Paying for LFTs

[Raindancer411]

Hi all

Just wondered, will you bother paying for a LFT after they are not free anymore?

I probably won't unless I need one to visit someone vulnerable, but just if any of us get cold symptoms, just to hide away more. Seeing as I may not know if my cold is just a cold anymore...

Yes I’ll still test if symptoms are showing as I wouldn’t want to pass it on to others. Would also do a test out of courtesy with no symptoms if meeting someone vulnerable.

No but I barely do them. I have a few boxes for visiting dsd (usually 3 of us go every 2 weeks so I grabbed them when the pharmacist tipped me off last week)

I’m not paying for any on a regular basis. If I want to go somewhere that requests one then I will. If I have symptoms and can’t isolate then I probably will, depending on how easy it is to get hold of them wherever I am. If visiting anyone I know is vulnerable then I will. But as an antisocial cow I don’t visit many people!

do you think many places will request them? cuz i cant think any tbh

[quote CIaireFraser]@Twizbe afaik there will be no free LFTs, just symptomatic PCR testing for the ECV. I hope that's not the case obviously![/quote]
I'm sure they said that there are a small number of people who will still receive free tests.

yes, those vulnerable will i think

No. I always do one before going to church because there are plenty of elderly and vulnerable people there and as I have kids at school and a public facing job I'm a high infection risk for them. So I suppose I"ll still go, but wear a mask and try not to chat indoors and stay home if I'm feeling at all unwell.

No I dont think I would pay unless I thought it was essential to take a test.

[quote Waxonwaxoff0]@crossstitchingnana because unfortunately some of us can't afford 10 days off work, so there's no point me testing because I'm going to work either way. So spare me the "protect others" attempt at guilt tripping.[/quote]
But the government give you £500 to stay at home? There's no reason to go to work.

The covid isolation support payments are ending.

@crossstitchingnana that’s stopping. And to be honest 10 days of my salary is more than £500

ClaireFraser I am ECV too and think we might get free ones. My family and close friends have already said they will buy them to test before seeing me. I will buy some to give to them, it's not their fault I have no immune system worth considering.

But if I was healthy I wouldn't buy them except if I was visiting an elderly relative etc.

But the government give you £500 to stay at home? There's no reason to go to work

Also ending.

@crossstitchingnana only if you're on certain benefits. Plus it's stopping. Also it takes weeks to actually receive the money, that doesn't help when bills need paying at the end of the month.

Fuck no. Didn't test when they were free.

I have never done a test., In fact I feel I should get a massive tax refund to reflect my lack of cost to the NHS and zero cost of me re. tests.

@Xenia

I have never done a test., In fact I feel I should get a massive tax refund to reflect my lack of cost to the NHS and zero cost of me re. tests.

Don't be ridiculous. Perhaps you think everyone should get tax refunds for services they haven't personally used. Some things we finance regardless of personal use in order to benefit wider society.

No. No free tests mean the government don’t want us to keep testing and I’m ok with that. Better for the planet too.

The tests are still free at the moment. At the moment every person (not household) can order one pack of 7 tests every 72hrs for free easily online to be delivered to your house. They don’t go out of date fast. All you need is a separate email address for each individual in your household.

Why would anyone need to buy any anytime soon?

If I was unwell and due to visit a vulnerable family member then I’d just cancel as I always have, I’d rather not pass on any bugs to vulnerable people.

Exactly.

We don't need a test to tell us that we're feeling ill.

So no I probably won't be buying tests. But for those that go want the 'peace of mind' at least there's the option to buy a test.

Thanks for the replies, I was just generally interested in others views too.

@CIaireFraser

I'll have to unfortunately. I need to take them twice a week at least, I'm ECV/immunocompromised.

Genuine not goading question but why would/do the ECV/immuno compromised need to test twice a week?

In answer to the OP question, no I will not be paying for LFTS. I have to do them twice weekly for work and will do so for as long as work provide them but after that no way. I dont know anyone who regularly tests where it's not required for their employment

I probably will before visiting my CEV dad if I think I have it, but otherwise no.

I do have a bit of an accidental stockpile though- a chemist I keep visiting offers me a box every time I go- so I don’t expect to pay for anything soon.

I don’t personally mind paying say a tenner a box from time to time. However is bloody awful situation for the cev.
Even if they get them for free what use is that? Bit late if you’ve already caught covid.

@feelsobadfeltsogood

This is an interesting one I work for the NHS we are all wondering if they will provide them for us as nobody is happy about paying for them it's on the agenda at the next union meeting on Friday

I am fairly sure nobody can insist you pay to test.

Either they will be provided or you won’t be testing. Seriously hope it’s the former.