Thread for people to explain why they test for covid

[Daffntulip]

As some people seem completely flabbergasted as to why anyone would test for covid, thought I'd start a thread to help those posters. If you run short on intelligence or empathy or whatever other reason compels you to ask that question, this is for you.

they'll be useless anyway because they'll have expired

I think this is true for many.

I do bank shifts for a district nursing team. Could easily wipe out half the residents in any one of the residential homes I visit if I went in there with Covid.

This is potentially a problem.
However, my out of date test was positive and DD who felt fine and I hadn’t been in contact with, tested negative from the same box

Regularly being around one extremely vulnerable person undergoing extensive chemo, another vulnerable elderly person, and a premie.

I don't know about moniker, as I gave a couple to a neighbour this week and she came up positive on it straight away!

I work with immunosuppressed cancer patients.

Husband's work still requires testing. I have been extremely ill with Covid with long-lasting effects and want to know if I catch it again. It's not just a cold for everyone. Also, it's fine to be curious! I'd probably test for any illness if tests were available, just to know!

I test and when I test pos I stay home. To protect vulnerable people/not be the one to pass it on to someone who could suffer badly.

It is easy for me to WFH if necessary, my kids are young adults who drive themselves about, and there are other people who can do my elderly mother’s shopping for her. I appreciate that it is not so easy for everyone though and I absolutely don’t decry anyone who acts differently. If you’re a single parents of little ones who need to be taken places, and you can’t WFH, you do not have that luxury. So there’s not much point testing. You just gotta carry on and avoid breathing over people.

Because if it's COVID my 5 days off work are COVID Leave and don't come out of my sick leave. (teacher)

I'm a carer for my disabled son - he's not vulnerable to covid, but it means I'm not working, so can stay at home if I'm ill.

I did the test purely out of curiosity, mainly because it felt worse than a bad cold. If I had had mild cold symptoms I probably wouldn't have tested.

The tests I had were out of date, but came up positive straight away, so I sent my other son to get a new one, which also came up positive.

2 of my sons have it now, so they'll be off college for a few days.

Ooh nice

Who still gets five days off?

Still several groups of people according to several of the posts above!!

Because I’m immunosuppressed due to medication and have multiple sclerosis. I need antivirals if I test positive.

We test as DH is immunosuppressed, we have to be careful if we have anything but he can get meds if he gets Covid.

This.

I work with children and am often passed a lurgy of some sort. I don't have any tests at home ATM but if I felt particularly rough, I'd probably buy a test. I don't get time off for covid though. I'd just say i was sick.

My best friend who I see regularly had leukaemia a few years ago. I would never knowingly put her health at risk.

But can I please ask those of you testing to protect others who are vulnerable, if you test negative wouldn't you still avoid those people because you're ill anyway?

To keep my friends/family and anyone vulnerable safer. My mum would be hospitalised with covid and I don't want to spread it around.

If they sold tests for flu or any other bugs I would use them as well. Basically I do it to not be selfish.

No I don’t visit if I have any cold symptoms, I generally test because I think I may be someone who carries it without any symptoms (I haven’t had it despite my husband having it twice, the second time we had been away in a campervan so very close proximity).

I went to my DDad's birthday party today where there were many people in their late seventies, one of whom is vulnerable to Covid. DH is currently unwell, would have left him at home anyway, DCs and I feeling fine but we tested before going. I don't usually test but this is the sort of occasion where I think it makes sense.

My last bout started with a stuffy headache for a few days. That in itself wouldn’t have stopped me visiting granny, but I tested and it was a strong positive.

I ended up feeling really ill with it for well over a week, could hardly breathe at times, lots of coughing, sinuses stuffed to the max. I’d be terrified that level of illness would bump granny off, and I’d never forgive myself.