COVID testing - try it if you haven't?

[brainwane]

This only applies to you if you are someplace where it's feasible and not too expensive to get a COVID-19 test. And in particular it applies to you if you sometimes get overwhelmed by logistics, especially unfamiliar logistics -- for instance, if you have executive function problems.

If you have never been tested for COVID, or if the last time you got tested was more than a year ago, then it might be worthwhile for you to get tested, just so you know how it works. Even if you have no symptoms.

If you get tested sometime when you're not too worried about it, then you get the process of getting tested into the "known things I know how to do" category in your brain.

And that way, if/when you actually do start feeling relevant symptoms, or find out you've been exposed, then you already know the drill of how to go get a high-quality molecular (PCR) test, how to make the appointment or whether you need one, where the facility is, how it will feel physically, what documents to grab for insurance or whatever, etc. Or, for self-tests with antigen tests/lateral flow tests, you'll know how to administer it and read the results. And so you will be able to deal with the current scary thing without also having to learn and deal with a bunch of new-to-you logistics.

Example: during the pandemic I've gotten tested several times through New York City's free testing facilities. So back in September, when I learned that I'd been exposed at an event, I knew exactly what to do and was able to quickly get a same-day appointment at an express location that does high-quality PCR tests and got me a result within three hours. If I had been dealing with the oh-no adrenaline AND trying to figure out how to go get tested, I might not have gotten that appointment and I might have had to wait days and days to get some peace of mind.

Again: I'm only suggesting this if it makes sense for your situation. Hope it helps.

Comments

[jesse_the_k]

Great advice!

[cahn]

This is good advice. We took it inadvertently because 11-year-old had to get a test for a field trip she was going on, so we had to figure out the test logistics. This made it WAY WAY easier when both kids were exposed; I just went to the same website, signed them up, went for the appt, it was a snap, while some other parents were floundering.

...Of course now that testing site is going away, so I have to figure all this out again with a different test site, blah.

[eirias]

Agreed, I love this advice. I have been doing near-daily lateral flow/antigen tests for the last week because of some unexpected travel, and the repetition has made the process much less intimidating.

[lilacsigil]

Unfortunately where I live the options are "take time off work in healthcare with nobody to replace me" or "100km round trip" so since I've never had symptoms, I've never been tested. I think this is great advice for people with accessible testing though!

[lilysea]

I looked into getting tested when I had some symptoms [almost certainly my chronic illness]

and discovered that there were ZERO options in my city for getting tested if you physically couldn't attend a testing site due to chronic illness/Disability :(

[cuddyclothes]

This is great advice! I've been tested several times. That last time was on your advice, when I was sick and didn't think it was covid. Spoiler alert: it was. The results came through fast, as you know, and I went to the ER and got monoclonal antibody treatment, which helped. This was a breakthrough infection.

My live writing group has resumed, and the host insists all of us be vaccinated. On your first visit, you have to provide your proof of vaccination, even if you're a long-time member. We've been to several public events and had to show our vaxx pass and photo ID. It's very reassuring. Although I'm not ready to go to a movie theater!

[j00j]

Good advice.
I found the home test instructions intimidating the first time I did one, ditto the drivethrough self-swab testing that's the easiest in our area (they do have a decent video that walks you through the process). The other thing to know with a lot of the home tests is that if they have the pregnancy test like lines, you need decent color vision to read them. Colorblind partner requires one of us to be available within the test reading time window to read it for him.