Coworker- sore throat

[NancyW]

Well, now what?

I'm not freaking out about it but rather trying to wrap my head around how we move forward in this new world we live in.

Work early yesterday morning, my coworker told me she had a sore throat, felt kind of blah but no fever. So, not 100 % but also not sick enough to stay home. Maybe its sinuses.. allergies

Its not realistic that with every ache or pain or sore throat we stay home or run to get tested.

How do we move forward in a reasonable and sustainable way?

[elizabethalice]

I have no idea to be honest! Sore throat I think can be a Delta symptom but it can also be a symptom of soooo many other things! It's such a difficult one isn't it. As you've seen on my thread I'm isolating due to close contact and I am second guessing every single feeling I have right now!

[NancyW]

That's exactly what I mean, we can't survive like this its not reasonable or survivable for businesses, education etc.

Fall is coming, colds, allergies and sinus symptoms are going to really escalate soon.

If we are sick for sure of course but a little bit of a sore throat which could be a number of things, we can't stay home and isolate for 10 days every time or run to get tested.

[elizabethalice]

I really wish the lateral flow tests were more reliable because they are a really good tool. But you just can't rely on them really!

We've had big problems with the covid app in the UK which has caused millions of people to isolate - I was pinged once when I hadn't seen anyone socially except my boyfriend and had been masked every time I was inside. I still did the iso but I can imagine if I'd needed to work outside the house etc it would have been very frustrating.

It's so tough, because I've always been very very pro doing what we can to limit the spread of the virus. But there does get to a point where it's not feasible to live like this I agree. I do think it was wrong of the UK gov to open up completely before everyone got a chance to be vaxxed though!

[Catkins]

I find it a real struggle, I think we will very much relying on the lateral flow tests going forward. I think everyone will be expected to do one if they experience symptoms that could be connected to covid and if they get a positive then get a PCR. The way I understand it is that you are more likely to get a false positive rather than a false negative.

I have to test twice weekly for work anyway. But I've been coughing a bit more than normal so was pleased to do it today. Basically I smoked too much because I was really anxious so I coughed more (I know it's a terrible habit).

To be honest because I have to wear a mask (plus PPE with any patients) at work the majority of the time and I'm continuing to wear one in shops and am continuing to use gel I kind of feel that I'm doing the best I can. Plus because it's summer most socialising is still outside.

To be honest I'm glad I live in a small rural town, I found it really hard work visiting London the other week.

[NancyW]

We don't have lateral flow tests in the US. Unless they are like the rapid test we can get at some pharmacies or urgent cares.

Last November when I had covid I went to an urgent care facility. It was $278 for the rapid test.

[elizabethalice]

We don't have lateral flow tests in the US. Unless they are like the rapid test we can get at some pharmacies or urgent cares.

Last November when I had covid I went to an urgent care facility. It was $278 for the rapid test.

$278!! That's crazy, and if they are the same they are not even that reliable!

[Pamplemousse]

We don't have lateral flow tests in the US. Unless they are like the rapid test we can get at some pharmacies or urgent cares.

Do the rapid tests you have in the States look anything like these pictured here?

https://www.queens.ox.ac.uk/lft

https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2021-07-14-lateral-flow-tests-are-95-effective-detecting-covid-19-when-used-onset-symptoms

(ETA: yes, you can get LFTs in the US.)

You get a result in 30 minutes with these and for the moment, they are still free on the NHS - it's the PCR tests that you have to pay for if you're not symptomatic or you need one for travel/quarantine testing here in the UK.

Explanation here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understa...thout-symptoms

I didn't realise that a pregnancy test is a lateral flow test!

[.Poppy.]

We don't have lateral flow tests in the US. Unless they are like the rapid test we can get at some pharmacies or urgent cares.

Last November when I had covid I went to an urgent care facility. It was $278 for the rapid test.

Yikes! I went to urgent care and I think my insurance covers the test (at least according to their site) but that makes me super nervous of the bill I could be about to receive...

[NancyW]

They billed it as an office visit. 🙄

I did not see the rapid test, the nurse at the urgicare put a swab up my nose on both sides and swirled it around. She left the room with it and the dr walked in in 15 minutes and told me my test was positive. He was dressed head to foot in something like a space suit.