News @lemmy.world girlfreddy @lemmy.ca 2 mo. ago

Americans can order free COVID-19 tests beginning this month

apnews.com Americans can order free COVID-19 tests beginning this month

Americans will be able to order up to four COVID-19 nasal swab tests delivered to their home free of charge starting later this month. The U.S.

Starting this month, Americans will be able to order free COVID-19 test kits that will be mailed to their homes.

U.S. households will be able to order as many as four nasal swab tests at COVIDTests.gov when the federal program reopens. The U.S. Health and Human Services agency overseeing the program has not yet given an exact date when ordering can begin.

An agency spokesperson has said the tests will detect current virus strains and can be ordered ahead of the holiday season, when families and friends gather for celebrations.

28 comments

The U.S. Health and Human Services agency overseeing the program has not yet given an exact date when ordering can begin.

Well that's annoying.
- “End of the month”
  
  So probably next week.
  
  That's the problem. It's a probably. Because it could very well be next month instead.
- i hate finding out about shit before it's ready/released. I'll forget about it by the time it is.
They need to make vaccines free, too.
- It basically is. If you have insurance, it almost certainly covers it (an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure, after all). If you don't have insurance or it doesn't cover it, there are multiple state and federal programs to cover it.
  
  https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-care-uninsured-individuals/index.html
  
  Up to $210 if uninsured.
  
  Last time I went I wasn’t even asked my insurance. Safeway just covered it.
  
  Thanks, I'll have to make arrangements. It's a bit of a ride but paying one is certainly less expensive than out of pocket cost.
...How are they able to continue providing these but not maintain the Bridge Access Program for the uninsured? 🤨
- Because this is America, and if you don't pay to play, fuck you.
I dunno about other places, but maybe a little late for my city. So many people been hit with it since beginning of August
- Good news! You van get covid more than once, so these tests can still come in handy!
- Most people I know have them stockpiled from the last few rounds of free distributions.
  
  Might want to remind them they do expire (and won't test positive even when the virus is present)...
My daughter did one of these quads at the hospital a few days ago. Pretty impressive.

https://touchaustralia.com.au/pages/rsv-flu-covid-rapid-antigen
Does current include the most recent strains LB1 and FLiRT? Hopefully they're close enough to trigger detection without changes. I guess wearing a mask is too much to ask for, or to not expect funny looks.
- Depends on where you are. I had to mask recently and nobody batted an eye.
  
  I couldn't care less if anybody stares at me. I will wear a mask if I deem it necessary ... and if any asshole wants to challenge me on that, they will find that this old broad has zero patience with idjits.

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