NHS COVID advice useless and almost dangerous.

My partner had Covid a couple of months ago. He probably caught it from his son, who had been to a wedding, where a number of guests later tested positive.

My partner and I don't live together, but see each other a few days every week. Even though he didn't feel that unwell, he tested himself and tested positive, so we cancelled seeing each other that week (10 days total).

I'm extremely grateful that he was responsible enough to test because I was due to go into hospital for as cancer op, which would have been postponed if I had caught Covid. I'm also diabetic, so am at higher than average risk of serious illness, if I catch Covid.

As far as I know, I haven't had Covid. Unfortunately, I don't trust everybody to be responsible, which is why I keep away from enclosed spaces and crowds. It's still compulsory to wear masks in medical settings and I was tested before admittance to hospital.

I thought I had Covid, I tested positive but did it again 5 hours later and it was negative. Mr B also had the same symptons but tested negative. So we decided, does it matter and just stayed in for a few days before we both felt better

Some one always pays a higher price.
Could be the patients on waiting lists for other treatments need our consideration now?

The simple solution is for us all to stop obsessing about an illness that is not dangerous for most people

I do not think it is a matter of "obsessing" - we know that this illness can be very serious for some vulnerable people and many care enough to want to try and protect these people - who could be sitting by us on the Clapham omnibus without us realising. I would rather play it safe for their sake and take a test if unwell.

Clearly as a process it is flawed and not foolproof, but I would rather err on the cautious side.

The sun and fresh air will surely help Esspee?

aonk sadly there are a minority of people for whom covid can be a serious illness
True.

Baggs If masking, lockdowns and vaccinations haven't prevented that, what's the point?
A good question.

Last week I had a very sore throat and both ears ached. I took a covid test which was negative. Now OH is feeling awful and has throat and ear problems. He has tested negative.
Our solution is to keep away from people and disappear off to Loch Lomond where we will remain while the weather is glorious.
I can't think what else we can do.

Sadly there is a minority of people for whom covid can be a serious illness. I’m now living as I was before covid, travelling, meeting people, going to crowded places and so on. However I’m mindful that it’s a contagious virus and I test if I feel unwell. For me this is the way forward. I appreciate that others may feel differently about this.

Three weeks to flatten the curve they said....

.....and we're into the third year.

GrannySomerset

I suspect that there will be a surge in cases after all the crowds gathering following HM’s death. We will just have to get used to it and get our vaccinations.

If lockdowns, masking and vaccinations haven't prevented that, what on earth was the point?

Baggs

The simple solution is for us all to stop obsessing about an illness that is not dangerous for most people.

The list of possible symptoms has been ridiculous from very early on in the voluminous reports and publications that have been inflicted on us.

With hindsight I think I had covid for several days before I got a positive test result but of course I didn't know that until I was apparently recovering from a bit of a cold over a weekend and took a test just to make sure because I work with vulnerable people and it was required. By that time I'd probably had covid for a week.

Which suggests to me that LFTs are daft as well as all the fear-mongering.

I agree on all points.
Plus it's very important that we dont shut down other points of view.
We dont have to agree, but the freedom to read as many perspectives as possible is imperative.

I suspect that there will be a surge in cases after all the crowds gathering following HM’s death. We will just have to get used to it and get our vaccinations.

I know three with covid now. One had it previously and her symptoms are mild however the other two have been poorly neither had it before. One started with a very bad headache the other with a sore throat. Both have been /still are poorly and continue to test positive after 7 days. Both (unrelated) have bad flu symptoms with chest infection. They have all been vaccinated. I agree if you feel ill regardless of symptoms it's probably best to do a test.

My dearest sister has caught it yet again and is really poorly this time. She is fully vaccinated too. I am concerned about her this time as previous times it was just like a cold for a couple of days then she felt fine. She is running a temperature, hot, then cold with shivers, she has developed a cough and has sore throat and feels really poorly. We were together Saturday and i have twice tested since but am negative each time. Its bizzare how one person can be so poorly and others dont even catch it!!!

Lathyrus

We have to live with it now that we have the vaccinations. Serious cases amongst the vaccinated are lower than that of many other infections like TB.

I don't understand what you mean. There are very few cases of TB in the UK. Do you mean the rate of serious infection is lower? How do you define "serious"?

The simple solution is for us all to stop obsessing about an illness that is not dangerous for most people.

The list of possible symptoms has been ridiculous from very early on in the voluminous reports and publications that have been inflicted on us.

With hindsight I think I had covid for several days before I got a positive test result but of course I didn't know that until I was apparently recovering from a bit of a cold over a weekend and took a test just to make sure because I work with vulnerable people and it was required. By that time I'd probably had covid for a week.

Which suggests to me that LFTs are daft as well as all the fear-mongering.

SueDonim

Cases are at their lowest level for almost a year. A couple of months ago I knew so many people with Covid, including me. Now, I don’t know anyone with it.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-62876420

There are plenty around. But most are not testing to avoid disruption to their work, travel or other appointments, etc- and those who do test, do not report. I know several people with Covid now.

We have to live with it now that we have the vaccinations. Serious cases amongst the vaccinated are lower than that of many other infections like TB.

SueDonim

Cases are at their lowest level for almost a year. A couple of months ago I knew so many people with Covid, including me. Now, I don’t know anyone with it.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-62876420

Cases are only low because 1) people are not testing and 2) you're not obliged to report the result.

I know many people who are getting it for the 2nd or 3rd time, and think infections will only increase now schools are back.

If we feel under the weather, or will be meeting anyone vulnerable, we test and have bought tests at Tesco and Superdrug with no problem.

Tests can be difficult to get. Then, even if you do one and get a positive reading, no-where to report that.

I (to my astonishment), tested positive early in August, was not ill, just like a mild summer cold - only tested as I planned to take the 'negative' result with me when going to any of my u3a groups, as I had a slight cough and sniffles.

I am in my 80's and asthmatic, had all vaccine shots. Certain it was these that kept it to being such a very mild illness. Had I been going to work, would probably not have thought of testing and continued going.

Sadly any illness can be very bad for a small minority. Do not think we can shut a country down because of colds, flu, covid, etc. Just ensure that people do have all appropraite vaccinations.

We are told to test if we get any symptoms here in Australia. We now only have to quarantine for 5 days ,not 7 unless we still have symptoms. There are still a lot of cases but they only announce them occasionally, not everyday as previously.

I have had a few rough patches in health recently so I have been testing. I have GC who I want to be able to see so I have been buying the kits it's worth it IMO I have fortunately tested negative each time.
I agree the health advice seems inadequate it's best just to test with any symptoms or even none.

Cases are at their lowest level for almost a year. A couple of months ago I knew so many people with Covid, including me. Now, I don’t know anyone with it.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-62876420

Instructions are if you feel unwell to stay at home. Not test but return to work when you feel better. Only NHS and carers are to continue testing. NHS need 2 negative tests before returning to work. Advice is to not test children at all. Keep off if unwell then send back when better.