The high cost of rapid #COVID tests in the U.S. forces bad choices even on people who would like to be #COVIDcautious.
Because I stockpiled eight tests per person per month for the entire period when they were covered by insurance, and also thanks to my wife's awesome job that keeps her well-supplied with tests, we have as many as we need.
1/?
For example, I can afford to test every day while I'm visiting my parents to protect them (in case I caught it on the trip down), and for several days after I get home to protect my wife and kids (in case I catch it while I'm here or on the trip home).
Most people can't be nearly that profligate with their testing. It's a huge problem.
2/?
We had lunch recently with friends of ours who absolutely know the science, and apparently my wife neglected to communicate with them that I only dine unmasked with people who have tested negative in the past 24 hours, and they got kind of mad when I asked them to test.
It turned out it was because they were frustrated that I was asking them to use their last three tests.
We solved that by offering to replace them. We gave them six tests to replace the three they used, because why not.
3/?
Our friends can't afford to spend $10 a pop for COVID tests when the odds are that they don't have it. But they'd undoubtedly be viewing those odds differently if the tests were significantly cheaper.
One of the people involved is a teacher in a community full of people who don't mask and many of whom are anti-vaxx, so arguably they should be testing every 1-2 days, but they certainly can't afford that.
This is yet another failure of public health related to the pandemic.
4/4
@jik In #Utah, the state health department will provide up to 12 free Covid home tests per month "for those who face financial barriers to accessing test kits or testing services on their own. Home test kits will only be mailed to Utah addresses." No documentation of financial status is required. https://coronavirus.utah.gov/utah-covid-19-testing-locations/
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