By Paul Goldfinger, MD, Blogfinger.net
You may have seen news reports of lines of cars waiting for nasal swab COVID tests around the country. The pace of testing is picking up for a variety of reasons, but especially because of increased demand by individuals who either have no symptoms or just mild symptoms.
If someone has severe symptoms like shortness of breath, they will go to a hospital where they will be admitted.
But everyone knows how the pandemic is burgeoning again, and people are worried. So if their college student plans to come home for the holidays, inadvisable as it is, he will have to be tested before he leaves, even if he feels fine. Also, testing is now acceptable for those who are without symptoms because about half of infected individuals have no symptoms yet they are likely to be infectious.
You may have seen signs offering “free” COVID tests, but be careful because some have gone for a “free” test only to receive a bill, sometimes for a lot of dough.
They will tell you that the test is free, but you may be charged a “facility fee” or a “physician fee” if a doctor speaks to you or even examines you as a required part of testing. One report came in from out of state where citizens were tested but later were balance billed over $1,000.00.
Avoid this by going to public testing sites and/or by asking a private provider in advance about possible surprise fees.
Neptune township sent out an announcement today—see below. You can be sure that the Nov. 25 site will be swamped. They don’t tell us how long it will take for a result. It’s usually 1-3 days. And, can Neptune citizens show up at the two other locations or visa versa?
Editor’s note: This announcement is confusing. They act as if anybody should show up, but the guidelines aren’t there yet. They say “simply walk up ” for the test, but that First Aid site will be insufficient for the crowds that may appear.
There are only 24 parking spaces at that location, and you can’t line up in your car on Neptune Boulevard without a police presence and a potential traffic jam.
And if they are serious about “You do not have to be symptomatic” then every hypochondriac in the county will be there, and it could be chaotic. So, if they are serious, then the site should be a place where cars can easily form lines and where the testing could be done in the car.
There have to be some guidelines as to who should show up.
—Paul Goldfinger, MD
This is from the State of NJ. No mention of testing:
“When hosting activities, do so with people only from your local area as much as possible. Activities with attendees traveling from different locations increase the risk of infection and spread, especially if they are coming from or traveling to a location with higher levels of COVID-19 cases and community spread.”
Here is a NJ page about testing: