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Original poster

To be desperate for government to start charging for LFTs

293 replies

CautiousOptimist11 · 21/01/2022 07:32

I'm not sure I can take it any more. The absolute dependency on these tests, the fact that a positive or negative means that all critical thought and common sense fly out the window. Even as the omicron cases get milder, people are still clinging onto these tests and cite their results as a means of explaining their behaviour. A positive test is a dramatic thing to be waved around like you have the plague. A negative absolves you of keeping away from the vulnerable even if circumstances suggest you'd be better off doing so. It's like a religious cult of people who do not understand science medicine or statistics, but believe they have all the knowledge. Dangerous. Just get on with it now people, please. Get on with your lives.

Not even going to get into the hideous, hideous amount of plastic waste created in all of this ....

So, let's start charging and see whether the LFT dependents still shove a stick up their noses at every opportunity

OP posts:
SmashingBIouse · 21/01/2022 12:48

@southeastdweller

Again, where's your cutoff point? How do you judge who can afford them?

I think that if you pay for medical prescriptions, you should be paying for LFT tests also.

Even if one box was the same price as a prescription, we couldn't afford around £20 a week for the number of tests DH and I use weekly.

How do you propose vulnerable people on low incomes manage this extra cost? Is it another thing to add to the list of essential things people have to choose between? Is 'test or eat' the new 'heat or eat'?

Do also think that if you pay for your prescriptions you should also pay for other potentially life saving medical tests?

Abraxan · 21/01/2022 12:53

00100001

Covid 19 is still classified as pandemic iirr.
Endemic would mean it was only affective a specific country or a specific group of people. This isn't the case right now with covid.

•	AN EPIDEMIC is a disease that affects a large number of people within a community, population, or region.
•	A PANDEMIC is an epidemic that’s spread over multiple countries or continents.
•	ENDEMIC is something that belongs to a particular people or country.
•	AN OUTBREAK is a greater-than-anticipated increase in the number of endemic cases. It can also be a single case in a new area. If it’s not quickly controlled, an outbreak can become an epidemic.
cherryonthecakes · 21/01/2022 13:08

As a taxpayer, I think that occupation and health status is a better way to distribute tests rather than inability to pay.
There seems to be a problem with wfh people without kids testing lots but I don't know if that's an impression I get from people on here or reality. People in jobs like police, education, caring and prison services should have access to tests on demand if they wish as they are in close contact with others.

Teddybar · 21/01/2022 13:10

@Emerald5hamrock

The most environmentally friendly thing we can do is all die and return to the earth. Banning convenient disposable nappies and menstrual products would really help.
Ah yes, out of everything in the world 2 products that affect women the most. Of course.
MichelleScarn · 21/01/2022 13:15

Emerald5hamrock

The most environmentally friendly thing we can do is all die and return to the earth.
Banning convenient disposable nappies and menstrual products would really help.

What banning all menstrual products??

ChrimboGateauxCatto · 21/01/2022 13:23

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

DanbyDale · 21/01/2022 13:27

I visit a different school every working day. I follow their risk assessments to test before each school. Without that I would be transferring COVID between schools.
Not helpful to not test, not helpful to have schools have to buy tests (budgets are a mess) as they are struggling enough with staffing.

Overthebow · 21/01/2022 13:29

I can s see Ford to pay for lfts but I’m not going to. I’d rather spend the money on my family. If we have to start paying for lfts then I’m not taking them anymore. I imagine a lot of people would feel the same so there would be a lot less people testing and a lot more people going about with unknown Covid.

Overthebow · 21/01/2022 13:30

I can afford to pay

WonderfulYou · 21/01/2022 13:32

If we have to start paying for lfts then I’m not taking them anymore. I imagine a lot of people would feel the same so there would be a lot less people testing and a lot more people going about with unknown Covid.

I believe this is what OP and a lot of other people want - that people stop testing so they don’t have to hear about covid anymore.

ilovesooty · 21/01/2022 13:44

@WonderfulYou

If we have to start paying for lfts then I’m not taking them anymore. I imagine a lot of people would feel the same so there would be a lot less people testing and a lot more people going about with unknown Covid.

I believe this is what OP and a lot of other people want - that people stop testing so they don’t have to hear about covid anymore.

Yes, that would support their narrative that "covid is over" and mitigations are no longer necessary.
00100001 · 21/01/2022 16:14

Why do people assume that regular testing will be expected once they're paid for? Confused

changingstages · 21/01/2022 16:49

very interesting how many people are suddenly SO concerned about the environment, isn't it?

SmashingBIouse · 21/01/2022 17:20

@00100001

Why do people assume that regular testing will be expected once they're paid for? Confused
Many people have no choice but to rest regularly and will continue to need to do so if/when tests are no longer free.
Againstmachine · 21/01/2022 17:25

Judging by some of the posts on the coronavirus section, I am not sure they are much use to some of the people using them as we see posts 'can you see a line'.

herecomesthsun · 21/01/2022 17:35

Presumably young teenage schoolchildren wouldn't be asked to pay?

I'd be quite happy paying £2.50 per test, myself, and would get them for teen dc if needed.

Blubells · 21/01/2022 18:05

very interesting how many people are suddenly SO concerned about the environment, isn't it?

I think people have always been concerned about the environmental impact of all the plastic, but those costs were worth paying as people were unvaccinated and scientists were still learning how dangerous the various variants are.

00100001 · 21/01/2022 18:18

"Many people have no choice but to rest regularly and will continue to need to do so if/when tests are no longer free."

But why will they need to? If schools, work, public places etc won't require them?

00100001 · 21/01/2022 18:20

@DanbyDale

I visit a different school every working day. I follow their risk assessments to test before each school. Without that I would be transferring COVID between schools. Not helpful to not test, not helpful to have schools have to buy tests (budgets are a mess) as they are struggling enough with staffing.
It if schools don't require the tests, then you won't need to take them, nor will they need to buy them

We genuinely can't be testing forever...

SmashingBIouse · 21/01/2022 18:54

@00100001

"Many people have no choice but to rest regularly and will continue to need to do so if/when tests are no longer free."

But why will they need to? If schools, work, public places etc won't require them?

Because some people (myself included) are CEV and need to test daily. If I catch covid I have to take antivirals as soon as possible. I also have to be as sure as I can be that I'm not infected before I inject myself with immunosuppressant drugs, which I do weekly.

DH has to test regularly for my sake, also.

Watapalava · 21/01/2022 19:23

Totally agree OP

All asymptomaic testing should be banned

echt · 21/01/2022 19:53

@Watapalava

Totally agree OP

All asymptomaic testing should be banned

And how would that be implemented?
FflosFfantastig · 21/01/2022 21:29

My MIL was testing more than once a day well before the minimum isolation period. I don't understand it. She had Covid, confirmed by PCR yet from about day 3 She was testing like crazy using lots of LFT's yet the minimum isolation period was 7 days at the point when she had it. That is very wasteful in my view.

Wizzbangfizz · 21/01/2022 21:37

All asymptomatic testing should be banned and it won't need to be policed because it will come to a natural end when they aren't readily available and people need to pay for them. People will be sick and stay at home - as before. I've got 3 unused boxes handed out by the school - maybe there should be an amnesty where we can give them to the people who want them so they can have that reassurance a bit longer

fluffi · 21/01/2022 22:12

@Watapalava

Totally agree OP

All asymptomaic testing should be banned

So I should fully isolate for 2 weeks before seeing anyone vulnerable because testing is banned rather than take sensible precautions and test before seeing vulnerable people.

Asymptomatic testing is to protect vulnerable people both from covid itself and the extra isolation they would endure if their working relatives/friends feel have to stay away for 10-14 days because they don't know if they are carrying covid.

At least if I have a cold, noro or anything else I know and stay away. The problem with covid is you can be completely asymptomatic but infectious.

I know LFTs don't pick up every infection but I hope if I wear a medical grade mask, avoid crowded places and test when asymptomatic then I can find some sort of balance between living my life (although it'll probably never be "normal" again) and protecting people with less fear or guilt.