This past week I decided to take the plunge and get both Covid-19 tests – the nasal swab and the blood test for antibodies. I have not experienced any symptoms but was concerned about asymptomatic spread since I have immunocompromised relatives and friends.
The experience was pretty straightforward. The wait was not long and I was ushered into a small room and answered a few basic questions about my health – prescription drugs, tobacco and alcohol use, height, weight and allergies.
The nasal swab test came first and was mercifully brief. The staffer inserted an alarmingly long cotton tipped swab into each of my nostrils. It felt somewhat like I had inhaled a big gout of water up my nose. It was pretty uncomfortable – a little higher up she could have reached my frontal lobe – but mercifully it was only a few seconds of discomfort.
Compared to that, the blood test of antibodies was a snap. The whole process took less than ten minutes. Now all I have to do is wait for the results. Fingers crossed.
How about you? Have you taken the test? Would you? Let us know in the comments!
Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor. She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers; her blog “Don’t Get Me Started” puts a quirky new spin on Old School New York City each week. Send your suggestions for Open Threads to her at editor@seniorplanet.org.