Coronavirus Drive-Through Test Experience
Although I do not have the results, unfortunately I have been hit by a flu bug, or a bad case of allergies. Either way, since the symptoms are nearly the same, we called our local coronavirus testing hotline and spoke with nurses in charge of testing in our area. I told them my symptoms and was surprisingly able to get a test the same day. That’s actually a good thing for our community, as watching the news led me to believe testing would be extremely backed up.
- Symptoms: Flu like symptoms with slight fever and body aches. This was prior to a case in our county. However, symptoms continued and I have kept a nagging dry cough with shortness of breath. Although shortness of breath sounds scary, for me I noticed because I was talking and have to stop to breath. This could be because of my nasal congestion. To be honest, this is usually the time of year I get allergies and make my annual doctor’s appointment for antibiotics for a sinus infection. However, you can’t help but want to be safe now as to not infect others. If you have testing available, and you have symptoms, get a test.
I then received a text regarding making the drive-through process easier by pre-registering. This was as simple as clicking a few buttons on my phone. I skipped the parts regarding insurance, payment, and photo. As the testing is free and that’s what I was told to do.
I pulled up to the testing site and there was a cop there with a yellow siren on his vehicle. He remained in his car. There were 3 workers all with masks that came up from a first tent and asked me to roll down my window. They verified my information and then communicated with the second testing area tent that I was ready. I hear the other tent over the radio, “Let him through.”
I again had to yell out my information because they nurses stood away from the vehicle. Although this felt unusual, it felt much safer (social distancing). And then a nurse in a hazmat suit walks up and explains that she will have to stick a q-tip up both of my nostrils extremely high. She let me know it was going to be uncomfortable. She also handed me some brochure, which I did not like. They could give this information over the phone or through a link. Although I understand why they are giving out this information, I didn’t even want to touch it. I may be testing for the Coronavirus, but I didn’t for sure have it. And I didn’t want something from them in my vehicle.
Either way, the test itself took seconds. The nurse did not touch my vehicle at all. She stuck her arm through the window and got two deep swabs of nasal fluid. Although I have heard on television that it hurt (from our president and vice-president), for me, it did not. Yes the swab goes deep. Yes you can feel it go into an area that feels “sensitive”. However, it takes seconds and it was painless to me. It made my eyes water, but other than that it was nothing.
I was told to how to leave the area and that was it. I rolled up my window and sprayed the brochure they handed me with Lysol.
They let me know I will get my results in 4-7 days.
For those interested, we have a tracker up with embeds of various global | United States | and local statistics.