Does anyone test for Covid anymore?

Farzanah, I realised a long time ago, that it is my sole responsibility to keep myself safe.

You cannot rely on the humanity of others. Not being vaccinated is a personal choice, but please don't try to persuade me with your nonsensical conspiracy theories, anti vaxxers.

I went for a blood test this week and the phlebotomist said that she had a woman coughing all over her, and asked her to go and put a mask on. As there are likely to be many vulnerable people, including those having cancer therapy, attending for blood tests I am surprised that the hospital doesn’t stipulate masks.

The phlebotomist’s response was “some people are thick”!

So what do you do if you do test positive Farzanah? Isolate like the bad old days?
That’s no longer government advice so I’d just maintain a safe distance from people but not shut myself away.

You are right , covid is not going away. It is a virus like colds and flu and they mutate so each year ( like colds and flu) there will be vaccinations . Not to stop you from contracting but to protect your body and potentially give you a milder form of the illness.
People don’t test now as the virus mutated itself and people’s immune systems adapted to the new illness so it is not generally serious like it was when it first appeared and as such downgraded illness stakes.

Basically we should treat it as a normal seasonal cold/ flu and look after yourself with the usual remedies.
There re no longer any isolation rules and we just have to crack on with life but We should have a courtesy towards others and avoid close contact if possible when infected , especially if you know someone is vulnerable .

I've never ever taken a test or had a covid jab. If I had a cold I'd keep away from people anyway

Farzanah

Ivermectin eh? Anti parasitic medication as RosieMaw says. Doesn’t mention covid.

Side effects as long as your arm according to the BNF.
Notably tachycardia, vertigo, psychiatric disorder, encephalopathy eye inflammation, urinary incontinence………lots more.
One definitely to be taken under medical supervision only if necessary.

The Covid vaccine seems the better option to me!

People don’t test now as the virus mutated itself and people’s immune systems adapted to the new illness

Basically we should treat it as a normal seasonal cold/ flu and look after yourself with the usual remedies.

That did make me laugh. I will remember that and not bother with anti virals. I suggest that fellow grans, who are also immunosuppressed do the same. 😉

Jasudow it is a virus like colds and flu
No it isn’t, and you are clearly ill informed about the science.

The elderly and vulnerable who are dying from covid in hospital are dying at a greater rate than from flu, and Covid is not seasonal. Have you ever heard of “long flu” or “long head cold”? Long covid is still affecting thousands in this country.

Posters fortunate enough to have avoided the cluster of auto immune conditions that travel with RA are fortunate. It seems many of them are a tad smug and either don’t see or don’t care about the reality of being immuno suppressed

Iam64

Posters fortunate enough to have avoided the cluster of auto immune conditions that travel with RA are fortunate. It seems many of them are a tad smug and either don’t see or don’t care about the reality of being immuno suppressed

That is exactly what my thoughts were. You have put it more politely, Iam.

We test if we are visiting our daughter who has multiple health problems and a biopsy next week.The last thing she needs is Covid so we test the day before we head over and the morning before we leave

Retread

Hi dragonfly I'm sorry you've had Covid 3 times! Bummer.

I recently had a "bad cold" that started with an intense sore throat on the first day only.

I rested and stayed indoors and took Vut C and Zinc etc and only when it was improving did I think "Hm, I wonder whether that was Covid?" (I've never had it). My point is, must we now test for every "cold"? Genuine question.

I had the same Retread and the "cold" has dragged on in various ways which make me pretty sure it was mild Covid. However we have no in-date tests left now so I've simply stayed out of everybody's way and moved to the spare room. My husband's had it too. We're both fully vaccinated, in fact he has twice as many jabs as I do as he is considered at risk.

If I had cold flu or felt unwell yes I would test but so far I’ve been well so don’t need to I do think people should do yes, but 2 people I know have told me they have gone on public transport knowing full well they tested positive for Covid. No masks worn either. Not a care in the world

Heavenleigh. Yes, now hardly anyone wearing masks on public transport. And, during the Covid pandemic, the windows of our local buses were kept open. No longer though. I wish they still were. Isn’t it better to feel a bit chilly than catch Covid, colds or flu! People have become complacent.

I test as I'm immune compromised. I think it's safer that way. Most people don't but not giving a thought to those of us who have caught it several times or been hospitalised due to covid. The government didn't want mass absenteeism, that's why testing stopped

Unless I was feeling ill I wouldn’t stay at home or test. A relative who is paramedic doesn’t have to isolate now or test. It is trying to build up the herd immunity like Finland did during the Pandemic, there cases and fatalities were way below ours. If someone is vulnerable or has a weak immune system they probably should wear a mask when out as even a common cold could be harmful.

WelwynWitch, this is taken from the WHO site.

Attempts to reach ‘herd immunity’ through exposing people to a virus are scientifically problematic and unethical. Letting COVID-19 spread through populations, of any age or health status will lead to unnecessary infections, suffering and death

If I read this correctly, herd immunity is not a simple process. Where did you get your information from? I am genuinely interested.

I also read achieving herd immunity varies with different diseases and no-one knows accurately many people need to be vaccinated to achieve Covid herd immunity.

As for being treated by non mask wearing paramedics, as someone who is severely immunocompromised, I am very concerned
to read your post.

I agree. Marydoll but it’s the same in hospital too with regard to mask wearing, and they still used the flimsy blue masks when there is was an covid outbreak in a ward in my local hospital. I was visiting a friend and took my own FP2 mask.

WelwynWitch3 our Coronavirus strategy wasn't great and obviously Finland did "better" but the papers coming out of Finland are inconclusive I think regarding their "strategy" and there's something of a controversy I thought?

WelwynWitch3

Unless I was feeling ill I wouldn’t stay at home or test. A relative who is paramedic doesn’t have to isolate now or test. It is trying to build up the herd immunity like Finland did during the Pandemic, there cases and fatalities were way below ours. If someone is vulnerable or has a weak immune system they probably should wear a mask when out as even a common cold could be harmful.

Finland has a teeny tiny population. We can't compare the UK at all.

No. That's true as well Sparkle

What is an FP2 mask?

I have never taken a covid test! And never will!

Granmarderby10

What is an FP2 mask?

Briefly, and as a general rule.
FP1 masks protect others but not necessarily the wearer.
FP2 masks filter 94% of airborne particles if close fitting, and protect wearer and others.
FP3 masks filter 98% of particles and protect wearer and others.

Just to add to Farzanah's explanation - if you are in America, the N95 is almost the same as the EU's FFP2.
Our family used them (and the FFP3s -which I think may be called N98 in America) during the pandemic.

They are technically "respirators" - you can buy them in places you might go for building supplies as well as medical places. I'm sure everyone has seen them at some point.

I bought a pack years ago for sanding a wall - and my builder used them for taking out a wall.
My son-in-law used them for sanding a table.
The plasterer used one when mixing plaster too, now I think of it.

Some EU countries (Germany and Austria I think) made FFP2 level masks mandatory in many (most?) public places when the pandemic was at its worst.