Testing times - Covid in 2022

[Skips]

That was quick, well done dizzy!

My step dad has just tested positive. I was with him and some family 10 days ago.

So far my mum has tested negative.

[dizzyd]

Yes, they arrived this morning.

It's handy living by a main post office

Only sent them yesterday lunchtime !

[Starry]

He hasn't. We didn't think of it, tbh. Testing here is so different from the UK. There are no free LFTs (we call them antigen tests) and no DIY PCR tests, you have to make an appointment with a test centre - and they're not available to everyone anymore. That said, R could get one, now he's over 70, :)) but I wouldn't be eligible.

OTH, you can get free antigen tests. I’ve been ordering them through the HSE site, literally ordered them today. You. An also get a PCR if you need a recovery cert.

E has tested positive. A few in her class have come down with it and now she has too. So far just a mild sore throat but i’m on symptom watch.

[mischief]

I've been pinged 4 times today from Saturday when the only place I went to was the football and was sat outside the whole time.
Lily I tested negative, gave a friend with parkinsons a lift to and from the football so about 40 mins in the car, and then tested positive the following day. I felt really guilty but he was fine

[Lily]

Mischief, thanks for sharing that. I've calmed down a bit but it's such a horrible feeling.

I'm still testing positive. According to the latest guidance I can go out after 5 days, which it has been, but I just don't feel comfortable doing that. My mum's work (she's a carer) are telling her to go in after 10 days positive or not as she won't be contagious then. I've got a big charity lunch tomorrow and I'm due to go away for a reunion this Saturday. While I can technically go to both these things it would feel so wrong doing so when testing positive. It feels so cavalier.

[overthehill]

OTH, you can get free antigen tests. I’ve been ordering them through the HSE site, literally ordered them today. You. An also get a PCR if you need a recovery cert.

Thanks for that. I had no idea. On the other hand, I had a look and I think the reason you can get them is because you have children. The HSE site says you can order free tests for your child if there are cases of Covid in their class. Otherwise, they seem to only be available to healthcare workers.

Fingers crossed that E doesn't show any other symptoms.

The good news, for me, is that the 'positive' line on this morning's test was sooooo faint, that you could almost only see it if you held the test up to the light. So, while neither the Tour Guiding course tutor, nor my work colleagues, want me around until I've done my 3 days of 'taking extra care', I'll be back to work on Saturday.

[bramblerose]

I do think if you (one) are still testing positive, you (one) should stay at home.

I'm not taking the moral high ground, it's just how I feel and what I would do taking into account my situation . I may feel differently if I wasn't able to work from home and didn't get sick pay.

[Kenickie]

I feel the same as Bramble. I understand it's not easy for everyone, but if you can WFH then I definitely think it's better to keep isolating and definitely not go to social events.

[Lily]

I do agree, even for no other reason than it *feels* wrong. Mum is negative now, but the care home, you'd have thought, would be on top WRT science and would want to care for their clients more than your average business. I don't know.

I hope E doesn't hit too hard, Starry.

[sally maclennane]

I have real sympathy for care homes though, they struggle to get staff at the best of times, and it's not like their staff can WFH. It's a privilege that not everyone has

[Lily]

Well, that's why I'm thinking they know more than average Joe (I include myself in that!) and I would take what they say seriously.

It's not like people are going to know their positive/negative situation as most won't buy tests.

[Texaco Shirley]

I have a spare box if you want it, Tex? Totally understand if you'd rather not give out your address to a random though.

They just arrived, thank you Ella.

[Ella]

Oh good. They went AWOL for a bit, and at one point they were going to deliver them to me instead .

[Texaco Shirley]

That would have been helpful :lol:

[Ella]

Honestly, the low-level rage when I got the email :lol:.

[Kenickie]

We've just had updated guidance from our nursery, taken from government guidance. It's no longer recommended to test children or young adults at all unless specifically requested by a health professional which seems odd.

[Disco]

"let it rip"

[Ella]

Got to get those numbers down somehow.

[Little My]

Are you on 4th shots in the UK already? It's starting here tomorrow for ages 60+. We have skyrocketing cases (and nobody is reporting on rapid tests, or testing nearly as much as they would have previously).

I'm pleased to see lots of people still wearing masks. I don't feel weird about still wearing mine at all.

[H1ppychick]

My mum should have had her second booster (4th shot) today. I think it's for over-75s and immunocompromised only though.