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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:
SeeminglyOblivious · 21/01/2022 09:46

Charging for them makes no sense to me.

They're either needed or not. If they're needed they should be free - or there will be a situation approaching where some can't afford to send their kids to school and similar.

If they're not needed, the answer isn't to charge for them. It's to stop making them.

RealBecca · 21/01/2022 09:48

How many people are likely to trst of they have to pay and a positive means they do t need to self isolate, nor will people be paid to isolate.

How many self-employed people will ay and voluntarily test and then choose to isolate without pay. None. It's a slow womd down. And the flu comparison is somewhat fair in that covid isn't a huge killer to the vast majority - less than air pollution.

The arguement to fight for more NHS funding and staff stands regardless of covid. The waiting lists and lack of dentists was already unacceptable. But we as a public will no doubt now expect to be grateful that non-urgent appointments and treatment is going ahead at all, even if it is on a ridiculous waiting list.

Abraxan · 21/01/2022 09:48

It's endemic now. It will be managed like the flu is.

Is covid 19 now endemic officially?

I do LFTs for work twice a week. Currently numbers are sky high at my school, with well over 20% children positive, rising daily, 3 staff now have covid for the second time, despite being fully vaccinated. Been advised to do daily LFTs for a week. We are still having to send home children daily with very clear symptoms

I came home after work feeling rubbish yesterday. Tested and I'm positive for the second time. I'm CV (eligible for 4th vaccine next month) and hoping this time round covid is less dangerous for me than October 2020.

Original poster
CautiousOptimist11 · 21/01/2022 09:50

Goodness me. I was venting and should have expected this. I have read all the replies and am relieved that a minority understand.

I'm not going to sit and list my credentials or argue my point as it would take too long. And would go completely over the heads judging by some of the more succinct responses. I know I'm not likely to change anybody's mind

I'm just tired and so so fed up of the mindset in this country. And don't say move then. Its childish and unrealistic. I did live in a other (sane) country for the majority of the pandemic and have therefore not been subjected to 2 years of terrorising.

Medical testing indiscriminately and across the board for anything is bad practice. Yes LFT (or bettwr PCRs) have their place but not for everybody, every day.

My point is that testing should be phased out completely rather than pricing out the poor Hmm

and the ONLY way I see that happening is for tests to become less accessible.

OP posts:
JassyRadlett · 21/01/2022 09:50

Ah look, OP posts excoriating large numbers of people, fucks off and doesn’t bother engaging in own thread having lit the match.

How surprising.

JassyRadlett · 21/01/2022 09:50

Argh, that is the worst timed post in history!

Honest and abject apologies for having lumped you in with a certain kind of poster, OP, it was clearly unwarranted.

echt · 21/01/2022 09:54

My point is that testing should be phased out completely rather than pricing out the poor and the ONLY way I see that happening is for tests to become less accessible

And how would that work in your universe? And be a good thing? And not affecting "the poor"?

WeAreTheHeroes · 21/01/2022 09:54

It's not like flu though, not yet: it still kills many more people than flu does. If free LFTs give people the freedom to socialise, etc. then I see no problem with that.

Woodlandarchitect · 21/01/2022 09:54

OP have you ever considered that you might be wrong?

Probably not but it’s good to have a little self awareness Grin

FrankieBoyleSezLoveOneAnother · 21/01/2022 09:54

You don't like being inconvenienced, so fuck public health, eh? Give it a rest.

SmashingBIouse · 21/01/2022 09:55

My point is that testing should be phased out completely rather than pricing out the poor

Your very thread title says you're desperate for the government to start charging for LFTs, @CautiousOptimist11. Of course that's going to price out the poor from testing.

How do you feel about vulnerable people being the collateral for your brilliant plan?

kickupafuss · 21/01/2022 09:56

I'm not going to sit and list my credentials or argue my point as it would take too long. And would go completely over the heads judging by some of the more succinct responses

We clearly don't have your superior intelligence - perhaps it would help us lesser people if you could explain?

frazzledali · 21/01/2022 09:56

@CautiousOptimist11

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

desperate? How sad that covid has taken over your life to this extent. I suggest walking away from social media. I'm sorry that you've got these awful people in your life, waving positive tests around dramatically, that must be very annoying. But if your friends are all in a 'religious cult of people' who behave like this then you really ought to get new friends. All the people I know are behaving sensibly, testing as appropriate, and I've never seen anyone waving a positive test around dramatically. How bizarre these dangerous people must be.
TesOignons · 21/01/2022 09:57

I'm immunosuppressed and like many already have lost income through covid as I can't work with the public, as vaccines don't work for me. Medicine costs, hospital parking, petrol for 4h round trips for treatment. Now lfts. With a child at school they are a good early warning system, and often required for appointments or scans. On top of the increased risk now that mitigations are going I'll be stuck in March 2020 Groundhog Day. Walks and zoom.
If this is a cult, I'm surprised anyone wants to be in it.
My old life was great, job, socialising, cafés, pubs, cinema, travell, exercise classes. Now I'm cutting my own hair and watching this government playing kerplunk with the country.
And no I'm not a fan of lockdowns.

Hbh17 · 21/01/2022 09:57

All testing should be stopped immediately, with the possible exception of hospital & care homes. It is all so unnecessary.

SmashingBIouse · 21/01/2022 09:58

@Hbh17

All testing should be stopped immediately, with the possible exception of hospital & care homes. It is all so unnecessary.
Yes, protecting vulnerable people is so unnecessary.
Winederlust · 21/01/2022 09:58

@Cottagepieandpeas

I agree about the plastic issue, but apart from that, YABU. I’m concerned about the move away from restrictions,particularly as there could easily be another variant around the corner and we can’t be certain it won’t be a more serious one (and as others have said, Omicron isn’t ‘not serious’ for everyone.
This is seriously edging into 'don't leave your house because you might get run over, or mugged, or any other of the many everyday risks we live with' territory. We can't live our lives on ifs and buts. A cold is not 'not serious' for everyone. There are many generally mild illnesses that are more serious for the vulnerable. It's not a reason to not try and get back to some form of normality.
echt · 21/01/2022 09:59

@Hbh17

All testing should be stopped immediately, with the possible exception of hospital & care homes. It is all so unnecessary.
Do give evidence for this assertion. I'd love to read it.

Though for reasons that will occur to you, I am not holding my breath. :oi

Andouillette · 21/01/2022 10:01

Some limits would be wise at this point I think but absolutely no free tests would seriously disadvantage the less well off. Maybe a single designated pharmacy per household and a single dedicated .gov login ditto? That way people could get the tests they actually need without being able to gather armfuls of the things which they don't really need? Make them available for schools too. Anything over and above that would need to be charged for.
There is no doubt there are people out there who are over testing and that does need to be curtailed if possible. I am reminded of John Swinney and his demand that everybody tests every time they leave the house!

knittingaddict · 21/01/2022 10:01

We realised one grandchild probably had covid half way through a pub meal on Sunday. Confirmed with a lft when they got home and a pcr the next day.

As a result he and his brother have been tested every day. We have been testing every other day as we spent a lot of time with him in enclosed spaces like the car. What else were we supposed to do? There are lots of people in the same boat. Of course we shouldn't pay.

echt · 21/01/2022 10:01

This is seriously edging into 'don't leave your house because you might get run over, or mugged, or any other of the many everyday risks we live with' territory. We can't live our lives on ifs and buts. A cold is not 'not serious' for everyone. There are many generally mild illnesses that are more serious for the vulnerable. It's not a reason to not try and get back to some form of normality

And the normality is very likely to include testing, masking and social distancing.

LampLighter414 · 21/01/2022 10:02

Also they are so hard to get because families are autonomously deciding (and some schools are encouraging) every member of the household to test daily.

The initial plan was they were supposed to be used a couple times a week when asymptomatic to check if anyone had it without showing symptoms, get a follow up pcr, and isolate accordingly.

So some households are going from using a box per week to a like 4+ a week. Madness. When you're supposed to only be able to order 2 boxes at a time.

I couldn't get hold of any online or from local pharmacy for 3 weeks!

Woodlandarchitect · 21/01/2022 10:03

I pity the OP, she has all of this intellectual superiority and she’s wasting it on starting Mumsnet threads.

Imagine Boris scrolling Mumsnet for good ideas 🤣

Topseyt · 21/01/2022 10:05

@Movelikewater

Will never take another lft nor will my kids, it’s all a total racket. If we’re unwell we’ll stay home and if not we’ll go out. That’s it.
Same here.
MNHQ
KimMumsnet · 21/01/2022 10:07

Hi, OP. We're moving your thread to the Covid topic now.