Let’s blog a milestone. A Corona milestone.
Got your pilot’s license? Blog it. Got married? Blog it.
Listened to a Beatles record for the first time in your life and got a revelation? Blog it. (I’ll probably be doing that soon, by the way 😉 )
Got your first Corona test? …Why not?
It’s a milestone, man.
My Corona Test
On October 22, 2020, I got my first test for COVID-19.
In spite of the pandemic first hitting the US this past February/March, I was never too worried about exposure.
I avoid people anyway. I avoid them…ahem, like the plague. 😀
Us bloggers and content creators don’t like being around people to begin with. Trust me, this pandemic has been heaven on Earth for us.
Fear of Exposure
Anyway, a couple days ago at my work, a client was taken to the hospital after feeling ill.
This person’s symptoms strongly resembled COVID-19 (runny nose, fever, lethargy, etc. However, they didn’t display any breathing difficulties: i.e. a hallmark of Coronavirus).
Here’s the kicker: I was with this person for 10 hours.
Yes, I had PPE on (mask and gloves, as was the job requirement, but viruses are sneaky, slippery, microscopic things).
At the time of this writing, my work has informed me that the client has not tested positive for Corona, though is still in the hospital receiving care (patient confidentiality prevents me from knowing why).
Maybe they have Corona, maybe they don’t. It never hurts to take precautions. In my case, I don’t have much of a choice anyway.
One of my housemates has respiratory limitations, and if something were to happen to them because of my recklessness, well…that’s going to be on my conscious for a LONG time.
Self-Quarantine
I’ve been in self-imposed quarantine in my own room for three days now. Whenever I venture out of my room, in the house or out, I have my mask and gloves on (both items are cheap and easy to get at your local department store like Walmart).
I’ve yet to feel any symptoms, though it’s been reported that COVID-19 can stay in your system for two weeks before symptoms show up.
Rather than wait for these symptoms to come and confirm my exposure, I decided it was best to get tested and see where I’m at. Better safe than sorry.
Appointment for Test
This morning, I made an appointment at my local CVS for 10:20 AM. I was able to reserve it only an hour in advance.
Drive-Thru
I was required to do the test via drive-thru, as per store policy (different places may do it differently).
Man, we’re really making the most of drive-thrus nowadays, huh? At first, we did drive-thrus exclusively for movie theaters and fast food.
Now, we’re doing it for nasal swabs and virus tests! We’re fond of convenience a wee-bit too much.
So I got to CVS around 10:15 AM. The car in front of me was waiting for their prescription, forcing me to wait until past 10:20, i.e. my original appointment time.
When I drove up to the window, they asked me for my name and confirmation code. The code was a 7-digit number that was emailed to me, and retrieved via my phone.
Paying for the Test
Someone will pay for the test, regardless if you’re uninsured. The government has been taking steps to clamp down on the virus and prevent its spread.
Testing can’t be fully optimized if people are afraid of paying for said test, right? They’d much rather have your insurer cover the cost, but the government will pay for it if need be.
Processing
So, I was waiting at the window while the pharmacy techs were preparing the necessary documentation and paperwork.
They asked me to confirm my name and date of birth, as a security measure. Finally, they slipped a plastic testing packet through the window and guided me step-by-step.
Starting the Test
In the packet was paperwork with my name and contact info (for the lab technicians to reach me). There was also a 6-inch long cotton swab and vial.
I was to stick the swab up both of my nostrils, right below the eyes, to get the necessary mucus sample.🤧
Let me tell you, this was one of the most uncomfortable things I ever had to sit through, right next to injesting cherry-flavored cold medicine.😖
Hey, I’m probably speaking from a place of privilege here! I’m in my twenties. What do I know about discomfort?
Preserving the Sample
Anyway, the technician had me break off the stick part of the swab, and place the swab (with the mucus sample) inside the vial and screw it tight.
I then had to seal the packet and place it inside the sample bin next to the window. There was a flap that I had to open. Beneath the flap was a slot to slide the sample packet into.
As a courtesy, they ask you to use a provided sanitary wipe and clean the bin lid. This is to eliminate traces of the virus that you may or may not have.
Test Done
After that, I was done. They said they’ll have my results within the next few days. In the meantime, I’ll have to take my PPE seriously within the house and without.
The process for getting a COVID-19 test is very simple and straightforward. The only hair in the soup is sticking the swab up both of your frickin’ nostrils. Oh, boy. 😅
After the first swab, I actually sneezed. When the test was done, my eyes were actually watering for a few minutes. All in all, it wasn’t the dreadful experience that a part of me was afraid of.
Get Tested. Don’t Wait.
If you think you’ve been exposed, don’t wait. Get tested. It’s quick and simple. You owe it to yourself to make sure. I hope this was useful and informative. Thanks for reading!
UPDATE (A Week Later):
My Corona test came back negative.
Corey Toomey 
Thanks for the details, Corey. My daughter had a test recently (negative) and she said it was horrible and made her eyes water for an hour!
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