Do normal people not bother testing now?

I'm having a (very) minor procedure at the hospital, and I'm instructed to remain isolated for the 3 preceding days and to test on the day and bring proof that the test is negative (,which reminds me I'm not sure how to prove as I don't have a mobile or printer.

I've tested twice this week as I have a virus with similar symptoms. Fortunately both tests were negative but I've avoided people anyway. I assumed that was normal

When having to pay for kits and advice being very slack on what to do if tested positive can understand why people don't bother. If I was likely to be encountering anyone with health issues I would test. Otherwise taking my chances.

I have used the testing kits from Boots but the numbers weren’t recognised on the .gov reporting site.

I would not test unless I felt unwell…having said that I had no symptoms when I did test positive! However I have tested a couple of times, when people I have been with tested positive, to try to avoid passing anything on.

we test if we're going somewhere with a lot of people .My OH was with friends last week and 3 of them are quite ill with covid ,so we both tested yesterday as we both have hacking coughs but had negative results.We'll check again later in the week just to be sure .Its just being sensible .

I test if I’ve being visiting my family on a train etc as I’m cast as vulnerable.

I felt very unwell a few weeks back. I tested a number of times, all negative results. ( Turns out it was something else ) I, however, am not sure I am a normal person and I have no idea what a normal person is.

They should test. My 35 year old niece has been an induced coma, on kidney dialysis for a week now and this is due to covid. Might be a "sniffle" to some but for others it is deadly.

Fully jabbed but never had a test. I am disabled but haven't felt ill for over 3 years. I get out and about on my scooter and wear a mask if shopping etc.

People in certain settings, eg healthcare are still required to test and presumably tests are provided by the employer.
Out of curiosity I looked at the .gov website the other day and it would seem that you'll only be sent a test kit if asked to test by certain people, eg GP. That test would appear to be an LFT.
I haven't tested recently, but never tested regularly anyway. When I last did, because I was concerned it was 29 December and I did have Covid.
If testing and isolation are not mandated and tests are no longer free, people will not test.

We are all still testing if we are unwell with symptoms indicative of covid

Yes I agree I do think it’s selfish to work with covid but employers are encouraging people into work. Many cannot afford to stay home now as they do not get paid and with rising costs it’s just not possible.

I test if I’m meeting someone vulnerable or if I feel ill. My DH is CEV, with some added complications if he gets ill with anything. We go out and about each day, but we’re still keeping it to the outdoors as much as possible. We wouldn’t go to the theatre etc, and we have given up the gym membership.

By the way, Aldi sell the tests quite cheaply.

Sorry, I asked for my previous post to be deleted as I was having technical difficulties. Thanks for a very speedy response, HQ.
If unwell the whole family tests and isolates if positive, even though there is no legal requirement to do so.
I continue to wear a mask in shops and, frankly, don’t care if people think me out of touch. It makes me feel protected (to a small extent, I concede) and hopefully gives more folk some freedom.

I still test now again if I don’t feel well or have to go to a hospital. I am clinically vulnerable and got sent a letter along with some pcr testing kits early last year. If I tested positive I would be sent some medication to take so I don’t become to ill. Now I am all confused because does this still apply or don’t I need to bother or worry because they tell us this strain is not so bad.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

It's an odd virus, if I was in contact with somebody who turned out to be positive I would test and isolate, 5 of my children got covid, 4 just had cold symptoms,3 of their partners got it and were the same, but one daughter (34)was so Ill an ambulance was called and she went into hospital, her children never got it, my husband was so ill with it at the same time he was taken to hospital by ambulance, while in there there was a lady in the next bed who had 2 strains at the same time,my husband picked up the second type and came home with it, with all this,one daughter myself and grandson who lives with us never got it, I looked after my husband while he was ill, stayed with my daughter to look after her,before knowing she had it,yet I am considered vunerable, 70,HCM and asthma,

you are going on a cruise! I'm not sure you can fit me in
God Id love to come and see you

That was to JaneJudge

When you coming to visit ?!
Coffee and cake on me

NittWitt

That's the trouble maddyone. If we have any sort of a normal life, we could be associating with such people - who are covid positive.
Just as some posters are saying they test before seeing 'vulnerable people' but not otherwise.
What about those of us who are 'vulnerable people'? We just have to stay hidden because no-one cares.

It seems some on here don’t care. They’ve said it before many times. I’m just glad my friends do. Covid would be very dangerous for me but I guess those rabid anti test anti mask people think that’s ok
Or that I should stay hidden away

In fact as I write this, we’re in the north (live in the south) because we’re up here visiting my husband’s father who is in a care home.
We've just made a similar trip and were asked to test before we visited a care home which we did, to wear a mask just while we walked through.

I do not test. I had a doctors appointment today and was asked to wear a mask , I didn’t have one with me as I didn’t know that was still a thing. The doctor and receptionists were not wearing one.

The trouble was that our grandson was crying and pulling away as soon as he saw the swab, it wasn’t a case of swabbing the throat, he’d already been told it was just his nose, but it was still difficult for them. In the end, it had to be done, protests or no protests because he couldn’t get on the plane without it.

I’m circulating fairly normally now. In fact as I write this, we’re in the north (live in the south) because we’re up here visiting my husband’s father who is in a care home. Yesterday while DH visited his father again, I spent the day with my school friend (friends since we were eleven) and today shortly, we’re leaving the hotel and going to visit my niece and her family, before driving home. I’ve had lunch in a pub with friend, and dinner in a different pub with my husband. Last night’s dinner was at my friend’s house. So not exactly the life of a nun. But I have tested twice whilst up here to endure I’m not positive and passing anything on. Tonight we’ll drive south again. I just don’t go to extremely crowded places such as a theatre yet. And I wear a mask in shops.