Renee’s Tale of Two COVID-19 Tests
Over the last year and for different reasons I have had a couple of COVID-19 tests. Happily, I can tell you each test has been negative.
In my humble opinion, there are two different versions of the test. I say they are different because in one case a nurse sticks the swap up your nose and in the second you do it yourself.
I will be the first to tell you I have avoided the do-it-yourself test at all costs. Until last weekend…I needed a test, the timing worked out, the cost was reasonable BUT I HAD TO DO IT MYSELF! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? NOOOOO! I put on my big girl panties and faced this head-on.
Turns out the do-it-yourself COVID-19 is easier than I thought and in the future, I will never shy away from this option. Maybe it was easier than I expected since I have had the test before so I knew what it should feel like. I just stuck the swap up my nose hole until I felt it stop, then angle it back a bit so it goes into the sinus chamber, twirl it around for ten seconds, and then it gets done on the other side.
Then it is done…expect for the waiting for the results of the test.
There was also another difference I have noticed. Cost. The version where a nurse did the swab cost me $100. The swab myself version was $25 and it was a rapid test. It would have been free if I have gone for the 72-hour test.
So fear not, as we move forward I am sure the COVID test will be with us in some version for a while so I am glad I faced this fear on the nasal swab hangup.
LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions
While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.