School children have been faking Covid tests with soft drinks to get time off school

Long gone are the days of kids putting hot water bottles under their pillows to feint a temperature; the children of today are apparently taking advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to get a few days off school. 

Yep, it turns out that crafty UK school children have found a way to ‘fake’ a negative Covid test in a bid to get ten days off school.

The phenomenon came to the attention of parents and teachers via TikTok (because where else?), when the app was suddenly teeming with children and teenagers showing off their handiwork. 

Solen Feyissa / Unsplash

Footage of young people applying various liquids to lateral flow tests have racked up millions of views on the platform, with many users offering their own methods and suggestions.

Coca Cola and fresh orange juice seem to be the most popular choices, though apple juice and vinegar have also been used frequently to get a positive test result.

And in case you’re wondering, the results aren’t a consequence of the drinks containing the virus – it seems to be thanks to the acidity.

@anniespratt / Unsplash

Professor Andrea Sella of University College London said the discovery was not at all surprising, as per The Guardian.

She said: “If someone deliberately mucks up the protocol then of course you’ll get a duff result. But I would add that it’s not a ‘false positive’ in the true sense. Because false positives are ones that take place in spite of adherence to the protocol.”

On the other hand, Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, simply slammed the actions as ‘unhelpful’, and strongly discouraged the behaviour.

@anniespratt / Unsplash

He said: “We are sure this involves a very small minority of pupils, and that for the most part the tests are used correctly.

“However, we would urge parents to ensure that tests are not being misused, and we would suggest to pupils who are interested in chemical reactions that the best place to learn about them is in chemistry lessons in school.”

If a student tests positive, they and the rest of their household has to isolate for ten days, as does anyone in their ‘bubble’ at school.