I’m a covid tester and I’d like to take this opportunity to remind people to please be nice to us. A lot of us work 13 hour shifts in all weather for minimum wage or just above. We’re exhausted, we’re haemorrhaging staff and we’ve been subject to rising levels of abuse. All of us have had to work over Christmas and new year with only a few days off. We’re not doctors or nurses. We still deserve the same respect. We aren’t here to hurt you or give you a hard time. We’re trying to help. Please don’t take out your frustrations on us.

If you need to visit a test site, please just follow the rules. If you go to a drive through test site, I’d recommend going to self test section (where you swab yourself). Sometimes, we need to test vulnerable adults and it can take us a while to get them swabbed. You could get stuck for 20 minutes behind a granny with dementia who’s really struggling. If you go to self test, you can be in and out fairly quickly. If you are really struggling and want us to preform the test, just remember to be nice. Roll the window up and down when we ask. Don’t ask us questions or tell us all your symptoms and exactly why you’re there. I just need to know if you’ve got any sore bits in your mouth or nose to avoid. I don’t need to know if you’ve got ten positive lateral flows or if you’ve seen your cousin’s uncle’s dog who’s now got covid. Don’t ask me for medical advice. I am literally not allowed to give any advice. I’m just trained in basic first aid and in covid swabbing. That’s it. Call the number on the card if you have any questions or problems. Don’t have a go at us about wait times. I package your test up and it gets sent to a lab. The wait times have nothing to do with me. Just be nice to me and I’ll make things as quick and painless as I can.

I know this might come across as ranty, but I’m just so tired of being treated horribly at work. We’re all stressed out and tired. We all have places to be and things to do. Just don’t take your frustrations out on the people who are doing their best to help you.