Prosperous soul embraces creativity & mortgage neutrality

EssexHebridean

LFTs before symptoms appear are closer to 99% reliable jwil - which is as I understand it why it's now being suggested that those folk that get a positive LFT but a negative PCR should take a further PCR - it's incredibly unlikely anyone will get a false-positive LFT, but a false negative PCR is a lot more likely. (But again, how much are they letting THAT be known? I'm seeing plenty of people on social media saying they got a negative PCR so "phew - all good!" 

My point on someone taking an LFT on Christmas day before heading to family, but not testing subsequently or previously was precisely that - it IS a snapshot in time, and things can change rapidly. There was an image I saw last week highlighting this - 4 LFT's taken one morning, that same evening, the following morning and then that same afternoon - first two completely clear, third showing the faintest of positive line, and the final one full on positive. Someone relying on test 1, or even so (so xmas eve morning or afternoon) would be potentially giving the Christmas gift nobody wants come the 25th! lots of people replying to that one (I think it was on instagram although I may misremember that) saying it hadn't occured to them that just a handful of hours could make such a difference. We're testing daily this week - each morning, and the Christmas day one will be a few hours before leaving to go to my parents place - there's just nothing more we can do but knowing MrEH has been in an environment with someone who tested positive the following day I confess I'm very uneasy.

And yes - LFT's are usually clear again before someone no longer needs to isolate aren't they while IIRC a PCR is likely to show a continued positive for around 3 weeks in most people, but that can extend to be much longer, even though it's highly unlikely for someone to still be infectious in real terms then. Again down to the LFT's needing a certain level of viral load to achieve their full potential, as it were. 

I agree completely about the symptoms thing too - it's ludicrous that they've not been updated. Even with Delta it was far more like a cold or hayfever in most people I think, to start with - the other symptoms follow later, yet all the official guidance still says the original stuff! Pah! Now we've got Omicron, and at a time of year when colds are already doing the rounds....! 

savingholmes

Thanks EH and Jwil

Lots to think about.  DD working from home today so reduced risk but still due in tomorrow and Wednesday. She wants me to take her to collect a present later.

Today, I had my gas boiler serviced. £65 despite being here 3 hours and mending a small gas leak!! Feel blessed. Grateful I didn't delay that! I had budgeted £100 so £35 can go to grocery budget. Relieved for both reasons.

badmemory

Good move not to delay your boiler service.  I couldn't get my regular guy back in Sept.  My boiler packed in completely last month & he still couldn't/wouldn't come for a week, so I got someone else in.  The repair was going to be expensive & I knew there was something else wrong that the other guy was supposed to be fixing.  So I have a new boiler.  Fitted with just one full day without heating, it was either that or wait 3 weeks.  I have hot water to my taps for the first time in 3 years & a NEW BOILERMAN.  Said with a wail in the tone - why do they always break when the weather's at its coldest.  It isn't like I ever turn it off!

jwil

Yes, our public health team say if you test positive on LFT you pretty much definitely have covid, but testing negative does not mean that you do not have it.

Great news about the boiler service, what a relief!

savingholmes

Thanks @badmemory and Jwil

badmemory said:

Said with a wail in the tone - why do they always break when the weather's at its coldest.  It isn't like I ever turn it off!

I know it's always the way of it isn't it. Glad you got yours sorted though and switched to someone better from the sound of things. Just taken DD out to collect gift for someone that was out of stock locally. For the first time ever she is sending me fuel £. It's all progress. Took nearly 2 hours of my life. 

Well the possible painting sale saga continues - she's asked for measurements, extra photos, address but not yet confirmed the sale... It will be very symbolic if the painting does go - as Ex said of it - that he preferred an earlier version and that I'd 'ruined it.' When it sells - I want to use at least some of the money to buy more canvases.

I'm still waiting for my revised bank passcodes after locking myself out 11 days ago. Really hope they haven't sent them to Ex as I need them. I've done a bit of a £ shuffle and sent some £ to that account to ensure it stays in the black.

My new broadband router still hasn't come - so hoping to have free BB this month... as got it working with an extra box thing - but it shouldn't need it.

savingholmes

Well in a new twist - Sh3ll have written and said I am their energy customer - and that the credit will be transferred to them - and that the first direct debit will be just over £120 not the £250 I'd budgeted. Happy days. Paid another £100 off target CC. 

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

Hi savings - good your bill is less than you were expecting.

Also interested in the book you're reading currently - or listening to.

Positive thoughts for the sale of the painting being sent your way too x

skint_spice

Fingers crossed here too for your first art sale.

badmemory

Be careful!  If the DD hasn't gone up by 50% after your supplier went kaput you must have reduced your usage by an awful lot.

My original DD with PE was £142 and was completely correct on my normal annual usage which has not gone up.  My new DD with BG is £225 & based on the best price (SVR) is also completely correct based on the same annual usage.  Not cutting down on heat, so belt tightening has been the order of the day.

leftatthetrafficlights

Energy companies are a nightmare! 🙈 
I must admit that last month I forgot to put a reading in so my bill ended up £50 more than it normally is - I know prices have increased but seemed excessive to me! 😔 I won't make the same mistake this month and who knows, it may make it cheaper than usual!! 😉😂 

Happy solstice @savingholmes - I hope that the forthcoming year brings you peace and happiness- 2022 will be the year that you can really be who you are 😊