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Original poster

Now mandatory isolation has ended, will you isolate if you know you're positive?

161 replies

CIaireFraser · 24/02/2022 18:49

Yes or no?

For myself, yes (I'm CEV so will qualify for free symptomatic testing). While I have LFTs left I'd also stay home for a few days if asymptomatic and positive, and reschedule any appointments/outings etc.

Absolutely no judgement from me whatever you choose, I'm just curious!

OP posts:
Boosterquery · 25/02/2022 12:45

[quote BuddhaForMary]@Boosterquery if we can't afford to test we won't know if we have it, will we. Can't isolate for every sniffle! If any of us are properly unwell then obviously we'll stay at home. But that's no different to what we did before covid 🤷🏻‍♀️[/quote]
@BuddhaForMary Tests are still free at the moment and there's been plenty of time for those that do want to test if symptomatic to stock up in tests. If you choose not to test when you have symptoms that's your right, but trying to pretend you have no choice makes no sense when you've had plenty of opportunity to order free tests.

Boosterquery · 25/02/2022 12:54

I make no moral judgment on people who are planning to go to work because they can't work from home and will be left unable to pay their bills if they don't turn up at work. However, claims that people will have no way of testing even if they get symptoms ring very hollow when there's been plenty of time to stock up on a few packs of LFTs. Assuming you have some contact with other people outside of home and work, testing when symptomatic is still worthwhile even if you would still go to work if positive.

dollywoodlooksgood · 25/02/2022 13:31

I will not test once I have run out of the free Covid tests, but if I knew I had Covid then of course yes, I would isolate.

User1isnotavailable · 25/02/2022 13:32

@ItsSnowJokes

Yes cos I'm not a selfish wanker.
Ah so you are one of those considerate wankers then Hmm
SexyLittleNosferatu · 25/02/2022 13:47

@Boosterquery

For those in the "Can't afford to self-isolate if I don't have to" camp, it would be interesting if you would post whether you plan to take any steps to avoid passing Covid to others, eg avoiding meeting indoors in non-work situations, wearing a mask if using public transport to get to work etc.
Would you find it interesting to know what other viruses people have passed on in the past and will pass on in the future? Or just interested in this one virus that is mild for the majority and we have effective vaccines for? If the latter, I would suspect you're looking for an opportunity to virtue signal. Why?
BurningTheClocks · 25/02/2022 13:53

Are you not bothered about giving Covid to clients/customers/colleagues?

I’m a primary teacher. I spend my days in poorly-ventilated schools with 30+ unvaccinated children and no social distancing.
You want schools to stay open? I want to keep a roof over my head and the lights on. Compromise is essential.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 25/02/2022 13:57

@EducatingArti it's not a case of "not being bothered" about spreading Covid, it's about literally having no choice. I don't WANT to spread Covid, but I need to pay my bills and that is of higher importance to me as I have a child who relies on me.

BuddhaForMary · 25/02/2022 14:12

@Boosterquery did you not read the post where I said there's been no free LFT boxes in my area for weeks now because of people 'stocking up'??

bobsholi · 25/02/2022 14:41

I wouldn't go into a shop or leisure place, but I will have to go to work even if positive. Now it's no longer a legal requirement to isolate I won't get paid and I can't afford that. I'm not sure how that makes me a selfish fucker Confused . I'm just not as privileged as some on here!

EducatingArti · 25/02/2022 15:16

@BuddhaForMary
You can order a free box of LFTs right now from the government website.

BurningTheClocks · 25/02/2022 15:19

Are you all going to test your children every day and keep them home for 5 days if they test positive?

EducatingArti · 25/02/2022 15:23

@BurningTheClocks

Are you not bothered about giving Covid to clients/customers/colleagues?

I’m a primary teacher. I spend my days in poorly-ventilated schools with 30+ unvaccinated children and no social distancing.
You want schools to stay open? I want to keep a roof over my head and the lights on. Compromise is essential.

I'm not so sure what you are saying here. What compromise do you mean? I have Covid at the moment, most likely caught from a child client! I am self isolating for the coming week despite suffering with no income ( self employed) so that I don't pass it on to other children/teens or their families. I would have thought this would be of benefit to their teachers at least so that they aren't going to catch it and spread it in school! Isn't that a helpful thing to do in general for schools/teachers? I work with youngsters from various different schools so I am conscious that I could be a vector between a school where Covid is currently rife and one that is currently less affected. To those of you worried about income, it seems as if a £75pw ESA allowance is available if you are isolating plus increases to Tax credits if you are on those.
OnceuponaRainbow18 · 25/02/2022 15:51

My school emailed us saying staff with covid stay home; kids with covid and symptoms stay home until 2 negative LFT

So not much changing there for school

LyricalBlowToTheJaw · 25/02/2022 16:16

@Boosterquery

I make no moral judgment on people who are planning to go to work because they can't work from home and will be left unable to pay their bills if they don't turn up at work. However, claims that people will have no way of testing even if they get symptoms ring very hollow when there's been plenty of time to stock up on a few packs of LFTs. Assuming you have some contact with other people outside of home and work, testing when symptomatic is still worthwhile even if you would still go to work if positive.
You're assuming people have taken the opportunity to stash. This is clearly far from a universal practice, and even those who have a couple of packets will run out soon enough if they do as you suggest and test when they have a potential covid symptom. Lots of people not having the opportunity to find out if they have covid at all, outside certain limited medical settings, is coming soon. It just is.
MerryMarigold · 25/02/2022 16:21

We have a family of 5. Boxes of LFTs don't last long! Also you can be negative for several days then positive - in my experience of both my DS having Covid and testing daily for 3/4 days before getting a positive. I imagine even I stock up, I will be out of tests in a couple of months if we test for every cold symptom.

GirlInACountrySong · 25/02/2022 16:28

@Boosterquery

I make no moral judgment on people who are planning to go to work because they can't work from home and will be left unable to pay their bills if they don't turn up at work. However, claims that people will have no way of testing even if they get symptoms ring very hollow when there's been plenty of time to stock up on a few packs of LFTs. Assuming you have some contact with other people outside of home and work, testing when symptomatic is still worthwhile even if you would still go to work if positive.

Sorry? "Stock up on a few packs of lfts"??

How selfish! Nobody needs to be stocking up! Are you doing the same with toilet roll and pasta?

'Stocking up' is a way of taking from others....selfish selfish selfish!!

tigger1001 · 25/02/2022 16:30

@MerryMarigold

We have a family of 5. Boxes of LFTs don't last long! Also you can be negative for several days then positive - in my experience of both my DS having Covid and testing daily for 3/4 days before getting a positive. I imagine even I stock up, I will be out of tests in a couple of months if we test for every cold symptom.
That's what happened to us. Tested negative, passed covid on then 4 days later tested positive.

Testing only makes people feel safer rather than them actually being safer.

BuddhaForMary · 25/02/2022 16:46

[quote EducatingArti]@BuddhaForMary
You can order a free box of LFTs right now from the government website.[/quote]
And how long do you think one box of 7 will last a family of 7 like mine??

Seeriously · 25/02/2022 17:14

Yes currently am!

EducatingArti · 25/02/2022 17:36

@BuddhaForMary
You can order a pack every 3 days so could theoretically test everyone every 3 days if you wanted!

BuddhaForMary · 25/02/2022 18:43

[quote EducatingArti]@BuddhaForMary
You can order a pack every 3 days so could theoretically test everyone every 3 days if you wanted![/quote]
Yes because I don't have anything better to do than keep ordering LFTs. It's not like I'm a working single parent and have other things to think about Confused

BuddhaForMary · 25/02/2022 18:46

And as I said upthread, I can't afford to have time off even if I tested positive, so it's moot point.

Wellbythebloodyhell · 25/02/2022 18:53

when there's been plenty of time to stock up on a few packs of LFTs.

And what happens when your "few" packs of LFTs run out?
At some point this rigorous testing needs to stop, we will never get to covid zero, so whenever it is stopped there will still be covid circulating .

Rupertgrintismyguiltypleasure · 25/02/2022 22:29

Nope because I won’t be testing.

GirlInACountrySong · 25/02/2022 23:18

dont think i'll be testing either

not really given covid much thought over past 2 days to be honest

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