shewhomust | Baby's first lateral flow test

durham_rambler had to test himself as a condition of attending the count (in the Parish Council election); he hadn't had cause to do it again since, and I never had. But I was impressed by the reassurance of a friend we have a date with next month, that she and her husband are testing regularly at home. We are beginning to go out more, and making plans to see other people: testing twice a week, as recommended by the government, seems like overkill, but once in a while, as and when, seemed like a good idea. We have a social date tomorrow: so there is no time like the present.

It's a palaver, isn't it? Open this, prepare that, read the instructions...

durham_rambler was very kind about talking me through the process, which felt like being the audience for a conjuring trick: I am opening this sachet, and you will see there is a wand inside it. Take hold of it - carefully! by the end! between thumb and forefinger! I had been warned that swabbing the back of your throat is unpleasant, so it was the sticking the thing up my nose that took me by surprise. I was sneezing for half an hour afterwards.

I have an uneasy feeling that if it's that complicated, I've probably done it wrong. But for what it's worth, we each have a recent negative test, and can party with a clear conscience.