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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:
zxcvzxcvz · 22/02/2022 11:35

I will continue to tested before seeing my elderly mother and am.quite happy to pay to do this.

ifonly4 · 22/02/2022 11:36

@Katya213

Why do people want them as the need to test stops on Thurs? I'm just curious in case I've missed something
Covid hit me and then my DH three weeks ago, we felt awful for a week. DH now feels like he's got a constant hangover and I'm breathless. I don't want to find I'm so ill a couple of times a year. We'd try to be careful as meant to be going away on holiday, so that got cancelled. The reason I'll try and get LFTs either free or buy what I can afford, is because I don't want to do that to someone else.
Rosehugger · 22/02/2022 11:36

I haven't tested for ages.

Notonthestairs · 22/02/2022 11:42

We always test before visiting my Dad and my in laws - they are all being treated for various health conditions.

TulipsGarden · 22/02/2022 11:48

@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 want to see my vulnerable parents, so will test me and my family before seeing them as long as I can access the tests. And yes I will pay when I have to, I am incredibly grateful I can afford to.
TulipsGarden · 22/02/2022 11:51

Also, yes we do test for other illnesses. My son had to be tested for measles a couple of years ago (thankfully it wasn't) and the process was almost exactly the same as a home PCR test for Covid. We also isolated until we knew he was clear...

Tippexy · 22/02/2022 11:53

We got some off the website at 830 this morning.

axolotlfloof · 22/02/2022 12:01

I tried yesterday just after Boris' announcement and none available. DH tried an hour later and managed to order some.

Blubells · 22/02/2022 12:02

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

Firstly, why does it matter whether it's covid, cold or a flu?

Secondly, they can be faked.

Sparklingbrook · 22/02/2022 12:04

@Blubells

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

Firstly, why does it matter whether it's covid, cold or a flu?

Secondly, they can be faked.

Exactly, but employers can be weird.
BobbingWilson · 22/02/2022 12:05

I’m not in the UK, but self tests were never free here. Must cost the government a fortune?

BeenToldComputerSaysNo · 22/02/2022 12:06

We couldn't get any either! Will keep trying.

Keepyourheadscrewedon · 22/02/2022 12:07

I am not testing anymore fullstop, so you can have my spare ones if anyone wants them?

I am not sure what you would need them for unless you are vulnerable. Your employer will shape their own policy, and if you are feeling rough, stay at home as you normally would.

Keepyourheadscrewedon · 22/02/2022 12:09

We wouldn't test for flu, so why do you need to test for covid?

Just stay at home if you are sick, go to work and live life normally if you are well. I sometimes wonder if people are really adjusting at all, or if they are locked in 2020 forever (ECV the exception)

Spellfish · 22/02/2022 12:09

My choir requires proof of triple vaccination and a negative LFT within the last 24 hours in order to attend. A large proportion of members are over 70, there are some in their 90s. I like choir, so I’ll keep doing a weekly LFT.

averythinline · 22/02/2022 12:10

We test before seeing my vulnerable parent who is not able to be vaccinated...can't imagine that changing for considerable time..

Lindy2 · 22/02/2022 12:11

@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 test before I visit my elderly mum. I know it's not foolproof to it is a sensible precaution that I'd like to keep doing.
Blubells · 22/02/2022 12:12

@Spellfish

My choir requires proof of triple vaccination and a negative LFT within the last 24 hours in order to attend. A large proportion of members are over 70, there are some in their 90s. I like choir, so I’ll keep doing a weekly LFT.
But should the Government pay for your tests so that you can sing in a choir?
ShallWeTalkAboutBruno · 22/02/2022 12:13

If the choir demands that you take a test, the choir can pay for them, no? Why should it be for the taxpayer to pay for you to go to choir?

0pheliaBaIIs · 22/02/2022 12:13

@Keepyourheadscrewedon

I am not testing anymore fullstop, so you can have my spare ones if anyone wants them?

I am not sure what you would need them for unless you are vulnerable. Your employer will shape their own policy, and if you are feeling rough, stay at home as you normally would.

I'd be more than happy to take any spares you have off your hands! I'm immunosuppressed and have been advised to test daily and I'm really concerned about how I'm going to be able to do that going forward.
LemonViolet · 22/02/2022 12:14

I test before visiting elderly and clinically vulnerable family members, because if I was asymptomatic and gave them Covid that would be shit and I can guard against it happening. I wouldn’t visit them if I was unwell myself but you can be covid positive and not know it unless you test. Both DP and I work with the public so meet a lot of people every day.

My grandmother’s residential home only allow visitors in with sight of an email confirmation of negative LFT.

Lindy2 · 22/02/2022 12:15

@Keepyourheadscrewedon

We wouldn't test for flu, so why do you need to test for covid?

Just stay at home if you are sick, go to work and live life normally if you are well. I sometimes wonder if people are really adjusting at all, or if they are locked in 2020 forever (ECV the exception)

I don't think you can have flu and be asymptomatic like you can be with Covid.

With flu or a bad cold you generally feel ill and therefore are aware you have a potentially nasty, contagious illness.

With Covid you can be contagious and totally symptom free. That's why I think testing has been and continues to be vital.

ShallWeTalkAboutBruno · 22/02/2022 12:15

I don't think you can have flu and be asymptomatic like you can be with Covid

You can carry the flu virus without symptoms. And many other viruses.

EducatingArti · 22/02/2022 12:17

I want to test before I see my elderly mum and before I attend church where there are many elderly vulnerable people.
Also I am self employed and my work involves attending people's homes on a weekly basis. If I have a cold, I want to be able to reassure them. Otherwise they may choose that I don't attend that week ( fair enough) but I will lose income.
I am on a very low income to start with so don't want to lose any more or have to pay £££ for tests when I can't afford it!

APurpleSquirrel · 22/02/2022 12:17

@BobbingWilson

I’m not in the UK, but self tests were never free here. Must cost the government a fortune?
£15bn last year according to the Guardian, so yes very expensive & can see why they want to stop paying out that much.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/21/boris-johnson-says-free-covid-tests-in-england-will-end-on-1-april?CMP=ShareiOSAppp_Other

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