Do you still do lft when someone requests, given implications for work/school?

[Notdoingthis]

If someone asked you, would you do a lft if you had no symptoms, and would you test the kids too?
If we detect Covid, that means at least 5 days off school, and potentially 5 days less pay this month as the kids are young and can't be left alone.
Next month we would not test as even the tests cost money. But this month, people still seem to be testing a lot.
I can understand that people don't want Covid, but I am getting really sick of the anxiety I feel when asked to test. I am sure lots of people will tell me I am selfish to question testing, but I feel like every time we are nearly reach a milestone, nothing gets easier.

I would test if seeing someone vulnerable or going into a place where vulnerable people will be i.e. hospital or care home. Even if it meant paying for the tests.

@CertainUncertain presumably you’re not asking ‘everyone you come across’ to take lateral flow tests surely it’s people you’ll be socialising with or spending time at close quarters with? In which case, it would be pretty bloody irresponsible of you to not bother telling them that someone in your household is immunosuppressed by chemotherapy, and expect them to guess or assume it and behave accordingly. Actually, I think it’s pretty irresponsible to assume that anyone’s negative lateral flow test is worth the plastic it’s inked on in those circumstances. And yes, I did know that with regards to sepsis; in fact I’ve seen sepsis in those circumstances at very close hand (you’re not, in fact, the first or only person to have a loved one with cancer).

Once tests cost money, very few people will do them. I fully understand that the disease is still mutating, but the UK government has decided the pandemic is over. So I can't see many people paying to test if they feel well enough for school or work.

Your attitude is why COVID is rude in schools at the moment. Many teachers are catching COVID from asymptomatic children, and then being I’ll and having to have time off. My own school had so many teachers off last week it was close to having to send students home. So many teachers who have never had COVID before are currently getting it. That includes me off last week. This is going to cause disruption to schools. I understand where you are coming from, but there are implications

Rife not rude!

I'd only test if there's an exceptionally good reason. Clear LFTs are no guarentee of safety from Covid, just an expensive partial filter. When I had it at Christmas, if my diary had filled differently, I could easily have gone out spreading, symptomless unaware that my symptoms were going to come on that afternoon and the LFT didn't show positive the next day. There are also plenty of other illnesses around that are serious to very vulnerable people with no form of screening.

I have rescheduled non-essential arrangements for colds before, whatever the underlying virus was. Going back to that rather than focusing on one specific illness seems to be the most sustainable way of living with Covid.

@oasissummerfruits: your ‘friend’ is incredibly selfish - I hope you and your baby stay well

I would do a test if someone asked me to but for me there are no implications for work or school.

Work policy is if you feel ill or are coughing/sneezing all over the place stay home, if not come to work.

Ds's college is similar, if you are well enough you have to go in regardless of your covid status.

I will only test when going to see my Nan. She is 99 in May. Other than that, definitely not.

twinkletoesimnot Sun 20-Mar-22 13:25:38
Yeah far better for him to potentially infect loads of his classmates and / or teachers.
That wouldn't be at all disruptive to his exams 🙄

twinkletoesimnot - the OP is specifically talking about testing someone asymptomatic. So yes I stand by my post. Asymptomatic testing is no longer taking place routinely, our school specifically emailed saying this.

jytdtysrht
Depends who's asking and why.
For example, it would have to be a serious, legitimate cause for concern for me to test my 16yo and risk him being put out of school for GCSE preparation.

So, why, if you've seen this up close, would you assume someone asking you to test was a 'precious, tedious loser' instead of someone who just might have a reason you might not be privy to?

Occam’s razor.