Free Covid Test Kits

[flatbutt]

I just ordered mine.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by 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

Yes, I've heard that the home tests are moderately accurate.

I also have heard from many sources that getting a better test is tough right now. You may have to wait a while to get an appt. And if/when you get in for the test, you may wait a while to get the results of the test because they are overwhelmed with tests.

So the home tests may be a good first check. Test and depending upon your results decide on a prudent path forward.

[Vipergrün]

Between friends, family, and myself, have probably done 10-12 of these tests. There appears to be more than 6 drops of the agent in the tube. The video proctors advised to just throw away the carton and everything. If the data on the reagent are correct, and there are 500M+ tests being distributed, seems like a huge potential health risk just disposing of the remnants. There was ZERO guidance from the video proctors that there could be any risk. Scary.

[Starless]

Originally Posted by 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....

What do you mean turtles don't wear masks?

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by stevej37

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

This week, my brother and his family and, my sister and a family friend all sick with Covid. All of them vaccinated and boosted.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by 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.

I’m vaccinated and boosted. I ordered the 4 tests allowable per household. If I feel sick, I’ll use one.

A few weeks ago I got an exposure alert on my iPhone saying I was exposed to someone that tested positive….sort of unnerving to get this

So, if i were going to my parents and was feeling not quite right or had an exposure alert, I would test myself before going to see them

I think it’s just a good idea to have them on hand just in case

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

So, if i were going to my parents and was feeling not quite right or had an exposure alert, I would test myself before going to see them

Saw this and wanted to share a recent experience that got me looking at these rapid at home tests. My dad called saying he was up all night coughing and he felt weak. I brought over one of my Abbott Binaxnow tests and helped administer it since I figured my mom and dad's eyesight might not be good enough to accurately count the drops of reagent. Anyhow, we do the test, I go outside to do some work for my dad, come back 15 minutes later because my mom says the line didn't change color, it did, showed negative. So I take him to the walk in clinic to get his oxygen level checked and to have someone listen to his lungs. I ask the nurse practitioner to do a PCR test explaining that we had just done a rapid at home test that came back negative. Sure enough! PCR comes back positive.

So I start looking into the at home tests because from everything I understood about them, they were supposed to be most accurate when symptoms were present.
https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/blog/home-covid-tests
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-accurate-are-rapid-covid-tests

Point being, if you're not feeling quite right, you probably shouldn't trust an at home test to determine whether or not to go to your parent's house for a visit. Just my .02

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Point being, if you're not feeling quite right, you probably shouldn't trust an at home test to determine whether or not to go to your parent's house for a visit. Just my .02

Yup. See link in post #11

[ramonesfreak]

Yes good point.

If I wasn’t feeling well, I’m just going to assume I have Covid and not go anywhere, especially to their house

I’ll take the test just to see what it says but most likely wouldn’t trust a negative result if I’m feeling sick

Hope your dad is ok

Originally Posted by cabmando

Saw this and wanted to share a recent experience that got me looking at these rapid at home tests. My dad called saying he was up all night coughing and he felt weak. I brought over one of my Abbott Binaxnow tests and helped administer it since I figured my mom and dad's eyesight might not be good enough to accurately count the drops of reagent. Anyhow, we do the test, I go outside to do some work for my dad, come back 15 minutes later because my mom says the line didn't change color, it did, showed negative. So I take him to the walk in clinic to get his oxygen level checked and to have someone listen to his lungs. I ask the nurse practitioner to do a PCR test explaining that we had just done a rapid at home test that came back negative. Sure enough! PCR comes back positive.

So I start looking into the at home tests because from everything I understood about them, they were supposed to be most accurate when symptoms were present.
https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/blog/home-covid-tests
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-accurate-are-rapid-covid-tests

Point being, if you're not feeling quite right, you probably shouldn't trust an at home test to determine whether or not to go to your parent's house for a visit. Just my .02

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

Hope your dad is ok

Thanks! He's doing fine. 82 years old and by Monday he was out doing his normal 2 mile walk around his property.

[red-beard]

I had Omicron last week. I started feeling stuffed up, but with my allergies and sinus issues, it could have been anything. The next morning, I went ahead and used one of the tests I brought with me on my business trip. I tested Negative and assumed I had sinus issues.

That night, I started having a fever and some chills (7PM). They ended about 8 hours later when I woke up sweaty. I decided to test myself and this time, I was positive. I did 5 days of quarantine and then returned home.

So a negative test is not a sure thing. If you continue feeling bad, wait a day and use a second test.

The issue with the tests is that they do require specific things to be done, in order and then timed. I think there will be a fair percentage that will not be able to do these tests themselves.

[island911]

Good post ^ thanks.

This testing is not going to stop anything, but does help let people know if they now have immunity going forward. That is very freeing.

The UK (which just had the wave of covid colds pass over them) has ended all mask and vax paper requirements.

IOW, this massive wave of covid-cold (Omicron) is ending this nightmare of paranoia. - When everyone has survived it, no one feels threatened by it.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by masraum

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).

.

Apparently the small pox vax is not a one time deal either. I have two of scars on my arm. Seems some douchy Army docs thought that even though small pox had been eradicated by a vax years ago that it was alive and well in Iraq and that our prior vax would not work.

Since mine was decades old I got the multiple needle pokes again. Others just got a shot type booster.

Yearly evaluations are a great thing. I'm sure this Doc or Docs added this to their list of that year's accomplishments.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by island911

IOW, this massive wave of covid-cold (Omicron) is ending this nightmare of paranoia. - When everyone has survived it, no one feels threatened by it.

Please tell Mrs. Beard this. She had me sleeping in a spare bedroom for 2 days because she was afraid of catching Omicron from me.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

Apparently the small pox vax is not a one time deal either. I have two of scars on my arm. Seems some douchy Army docs thought that even though small pox had been eradicated by a vax years ago that it was alive and well in Iraq and that our prior vax would not work.

Since mine was decades old I got the multiple needle pokes again. Others just got a shot type booster.

Yearly evaluations are a great thing. I'm sure this Doc or Docs added this to their list of that year's accomplishments.

I went back to India after 29 years. My doc had me update and boost almost all of my vaccinations, except Yellow Fever. I also got a few vaccinations that did not exist in 1988.

[stevej37]

Using both links on the first two posts...I'm getting the following message....

"We couldn't validate your address. Please check that you typed the correct info into the correct fields and try again, or confirm your address on USPS.com and try again."

I triple checked my address and it's correct.
Tried 4 different times...same message.

[Aurel]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Using both links on the first two posts...I'm getting the following message....

"We couldn't validate your address. Please check that you typed the correct info into the correct fields and try again, or confirm your address on USPS.com and try again."

I triple checked my address and it's correct.
Tried 4 different times...same message.

Maybe they ran out already…

[stevej37]

I just finished up ordering them.
My address is 2784 W.4th St.

They wouldn't accept the dot after the West. It's saved on my computer that way and it's never been a problem before. I don't know why it is now.

They also sent this...."COVID-19 tests will start shipping in late January. USPS will only send one set of #4 free at-home COVID-19 tests to valid residential addresses."

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Using both links on the first two posts...I'm getting the following message....

"We couldn't validate your address. Please check that you typed the correct info into the correct fields and try again, or confirm your address on USPS.com and try again."

I triple checked my address and it's correct.
Tried 4 different times...same message.

Maybe you've already been selected to be sent to "Quarantine Camp"?

[vash]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I just finished up ordering them.
My address

They wouldn't accept the dot after the West. It's saved on my computer that way and it's never been a problem before. I don't know why it is now.

They also sent this...."COVID-19 tests will start shipping in late January. USPS will only send one set of #4 free at-home COVID-19 tests to valid residential addresses."

i love you like a friend i never met. i would NOT put my address out there, like that friend.

delete it?