. You may think it sounds clever to say 'they are not free...' but they are free at the point of use and therefore in the context of this thread where posters are talking about having to pay for them.

No it’s a post about how many you do a week. I’d suggest a lot less if you had to pay for them directly out of your own pocket.

It doesn't matter how many would be taken if people had to pay at point of test, because they thread is asking how many we do, so what we do now under the current system is the only relevant point. Whataboutery has no place in a thread asking a question with a definite answer.

Two (we're asked to do them before work and I'm in the office 2 days a week). Thankfully they're free but I do wear a new FFP3 each day I travel on the tube and they're about £4 each

At the moment, none. We're both at home on leave and not seeing anyone.

Ordinarily, DH will test a couple of times a week if he has a day in the office (more frequently if he's meeting more people F2F for work). I work fully from home, so generally only before meeting up with friends or family.

Every day at the moment due to being a close contact and visiting vulnerable family

When I'm going to meet anyone indoors - so only once this last week, probably one in the next 7days, but the week after will be 3 times.

@Woowoe

Never done one and don't intend to start

I would be able to say this too until last month. Pointless exercise because I didn't test positive once.

Next time I do one will be to go abroad unless they've shelved testing by then - hope so