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submitted 1 month ago by girlfreddy@lemmy.ca to c/news@lemmy.world

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.

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[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 60 points 1 month ago

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.

[-] Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world 21 points 1 month ago

“End of the month”

So probably next week.

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 9 points 1 month ago

That's the problem. It's a probably. Because it could very well be next month instead.

[-] aramis87@fedia.io 6 points 1 month ago

Well, is not like covid is going away.

[-] FartsWithAnAccent@fedia.io 3 points 1 month ago

I was told it would. Surely it will be gone any day now!

[-] USSMojave@startrek.website 2 points 1 month ago

Well the actual site you order them on says "late September 2024"

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago
[-] USSMojave@startrek.website 2 points 1 month ago
[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

I saw, thank you. Already ordered!

[-] Mac@mander.xyz 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

i hate finding out about shit before it's ready/released. I'll forget about it by the time it is.

[-] Maeve@kbin.earth 32 points 1 month ago

They need to make vaccines free, too.

[-] catloaf@lemm.ee 12 points 1 month ago

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

[-] skuzz@discuss.tchncs.de 8 points 1 month ago

Up to $210 if uninsured.

[-] flames5123@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago

Last time I went I wasn’t even asked my insurance. Safeway just covered it.

[-] Maeve@kbin.earth 3 points 1 month ago

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.

[-] ALostInquirer@lemm.ee 16 points 1 month ago

...How are they able to continue providing these but not maintain the Bridge Access Program for the uninsured? 🤨

[-] bobs_monkey@lemm.ee 13 points 1 month ago

Because this is America, and if you don't pay to play, fuck you.

[-] BossDj@lemm.ee 11 points 1 month ago

I dunno about other places, but maybe a little late for my city. So many people been hit with it since beginning of August

[-] shasta@lemm.ee 8 points 1 month ago

Good news! You van get covid more than once, so these tests can still come in handy!

[-] Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 month ago

Most people I know have them stockpiled from the last few rounds of free distributions.

[-] Taser@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 1 month ago

Might want to remind them they do expire (and won't test positive even when the virus is present)...

[-] shasta@lemm.ee 6 points 1 month ago

And old tests may not detect new strains

[-] Reverendender@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 month ago

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

[-] Rhaedas@fedia.io 2 points 1 month ago

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.

[-] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

Depends on where you are. I had to mask recently and nobody batted an eye.

[-] girlfreddy@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 month ago

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.

[-] Maggoty@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

Nor should you. We're long past any debate about masking.

this post was submitted on 22 Sep 2024
343 points (98.6% liked)

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