Have you been / can / should you be tested for COVID-19?

@jbnw

Hi jbnw,

Unemployed for three years.  Can’t afford healthcare.  So could not get tested if I wanted to.  Life sucks.

Welcome to America.

TAT

twice. It was headed for bronchial or pulmonary infection, and although my doc gave me an antibiotic that kicked its ass, I’m feeling vulnerable. Not to mention I’m looking after an elderly friend who is not in good health, and I don’t want to infect her.

Missing one critical choice though, jbnw.

Too fucking depressed to care if I have it, and too fucking scared to go into town and get tested.

In early February I had what felt like a mild respiratory infection – cough, some congestion.  Then on February 20/21 it worsened drastically – body ache, chills (no fever), headache (I never get headaches), more intense coughing and congestion.  This subsided after two days, but the mild cough and congestion persisted for another 2-3 weeks.  Of note was that the mucus I was coughing up/blowing out my nose was really, really dark-colored – much more so than “normal” for respiratory infections.

Not sure if it was COVID-19, but it could have been.  I haven’t been tested and at this point I’m OK with that – others need it more than I.  I’m pretty much self-quaratined (other than immediate family).

expecting to be tested just as an anxiety reliever.   Tests are being reserved for those who are already seriously ill.   Anyone else who has symptoms and thinks they might have COVID-19 needs to wait 4 days at home first, unless they do have serious symptoms like trouble breathing, and then contact their physician.   It’s complete chaos here.   The nearest hospital to me was at 125% capacity as of yesterday.

Our governor (in Kentucky) has said that they don’t have the capacity to do widespread testing here – lacking in test kits, lab capacity, PPE, and even the swabs needed to perform the test.  So currently the testing is only carried out if the person has the symptoms of Covid19 and the outcome of the test would change their potential treatment.  So if you have all the symptoms of the virus but you’re doing well they will probably tell you to rest, drink fluids, and self-quarantine but will not test you.

I’m just sneezing, occasionally, like every year when pollen starts flying.

My preparation, prophylaxis and treatment for the common cold that I get every other year (not sure if I ever had the flu) mostly consists of consuming heavy doses of vitamins:

(I much prefer real lemons, lots of them, and Tequila or sometimes Campari Bitter, which actually does taste pretty good).