Parents want me to do and kids to do covid test before visiting

[Needarest22]

AIBU for being a bit put out by this?
My brother is also visiting and he's really cautious about covid so it could be driven by him. There is no talk of them doing one.
AIBU to be a bit miffed?

How awful. Better to never see them again than suffer that. Who knows which of their bugs might kill you.

fwiw I would do the test OP, but I don’t know why they’re ok with you coming when the children could have any other bug going.

The kits a £1 each now? So they ABU.

Just do the darned test.

They are treating you like you might be germ-carriers because you are poterntial germ carriers! You have young children, the chances are far higher your family will bring germs than older family members who are isolating.

This afternoon we discovered one of our extended family members tested positive. With immune-suppressed relatives, we're grateful they are being responsible; we're rearranging all the plans.

All of us are testing before we meet. It's not worth risking the health of the vulnerable.

Covid is everywhere atm, we have just cancelled our family Christmas because i am so sick with it.

I’d say, yes sure. You lot go first, then if it’s all clear, we’ll do ours.

@mindutopia I wouldn’t be getting off the sofa!

Because covid is one that can be tested for with some decent degree of reliability. And its more likely than other viruses to be harmful to certain people.

I personally wouldn’t take a test for anybody, it’s proven the tests are barely reliable. It’s also now a fact that there is far more flu around at the moment than covid but it’s not possible to test for flu.

Sorry wasn’t referring to your Dad (meant for other poster). I dont know anyone (other than in healthcare/care work) that tests anymore and thats only for if you actually have symptoms (no routine testing). No chance I would ever test a young child. I’d rather not see my parents for Xmas than put kids through that.

Bloody hell, this thread really summarises the level of selfishness across the nation. Sad times indeed.

I would be miffed, too. The thing I still feel burning anger about the whole pandemic was all the many times I had to do fucking Covid tests on my DS - he was a toddler so had no comprehension of why his mum was sticking something into his face and torturing him, he screamed in pain however gentle I tried to be - I’ll never make peace with that. Hopefully your kids are older, but it’s a horrible invasive thing to do and I don’t get why they are asking for it now.

My MIL is in the highly vulnerable category and was incredibly cautious throughout Covid so we always respected that, had a couple of separate christmases etc - but we’ve just had a big family holiday with them and there was no hint of requests for testing, distancing anything like that. She is in the medical profession too - your parents are being way over the top with this request unfortunately. Could you offer to do a separate Christmas, if they are that worried? A negative test doesn’t remove all risk of infection.

Risk and probability are a spectrum, not a binary thing.

The probability of an adult who is careful and probably wears a mask going out 2 time a week catching it is much different from the probabilty of a small child who is at school/nursery/the park with tens of kids every day, touching everything with zero precaution catching it.

If you don't understand how these things are not comparable from a risk perspective you must have zero understanding of how math works.

I'm sorry about your dad.
My adult children and grandchildren all test before seeing me because I'm cev. I buy the testing kits for them.

There are tests for flu. Last time I went to Spain I bought kits which test for Covid, flu A and flu B. Same price as “normal” Covid tests.
Quite useful, children tested positive for flu a few weeks back.

We're going to stay at my ILs over Christmas and have done tests today, they're nervous people and it will just help to reassure them. Mind you, my DD has had a horrible cold, which has been worse than when she had covid.

We are testing as we have two vulnerable family members, one nearly died from Covid last time. We have a huge stash of tests and just do one every time before we meet them, takes no effort whatsoever. My 3 year old likes doing her own now, she has done that many. She’s the germ pit so makes sense to include her.

My family are testing before my Nan comes round for Christmas. She has recently been given the all-clear for cancer but it weakened her immune system and she also has heart problems. Covid has the potential to be fatal for her. She doesn't go out really as she doesn't want to be in crowds of coughing people, but my family are always out and about at various Christmas events this time of year.

It isn't an irrational phobia, my Nan has been told by her consultant that Covid would have a much harsher impact on her body than someone who is fit and healthy. People who have the privilege to say people just need to "get over" a virus which can be fatal for the vulnerable have no understanding other than what is in their own periphery, not everyone has the ability to go about as normal and "forget".

None of my family have even considered not taking a test, it goes without saying that if we are able to test for a virus which we want to avoid giving to Nan, we will.

People saying "but there are lots of viruses!!!!!" You're correct, there are, and if there was a test I could take to see if I was carrying any/all of them before I risked giving them to my Nan, I'd take it in a heartbeat. But there isn't - however as there is a test for Covid, I'm not going to see her without taking the test. I'd never forgive myself if I gave her Covid which made her incredibly poorly, simply because I couldn't be bothered with the minor inconvenience of a 2 minute test that has absolutely no negative impact on me whatsoever.

I am glad there are so many people who have no reason to be concerned about Covid now, it's lovely you've all been able to get on with your lives without a second thought of this virus, however please just remember when telling the vulnerable to "get over it" and that they're "paranoid" that there are still some in society who have no choice but to remain cautious over a virus which could wreak havoc on their bodies. This virus can still kill the vulnerable, or make them severely unwell. I have no issue whatsoever in making my Nan feel safer on Christmas, and if it means doing a Covid test, it's the least I can do.

Statistically if they catch it, being older, they are more likely to be at risk of serious illness and death than you, your kids and your brother. So they are being quite logical asking you to test.

I read today that half of Shanghai could have Covid by next week. I also know a LOT of people who are I’ll with a mystery virus. Could be Covid, might not be. Either way, it’s no surprise that elderly people might be concerned about getting sick.

Just take the test, don't do the kids if they're too young but I don't see what the big deal is.
Speak to them and let them know how it makes you feel if you must but there's no harm in a two minute test.@

Who is still shoving sticks down their throats? It's been nose only for ages, and that makes it a lot easier for everyone.

homehealth-uk.com/all-products/covid-19-antigen-saliva-test-kit-ce-marked-for-self-testing/

I couldn't get worked up about it. I'm not anxious about covid, but if someone I loved was and they felt reassured by me doing a test then I wouldn't begrudge them something that takes me less than two minutes.

I agree.

I do them already for work.