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Original poster

No lateral flows left.. 🙈

184 replies

Zolla · 22/02/2022 11:05

Ahh. As predicted, they announce the end of free testing and people have gone wild on ordering the free ones 😂 Shock.

OP posts:
heldinadream · 22/02/2022 11:10

It'll prob calm down in a few days though when everyone has a couple of boxes. Keep trying. Last rush on them I eventually got some.
But yes very predictable.

One thing puzzles me - lots of people saying well they HAVE to stat charging for them, but they don't charge for any other illness tests. I mean if I have suspected tuberculosis, say, I'll get tested on the NHS. It's public health. Yeah I know all the ins and outs and issues and Tories privatising by stealth etc. But I think there's a really strong argument for it continuing to be free. Personally.

InDubiousBattle · 22/02/2022 11:12

My two nearest pharmacies have run out this morning so I'll have to go a bit farther afield to find some later today.

Sparklingbrook · 22/02/2022 11:13

It's like the new loo roll from 2020. Panic ordering.

ShallWeTalkAboutBruno · 22/02/2022 11:14

@heldinadream

It'll prob calm down in a few days though when everyone has a couple of boxes. Keep trying. Last rush on them I eventually got some. But yes very predictable. One thing puzzles me - lots of people saying well they HAVE to stat charging for them, but they don't charge for any other illness tests. I mean if I have suspected tuberculosis, say, I'll get tested on the NHS. It's public health. Yeah I know all the ins and outs and issues and Tories privatising by stealth etc. But I think there's a really strong argument for it continuing to be free. Personally.
They’re still going to be testing those who need to be tested for free… ie those with symptoms, in a clinical setting. They’re not going to charge people who are tested in hospital! It’s just free community testing which is being abolished. We can’t just go online and order a free TB test, can we? Free testing will happen according to clinical need.
GirlInACountrySong · 22/02/2022 11:15

Testing on a LFT isnothing like a medical setting testing for TB!

Dramatic,much!

Katya213 · 22/02/2022 11:16

Why do people want them as the need to test stops on Thurs? I'm just curious in case I've missed something

ShallWeTalkAboutBruno · 22/02/2022 11:17

There is a big difference between being tested for a disease in a medical setting to being able to order 7 ‘free’ tests every day online.

Sparklingbrook · 22/02/2022 11:18

@Katya213

Why do people want them as the need to test stops on Thurs? I'm just curious in case I've missed something
I don't really get it either. When are you supposed to do a LFT after Thursday, just in day to day life?
0pheliaBaIIs · 22/02/2022 11:19

@Katya213

Why do people want them as the need to test stops on Thurs? I'm just curious in case I've missed something
Some immunosuppressed people need to test regularly, particularly prior to taking their immunosuppressant drugs.
Katya213 · 22/02/2022 11:20

But they are the ones entitled to the free PCR aren't they?

InDubiousBattle · 22/02/2022 11:21

Katya, dh wants to visit his terminally ill mum in her hospice. We're not certain what their procedures will baby the end of the week but so far he's needed a negative lft to enter the building. n

savehannah · 22/02/2022 11:21

I have got a couple of boxes because I still want to test before seeing my mum or anyone else I know who us vulnerable. But basically the idea is we will all be expected to stop testing, especially when asymptomatic. It will just take a while for people to change their outlook having been told to test for so long. There are very few illnesses we test for at all outside of a hospital setting. Generally speaking if you feel ill you stay at home and if you feel well you go out. It will just take a while for us to adjust to this for Covid.

Akire · 22/02/2022 11:22

It’s hard find out much they cost I mean nothing that expensive unless liquid is unicorn tears but google seems suggest anything from 38p to £35 a test. Even if the Gov paid half it still save billions for those who need carry on testing.

Sparklingbrook · 22/02/2022 11:23

I wonder whether some employers will still insist staff test to see if it's Covid when ringing in sick?

WhatHaveIFound · 22/02/2022 11:25

It's hardly surprising since they're going to be charging for them from April. People will just stockpile before then.

Bit annoying as I found out this morning that i'm a close contact for someone who's just tested positive.

ShallWeTalkAboutBruno · 22/02/2022 11:25

Just to point out as well than many many countries have never had free testing like ours. My family in Spain have always had to pay for LFT’s, approx 20 euros a pop. Consequently they’ve never taken one.

BluebellsGreenbells · 22/02/2022 11:26

I think some employers will still require testing especially as we near winter.

It will up to them to provide the tests for all workers.

0pheliaBaIIs · 22/02/2022 11:28

@Katya213

But they are the ones entitled to the free PCR aren't they?
Only symptomatic PCRs.

We currently do LFTs before taking our medication, which we won't be able to do after 1 April.

It's also handy for those we meet to have taken an LFT, too.

Skyeheather · 22/02/2022 11:28

@Katya213

Why do people want them as the need to test stops on Thurs? I'm just curious in case I've missed something
So they can sell them on eBay in April for £10.00 each, half the cost the pharmacies will be selling them for is my guess.......
Sparklingbrook · 22/02/2022 11:28

@BluebellsGreenbells

I think some employers will still require testing especially as we near winter.

It will up to them to provide the tests for all workers.

I wonder what will then be expected. If it's positive and the employer requests the employee not to go in even if employee feels well enough to will they be paying them?
OnceUponAThread · 22/02/2022 11:29

@Katya213

Why do people want them as the need to test stops on Thurs? I'm just curious in case I've missed something
I'm pregnant, and Covid can be a real risk for babies, especially in the third trimester. If I get symptoms I will test.

Also - at the moment, my hospital trust is still asking me and DH to test before scans. That may change but I want a few in case it doesn't.

Even though the government will no longer advise that venues require testing - it will still be down the specific business. I know some conferences I'm attending for work have still said they want us to test to make sure people feel comfortable attending.

My grandfather is clinically vulnerable. I always test before seeing him to help keep him safe.

Just because Boris is stopping testing to try and take the heat off his parties, it doesn't mean Covid has gone. Still plenty of reasons why people might want or need to test.

AmbushedByCake1 · 22/02/2022 11:29

People are greedy twats.

ShallWeTalkAboutBruno · 22/02/2022 11:30

So they can sell them on eBay in April for £10.00 each, half the cost the pharmacies will be selling them for is my guess.......

Bloody hell, I’ve got about 10 boxes in the cupboard (school/work were practically chucking them at us for months). I could make a killing.

CharlotteRose90 · 22/02/2022 11:31

I’ve literally just ordered some now so they are available

DetailMouse · 22/02/2022 11:32

I have to admit I picked up a few week, suspecting that they'd soon become difficult of costly to get.

I won't continue regular testing, but I will still test before seeing anyone vulnerable. That's why I wanted them.