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Original poster

Are people still testing and isolating?

70 replies

Lovemusic33 · 08/03/2022 10:18

Sorry to sound silly, I’m just confused after seeing several people (on SM) saying they have tested positive, some without symptoms and moaning about isolating. I thought we no longer needed to test, tests are no longer free, DD’s school are no longer testing or giving out free tests. I thought the advice was to stay home if your unwell and go to school/work if you feel well?

Dd had a sore throat over the weekend (started Friday), we don’t have any tests so she just stayed in and had yesterday off school, she was fine this morning so I sent her in. We are all triple vaxxed and have had covid (in September).

Why are people still testing their kids and keeping them home when they have no symptoms? Why are people isolating when they are not ill?

OP posts:
InMySpareTime · 08/03/2022 10:25

I tested as part of the ONS study, and got a positive result from Thursday but was only told on Sunday. I did a lateral flow, which was negative, and another on Monday, still negative. I saw no point in isolating by then, as if I did have it on Thursday (with no symptoms) I was not likely to be contagious by Monday with two negative tests.
Maybe I've had Covid, maybe I haven't, I wouldn't even have known if not for the timing of my ONS study swab.

henlee · 08/03/2022 10:29

You can still get free tests from pharmacies or by ordering online.

It's possible to transmit coronavirus even if you don't have symptoms, which is why people are still isolating.

Personally, I would isolate if I tested positive, but it's not a big deal for me to do so (safe warm flat, can work from home), I appreciate others may find it harder. Children shouldn't be testing positive that often, so I wouldn't have an issue keeping mine home as long they were ok to do so.

We've moved to the "personal responsibility" stage of UK pandemic management, it's a lot easier for those in higher socioeconomic groups to make these kinds of decisions. So my personal opinon - do what you can, don't judge anyone who can't.

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 08/03/2022 10:30

LFTs are still free till April and you can order online or pick up as before.

Original poster
Lovemusic33 · 08/03/2022 10:42

Thank you, I’m sure dd1 could get tests at school but she can’t be bothered to ask 😬, she’s 18 and in 6 form, she just keeps saying there are no tests.

OP posts:
Lubeyboobyalt · 08/03/2022 10:49

Not really it seems - the amount of deaths per day corresponds more with when our levels of infection were about 200k per day than what is currently recorded (44k)

MulberryBush700 · 08/03/2022 11:04

Tests are still free until 1st of April.
I tested positive yesterday and decided to isolate. I'm fortunate that I am able to and can WFH, shopping done online etc. It doesn't feel right going out and spreading Covid just because there are no rules in place anymore.

Jules912 · 08/03/2022 11:33

Tests are still free until April. The last couple of weeks I've done some (not all at the same time) because I was visiting a very vulnerable relative, because I had cold symptoms, because I had to go to the office and they still ask for them. Thankfully all negative.

givemushypeasachance · 08/03/2022 11:34

We're still generally encouraged to do lateral flows before coming into the office - which is a mandatory three days a week. So I did a lateral flow Sunday night, I'll do one tomorrow before travelling to London for a meeting. Someone came into our office the other day and announced that they'd tested positive - they were sent home! Would you be comfortable sitting next to someone who knew they were currently testing positive?

Giveaschitt · 08/03/2022 11:38

@Lubeyboobyalt

Not really it seems - the amount of deaths per day corresponds more with when our levels of infection were about 200k per day than what is currently recorded (44k)
Where on earth are you getting that from? We're recording around 100 deaths a day at the moment with Covid, which is around the same as it was in August, when cases were around 30k a day.
Sallydimebar · 08/03/2022 12:09

We still test , Ds had it last week 24 hour fever, sore throat for 3 days stayed off 5 days returned with negative day 7 as school policy .

Also want to know in case of any issues with long covid , which we’ve never had thankfully but I know exist so like it recorded with GP.

Tests are available to order online and has always been advised to test if you have symptoms and isolate it’s just not law now .

Bickles · 08/03/2022 12:19

I had stopped asymptomatic testing but tested this weekend with cold symptoms- positive.
I am isolating because I can’t go to work anyway with Covid and can’t WFH.
I am not testing DS and he’s still going to school. I will test him if he develops symptoms.
I am not prepared for him to miss school and activities for 10 days if he’s positive but asymptomatic. If he’s poorly then that’s different.

burnoutbabe · 08/03/2022 12:21

i tested today as seeing dentist (so that is up close, in your face, contact)

And before seeing my 75 year old parents a few weeks ago.

I would isloate if i had it, but its no huge hardship to work from home for a few days. I also would not go out and meet people if i had a bad cold or flu (well then i could not go out, i was too ill)

Iamsodonewith2020 · 08/03/2022 12:25

Schools won’t allow children to attend unless they have negative on day 5&6. This is DoE guidance to school

user1497207191 · 08/03/2022 12:32

My son did a LFT test this morning (luckily negative). He didn't have symptoms, but I'm taking him to a football match tonight, an hour's drive away, and he didn't want to risk infecting me in the car on the way there or back. Quite impressed really, we didn't ask him to, but he knows my OH and I are vulnerable so he's still taking precautions ahead of when he's going to see us.

bigbluebus · 08/03/2022 12:34

DH still testing frequently as he's in contact with clinically vulnerable people at work. I tested last Friday as I was going to an event where I would also be in close contact with some of those same vulnerable people .
Tests are still free and available.

Seasidemumma77 · 08/03/2022 12:53

Only testing when I'm meeting up with CV friends and family.

JS87 · 08/03/2022 13:00

Both my work and Ds’s school still require you to test with main covid symptoms and isolate if positive. The government is still advising people to isolate but it’s no longer a legal requirement so they don’t have to pay the £500 support to anyone anymore.

WhoWants2Know · 08/03/2022 13:01

I still have to test for work. Kids don't but my youngest came down looking properly ropey on Sunday, so tested her as well. She was positive and is desperate for two negatives so she can go back to school

Original poster
Lovemusic33 · 08/03/2022 13:41

@Bickles

I had stopped asymptomatic testing but tested this weekend with cold symptoms- positive. I am isolating because I can’t go to work anyway with Covid and can’t WFH. I am not testing DS and he’s still going to school. I will test him if he develops symptoms. I am not prepared for him to miss school and activities for 10 days if he’s positive but asymptomatic. If he’s poorly then that’s different.
And that’s how I feel about dd, she takes A levels in a few weeks, she’s still behind from isolating for ten days in September (and for missing loads of time off during lockdowns), if she’s feeling ok she’s going in. She has a friend who’s parent has tested positive but friend isn’t testing, I really don’t blame them.
OP posts:
MsMartini · 08/03/2022 13:42

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-people-with-covid-19-and-their-contacts/covid-19-people-with-covid-19-and-their-contacts

Current guidance is very clear

"There is no longer a legal requirement for people with coronavirus (COVID-19) infection to self-isolate, however if you have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive test result, the public health advice is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people."

There are more details further down about when to test, and how to reduce the risks to others - eg if you do go out and meet other people, do it outside and at 2m distance.

It seems pretty clear and sensible to me.

MrsScrubbingbrush · 08/03/2022 13:44

I tested today (negative) because I was going to the opticians for an eye test.

I'd be in a small, enclosed space with the optician so it seemed better to be safe than sorry.

CoffeeWithCheese · 09/03/2022 08:11

I'm doing healthcare placement at the moment - we still have the full 10 day isolation if we come down with it and I test on a day I'm going out to see people physically - that's it though, the kids I won't test anymore routinely.

Iggly · 09/03/2022 08:14

I would test if we had symptoms or had been in prolonged close contact with someone who was later confirmed positive.
I worry that we are setting up the country for an unhealthy next few years with the increased risk of heart disease and brain damage due to covid so don’t fancy playing my part in knowingly spreading it.

but luckily my work place is keeping up the previous guidance and we are expected to wfh if we test positive. Not everyone has that luxury.

TabithaTittlemouse · 09/03/2022 08:20

Both mine and Dh work requires us to test regularly.

BlueGreyApple · 09/03/2022 08:23

Not everyone lives in England.

I'm self isolating as still required by law in Scotland.

I wouldn't test for only a sore throat though. I only tested because I felt really off.