COVID testing - try it if you haven't?
Dec. 14th, 2021 02:13 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
brainwaneThis 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.
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.
