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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:
ShallWeTalkAboutBruno · 22/02/2022 15:17

That’s interesting @0pheliaBaIIs, my mum is classed as CEV due to being on immunosuppressants for an autoimmune condition and she’s never been told to take them daily. Does it depend on the condition? She’s actually had covid twice (she works in a hospital), the second time entirely asymptomatically.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 22/02/2022 15:23

I ordered some boxes last week when I heard that they were going to be stopped. They've now changed it so only one box can be ordered in 72 hours.

I ordered some because my Dd13 is immunosuppressed and has not yet received her fourth jab. She has just had her third and we have to wait 90 days for the fourth.

Up until now we have relied on the fact that the schools were asking families to test all kids twice a week and that pupils were isolating if positive. That have her some protection.

The risk to my DD goes up massively from when the rules change and we will have to test her more often to catch it early. We will ask need ti test our DS more regularly too as he will be more likely to be infected now too just by going to school.

We have one prIority PCR test at home which we have to use if we think she has Covid and that will allow her to be treated with antivirals quickly if needed.

I really think the government should have waited until all children had been vaccinated and all vulnerable people had received their 4th jab before completely removing testing and isolation.

Blubells · 22/02/2022 15:24

No they are not, they will be tested if it’s medically required and for free. Since when have we let people carry out tests as standard for free so they can do leisure activities or have peace of mind?

Yes. Of course tests need to be provided by the NHS if it's medically necessary and advised by your consultant.

But no way should the Government (with our taxes) provide free tests simply to provide peace of mind when visiting elderly relatives or going to choir rehearsals!

Butteryflakycrust83 · 22/02/2022 15:26

So peace of mind is something only people with money are allowed? Got it.

And LFTs have been a requirement for many leisure activities for ages e.g theatre or gigs

Blubells · 22/02/2022 15:27

Up until now we have relied on the fact that the schools were asking families to test all kids twice a week and that pupils were isolating if positive.

That seems a very risky approach, to rely on other parents testing their children. About 50% of people have admitted that they don't test and haven't tested regularly even with symptoms.

ShallWeTalkAboutBruno · 22/02/2022 15:30

Anyway, they’re available online now if anyone wants any.

Blubells · 22/02/2022 15:31

So peace of mind is something only people with money are allowed? Got it.

Well, yes.

With a limited money supply, we unfortunately have to restrict free services to the essential ones, like saving peoples lives and providing unemployment benefits etc.

We can't afford to offer 'peace of mind' to everyone unfortunately.

ShallWeTalkAboutBruno · 22/02/2022 15:33

For those interested, there is a Twitter account called ‘U.K. LFT alert’ which lets you know when they’re in stock to order for all U.K. nations.

0pheliaBaIIs · 22/02/2022 15:37

@Juno22

Ophelia I think in your situation tests should be provided. However I don't see how you can say there are hundreds of thousands of people in the UK in your position. My CEV friend who is immunosuppressed has never been told to test every day. You can't speak for everyone.
There are 500,000 CEV people in the UK. Many are immunosuppressed, many will be asked to test regularly, all will be advised to test prior to taking their medication.

I'm not speaking for everyone. But there absolutely are hundreds of thousands of CEV people who will be deeply concerned by having no access to free testing.

0pheliaBaIIs · 22/02/2022 15:40

@ShallWeTalkAboutBruno

That’s interesting *@0pheliaBaIIs*, my mum is classed as CEV due to being on immunosuppressants for an autoimmune condition and she’s never been told to take them daily. Does it depend on the condition? She’s actually had covid twice (she works in a hospital), the second time entirely asymptomatically.
I can't comment on your mum's condition obviously, or any other conditions she may or may not have. Everyone is different, the advice people will be given will be different.
bumbelinabumsquash · 22/02/2022 15:47

Don't panic. Just this minute went online and ordered some. They're replenishing stock pretty quickly.

Juno22 · 22/02/2022 15:49

But OpheliaBalls the government has said that testing will be free for some vulnerable people. So in your case you will still qualify for free tests.
It's the mass testing that will no longer be free.

nocoolnamesleft · 22/02/2022 15:56

Like most HCPs, I have to do a LFT before every clinical shift.

pawpaws2022 · 22/02/2022 15:57

I'm immunocompromised but from my own body rather than meds so don't need to test but I need other people to test before being around me IYSWIM!

ShallWeTalkAboutBruno · 22/02/2022 16:00

@nocoolnamesleft

Like most HCPs, I have to do a LFT before every clinical shift.
If they want you to keep doing them then they will provide them, surely?
AngelsWithSilverWings · 22/02/2022 16:03

@Blubells well I didn't really have much choice about the risk. She has to go to school! She had already shielded for three months after her diagnosis and treatment so I couldn't keep her at home forever.

I guessed that some families weren't complying with the twice weekly testing regime but I hoped they were in the minority. Now no one will be testing so the risk to her is going to be so much higher.

RoseAndRose · 22/02/2022 16:04

@pawpaws2022

I'm immunocompromised but from my own body rather than meds so don't need to test but I need other people to test before being around me IYSWIM!
Exactly - so either they have to pay for tests (and travel only if neg) or use one of yours (whilst sitting in your garden or a nearby park, waiting for results, with a wasted journey if pos)
Blubells · 22/02/2022 16:05

I'm immunocompromised but from my own body rather than meds so don't need to test but I need other people to test before being around me IYSWIM!

How have you handled this in the past with colds of the flu? How have people 'tested' themselves before seeing you?

dizzydizzydizzy · 22/02/2022 16:07

@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've got covid now and would definitely want to know if I have it again. I am fully jabbed up and this is the most unwell I have been for many years. I'd rather not spread it to my friends and colleagues.
amatsip · 22/02/2022 16:10

Available right now

No lateral flows left.. 🙈
Ajl46 · 22/02/2022 16:10

@Katya213

Why do people want them as the need to test stops on Thurs? I'm just curious in case I've missed something
As far as I'm aware my local hospital still requires proof of a negative LFT to enable me to visit a family member etc.
pawpaws2022 · 22/02/2022 16:14

@Blubells

I'm immunocompromised but from my own body rather than meds so don't need to test but I need other people to test before being around me IYSWIM!

How have you handled this in the past with colds of the flu? How have people 'tested' themselves before seeing you?

Explained it on about 10 other threads Had colds, had flu, been fine, have protocols Never had to shield, wear a mask, take tests, he told not to be in contact with anyone with etc etc etc I know how my body reacts to colds, I've had plenty Anyone unwell isn't to come near me, so sore throat/cough/upset stomach etc
viques · 22/02/2022 16:15

@ShallWeTalkAboutBruno

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?
Because as she clearly states many of the choir members are elderly. By testing they are being protected, which would potentially cost the NHS a lot more that a few lateral flow tests.
Changes17 · 22/02/2022 16:15

I don't think 'Boris Johnson says it'll be fine' is a particularly reassuring thought - I'd rather know if I or the kids have Covid so that we can avoid passing it on to others who may be vulnerable.

bigbluebus · 22/02/2022 16:19

I was able to get a box from my local library this morning when I went to change my library books.
My DH tests regularly for work as he is in contact with ECV people. He works for a charity so don't suppose they can afford to fund tests for all the staff nor will the staff be able to afford to buy them so not sure what will happen when the free ones run out.
I will only be testing if coming into contact with someone CV eg friend who had stem cell transplant for cancer treatment after they'd had their 1st two jabs so now they need to have all their jabs again in order to be fully vaccinated, meaning they are not currently protected.

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