Free Covid Test Kits

[Hugh R]

a real link

https://special.usps.com/testkits

[red-beard]

Or

http://covidtests.gov/

[stevej37]

Ok...what am I missing here?
If a person is vaccinated...why would one want a test kit?

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Ok...what am I missing here?
If a person is vaccinated...why would one want a test kit?

You can still carry the virus in your nose and infect others. Doesn't matter if you're sick or not.

[stevej37]

I see and talk to other people every day. So..I would have to use a test every day?
Or only if I feel sick? And if it's in my nose...will I even feel sick.

Sorry about the Q's...I just don't get the importance of the kits.

[Zeke]

What can I say?

[red-beard]

The issue is if you don't feel well, you should test. Problem: there aren't tests around, they are sold out. Solution: The government is sending you "free" tests. 4 of them per residential address and in 7-12 days.

If you are not sick, do not test.

If you test positive, follow CDC guidelines (5 days at home/5 days with a mask).

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Ok...what am I missing here?
If a person is vaccinated...why would one want a test kit?

the CV vaccine is not like MMR, Small Pox, etc.... It's not a one time deal and you never have to worry about it again (those aren't exactly like that either, but mostly).

CV is more like the flu vaccine, you'll need anti-bodies for every version, and we'll likely have to get boosters forever. If you're vaccinated and boosted, you can still catch it and get sick and if you're sick you can still give it to other people.

If you are concerned with trying to not give it to friends, family, turtles, etc..., then it's good to know if you've got it. If you feel sick, test yourself. If you test positive, take precautions.

[stevej37]

Maybe I'll apply for mine. I don't think there is as much concern about it here, as in other more populated areas.

I went for a haircut yesterday. I wore a mask into the place and the gal at the counter said "that's not necessary' before I could even say that I am fully vaxed.
Never see anyone masked up going into a restaurant anymore.

The turtles won't wear masks....

[Baz]

Just placed an order. Very easy. Thanks, Hugh!

[Por_sha911]

It appears that the rapid antigen test is not very reliable. If you genuinely think you have COVID go to a doctor and get the more reliable test (it is also free).l
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-accurate-are-rapid-covid-tests

[Jeff Hail]

Be careful with the 15 Minute Abbott /Binax Covid test - Hazard warnings


https://ensur.invmed.com/ensur/contentAction.aspx?key=ensur.524148.S2R4E4A3.20200 830.10292.4347288


Safety Data Sheet warning or the Instant (15 minute) Covid test.

Specifically for the Abbot/Binax 15 minute test kit you can currently get at Walgreens, CVS and most drug stores. Many facilities, senior, intermediate care also are starting to use these.

The ingredient in the test activator is Sodium Azide, in liquid form can be fatal if ingested or gets on your skin. Its listed at the very bottom of the SDS insert.

Sodium Azide is used in air bag squibs as well as rocket motors. When combusted the gas becomes a toxic respiratory irritant until dispersed into the atmosphere.

In its unburned state if you ingest or get it on your skin:

• When sodium azide is ingested, it mixes with stomach acid and forms the toxic gas, hydrozoic acid. If a person who has ingested sodium azide is vomiting, isolate and stay away from the stomach contents (vomit) to avoid exposure to the toxic gas.

Washing yourself and skin contact: As quickly as possible, wash any sodium azide from your skin with large amounts of soap and water. Washing with soap and water will help protect people from any chemicals from your body. Do not use water alone as that can alone can also convert to a toxic gas.

No specific antidote exists for sodium azide poisoning.

• Disposal : Do not pour substances containing sodium azide (such as food, water, or vomit) in the drain, because the drain can explode and cause serious harm.
• Contamination: place your clothing inside a plastic bag. Avoid touching contaminated areas of the clothing. If you can’t avoid touching contaminated areas, or you aren’t sure where the contaminated areas are, wear rubber gloves or put the clothing in the bag using tongs, tool handles, sticks, or similar objects. Anything that touches the contaminated clothing should also be placed in the bag. If you wear contacts, put them in the plastic bag, too.

Seal the bag, and then seal that bag inside another plastic bag. Disposing of your clothing in this way will help protect you and other people from any chemicals that might be on your clothes.

• When the local or state health department or emergency personnel arrive, tell them what you did with your clothes. The health department or emergency personnel will arrange for further disposal. Do not handle the plastic bags yourself.

Additional information:
Similar to cyanide, sodium azide and hydrozoic acid also interfere with cellular respiration and aerobic metabolism, preventing the cells from using oxygen. The central nervous system and the cardiovascular system are most sensitive to acute sodium azide poisoning.

Signs and symptoms of exposure
Following is a list of signs and symptoms that may be encountered in a person exposed to sodium azide. Signs and symptoms are not listed in order of importance, presentation or specificity. Also, partial presentations (an absence of some of the following signs/symptoms) do not necessarily imply less severe disease.

Central nervous system signs and symptoms
• Agitation
• Coma
• Convulsions
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Loss of consciousness (sudden collapse)


Respiratory signs and symptoms
• Bradypnea (decreased respiratory rate)
• Chest pain
• Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
• Hyperpnea (increased respiratory rate/depth)

Cardiovascular signs and symptoms
• Bradycardia (decreased heart rate)— late
• Flushing
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)— early
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)— late
• Tachycardia (increased heart rate)— early

Gastrointestinal signs and symptoms
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Other signs
• Similar color of retinal arteries and veins
• Skin and eye irritation

Laboratory findings suggestive of sodium azide poisoning
• Metabolic acidosis
• Elevated anion gap
• Increased plasma lactate concentration

Differential diagnosis – poisoning with
• Carbon monoxide
• Cyanide
• Ethylene glycol
• Fluoroacetate
• Hydrogen sulfide
• Methanol
• Phosphine

[Tishabet]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hail

Be careful with the 15 Minute Abbott /Binax Covid test - Hazard warnings

So don't drink the reagent... Check

Hugh, thanks for sharing! Stay healthy everyone!

[Tobra]

yeah, don't drink it, or let it touch you, looks like the LD50 is lower for skin than for oral, freaky

[Jeff Hail]

Originally Posted by Tishabet

So don't drink the reagent... Check

Hugh, thanks for sharing! Stay healthy everyone!

Mate,

Its a little more detailed. In the hands of some who may not be steady, or an elderly person, someone with Parkinsonism, generally a nervous, shaky, tremors or ill person handling a dropper maybe challenging when its only about 1-3/4 inch inches long and getting it to its target hole. Obviously taking that into consideration creates a hazard and drinking the agent would be the least of my concerns. If anyone has ever been in a senior living community the concerns are apparent and obvious when it comes to dexterity.

Stay healthy-

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Ok...what am I missing here?
If a person is vaccinated...why would one want a test kit?

You're missing that now the GUBMIT is gonna buy at least a quarter of a billion tests from the companies that manufacture the tests.

Who owns those companies?

[Arizona_928]

I dunno. But i need to buy stock in them so my monopoly money is worth something....

[Aurel]

Two questions:
1. Do you get the result at home?
2. Can the results be used for travel? How official is it?

Thanks!

[Aurel]

I answered my own questions with a little bit of research.
In general, those tests are good for travel, give instant results because they are antigen type, and are validated because they are administered in front of a nurse, by telehealth.
Just ordered a free 4 pack for our upcoming trip to Puerto Rico.

https://www.afar.com/magazine/cdc-approves-at-home-covid-tests-for-international-travel

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by Aurel

Two questions:
1. Do you get the result at home?
2. Can the results be used for travel? How official is it?

Thanks!

I think you will have an immediate +, or - test result with these kits at home, but should be for your own purposes, because anyone flying needs a lab administered test done by professionals.