Putting it all to the test
11am on Wednesday, a few minutes under 72 hours prior to my departure time to Costa Rica rolls around and its show time for my home test kit. I had tried to activate it ahead of this, so I was ready, but it did not allow me to until I was within my valid window. Apparently “activating’ means taking it. After a few basic questions to complete my personal profile, I was ready to roll. I had all the contents laid out in front of me. The app walks you through each step which you acknowledge as you complete each one. Alternatively, you can follow the printed instructions on a small poster-sized instruction leaflet included with the kit, which in my opinion was a little more detailed. I did both simultaneously. The sample was a self-administered “lower nasal-swab”, easy, quick, and painless although I did make my eyes water because I wanted to make sure I provided a good sample! When you first open the kit it has a number of contents including labels, a couple of envelopes etc as well as the testing components themselves that give the appearance that it’s a complex process, but as you go through the motions, it is actually straight forward and virtually self-explanatory. That being said, I took my time and went over each step carefully to ensure I didn’t miss anything.
The included overnight shipping envelope provided includes UPS pick-up service and the first instruction even before the activation/testing window is to schedule a pick-up with UPS. However, I did not want to chance it riding around in a truck all day and losing precious hours. I had established via email ahead of time with “LetsGetChecked” that I could take my package to a UPS shipping center myself and they confirmed that I could. The pick-up is a great option as I envision people being able to complete the test virtually anywhere, such as the office, without missing a beat should their test window begin during working hours. As I had the luxury of being able to take it myself to UPS, I did so and 71 hours prior to my flight time, it was in their hands. There was a small moment of panic at the counter as the customer service agent questioned the ability to accept the package. The envelope is marked biohazard as well as critical, but a quick check in the computer solved the issue in question.
After some errands, it was time for my appointment at the local Urgent Care Center, the single place within a 50-mile radius of me that administered tests without a doctor order or symptoms. My appointment was scheduled 69 hours prior to my flight time. As instructed, I called the office from my car upon arrival. Within 5 minutes, a medical professional came out to the car and took our temperatures and blood pressure and then administered a nasal test. This test was also fast, unobtrusive, and painless and certainly not the stick jammed all the way up your sinus the way as I believe original tests were conducted. This was all done through the car window and within a few minutes we were done and on our way. Again, we were told 2-6 days for results and they would call is when they had them. What added to my nerves on this one was that this facility keeps Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm hours and while they were willing to fax or email our results once they had spoken to us, there was no online after-hour option as some pharmacies are now offering. This took us down to a very small window to get our results and I left leaving that perhaps the mail-in option would likely be my only hope. Still, there was nothing left to do now except hurry up and wait….
