I used 8 tests trying to find out when I was no longer contagious after getting COVID (mild case, and symptoms were gone about a week before testing negative).
At $10 per test, people are not likely to stockpile enough of them, since they do eventually go bad (I gave some tests near their extended expiration date to someone who had COVID, but they found that some (not all) did not give a C line).
So no surprise that people mostly are not testing when they get any COVID / flu / RSV / cold like symptoms, and (even if they know that they have COVID) are not testing to check when they are or are not still contagious.
I’m trying to figure out how many tests we need for our Europe trip (starting late Sept). We have 9 tests, which seems not enough for the two of us. But we are going to need a stash for the winter anyway, so I should bit the bullet and buy more. They do take up some space in luggage (plus some masks) but need to do it.
Our employers still have tests in break rooms available to folks who need them. Agree, at $10 a test not many will be testing when they get sick. I think our insurance plans cover a certain number of tests per month, so maybe check with your insurance if they have a similar deal.
Rather than stocking up on more here, could you see about buying them in pharmacies in Europe when you arrive? They might be cheaper, and you wouldn’t have to take up room in your luggage.
The last time that I flew masks were still required. I was thinking “I have had COVID, gotten over it, and had 5 COVID vaccination shots, this mask is not needed”. However, while I was in the airport a very cute little girl came over to look at me. It looked like she was barely old enough to walk, and was attracted by my large beard. After a few minutes I said “you should go back and see your parents” so she did. Two or three days before we had attended a large event that might have sarcastically been referred to as a “massive COVID sharing party”. Two days later (after the flight) we all came down with something that for us was very mild (but we were all fully vaccinated). It occurred to me, I did not wear the mask to protect me. I wore the mask to protect that little kid (who was too young to be vaccinated at the time).
I will probably still wear a mask when flying. However, I am not intending to wear a mask when attending a wedding.
Exactly! We wear a mask to protect ourselves AND each other. That lesson was never fully communicated during Covid 1. In contrast, I knew very conservative, religious people who refused to mask because it took away their freedom (and they didn’t “like” wearing a mask). I continue to question how that attitude meshes with their beliefs.
Sorry… don’t want to get back into the mask vs. no mask arguments. It was just refreshing to read @DadTwoGirls assessment!
When D was visiting, I gave her a box of 4 covid tests to take back when she left, so she could use as needed. We still have a lot of tests and the box of 4 tests don’t expire until Nov and are nice and compact.
Costco has a box of 5 tests at a pretty good price in the pharmacy—$35 and sometimes in sale for $25, so $7 or $5/test. They are all packaged in compact box together. Walgreens used to be selling individual tests @$10 apiece.
I had read about the combo flu/covid tests but have never seen any in US yet (tho I know D was tested for both when she went to urgent care and was found to not have either).
Most people I know got a lot of tests when insurers and Medicare were reimbursing for them and still have tests. I do think many aren’t testing and people ARE flying with covid and going about, often with no masks.
Using that site, I don’t see any place within 25 miles of Silicon Valley that shows no testing available within 100 miles.
Now, if you go as far south as Soledad or as far north at Mendocino, you will find testing-sparse areas, but even they have testing locations within 100 miles.
However, the test availability situation in the US is still poor overall – at-home tests are expensive (25 tests in Europe cost about as much as 2-4 tests in the US), and having to go to some place for a free test adds the cost of going there and the potential of exposing others while doing so.
Perhaps those visiting Europe who want to stockpile tests may want to buy bulk packs there and bring them back.
The cheapest tests here are at Costco—5 tests for $25-35, depending on whether they have a sale. That’s $5-7 apiece. I just try to mask as much as I can to protect myself and others.