Totally agree. I didn't even know "Why did you test?" was a thing until I came on this thread. Seems extraordinary to me - surely the question is "Why didn't you test?" - but it's an aspect of society uncovered by the pandemic that's just depressing, and having covid is bad enough.
I caught what I thought was a mild cold some time in the last week or two. Have since been to London twice - PP3-masked on the train/tube and in shops both times, but not in restaurant or theatre - and have been out and about locally. Felt rough after a day of festive gatherings, but just thought i was getting a bit old for rich food and alcohol.
Then yesterday, Saturday 23rd, suddenly I couldn't taste or smell anything. Ping! Isn't that what people had during covid? More out of curiosity than anything, because covid is so off my radar, I did a test and there it was, for the first time - the dreaded T line. Turns out DH has it too, but is over the worst and is ok for taste/smell.
My cold symptoms have mostly gone, though I don't feel like doing much and can't talk for long without straining my voice. But the taste thing is a real downer. Everyone's been really good and there's been lots of rearranging. Now I just have to face prepping food I won't personally enjoy - must be what it's like to work in a restaurant!
What bugs me is all the media attention on the Covid Enquiry - where did it go wrong, who should we blame for what, as if it's just a bad memory - when all the time JN.1 is spreading merrily through the population.