PSA: Free Government Covid test site now live

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

FWIW I did see where a workaround listed was to put your apartment number included with the main address line. I don't know if that will work for anyone who previously tried and it failed or not but that tip was listed in a USA today article from today.

Not that I didn't expect a glitch..because yeah it was bound to happen..but I'd rather the site crash than have something crazy with address issues.

 

[JimMIA]

Then why did your family order them?

Our "family" didn't. As I explained above, DW ordered them before I could tell her not to.

That's one of the problems with "FREE stuff." A lot of it goes to waste because people grab it only because it's free.

And the other problem, of course, is that it's not free at all. We, the taxpayers, are paying for it.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Our "family" didn't. As I explained above, DW ordered them before I could tell her not to.

That's one of the problems with "FREE stuff." A lot of it goes to waste because people grab it only because it's free.

And the other problem, of course, is that it's not free at all. We, the taxpayers, are paying for it.

"but they are FREE, so DW ordered them anyway!" was your comment

Your first comment on this thread was to tell people you're retired and can just wait for the PCR tests but they were free so they were ordered

Your second comment on this thread was to tell a poster in what I would consider an unrelated comment that you've never been charged for any tests and they've always been easily available and free

As for the taxpayer bit, as this is more informational thread that really isn't the place to have that discussion nor is nearly boasting that you've no need for these tests but they were ordered anyways. The reality for many is they have had a hard time getting tests in recent months, they are not free generally speaking to them and they have lives to live that a more prompt PCR test is needed than waiting 5,7,10,14 days for the results (as was the case just a few weeks ago and is still having issues now). A rapid test (hopefully the ability to take it more than once if it's a serial test) is at least something to those people in that situation although not a failsafe solution due to limitations with rapid tests.

The rapid test the government is doing won't help people this moment but it should be helpful in most cases to most people in the near future, it's good someone posted a thread to alert others, I had no idea it was launching early, I think my husband stumbled upon it. I also had no idea of the apartment issue which sounds like a crazy nightmare to millions who live in apartments and need/would like to have these tests regardless of them being free or not.

 

[slo]

Thank you for sharing this information. My mom also sent me the info and I ordered our 4 tests

 

[bookgirl]

Of course, but I just hate to see us hog something that someone else probably really needs.

You could always donate them to a local school or shelter, both have been hit hard and might really need them.

 

[JimMIA]

You could always donate them to a local school or shelter, both have been hit hard and might really need them.

They won't actually go to waste, I don't think. My middle DD and SIL are teachers, so they can always use them if we don't.

 

[JimMIA]

"but they are FREE, so DW ordered them anyway!" was your comment

Your first comment on this thread was to tell people you're retired and can just wait for the PCR tests but they were free so they were ordered

Your second comment on this thread was to tell a poster in what I would consider an unrelated comment that you've never been charged for any tests and they've always been easily available and free

As for the taxpayer bit, as this is more informational thread that really isn't the place to have that discussion nor is nearly boasting that you've no need for these tests but they were ordered anyways. The reality for many is they have had a hard time getting tests in recent months, they are not free generally speaking to them and they have lives to live that a more prompt PCR test is needed than waiting 5,7,10,14 days for the results (as was the case just a few weeks ago and is still having issues now). A rapid test (hopefully the ability to take it more than once if it's a serial test) is at least something to those people in that situation although not a failsafe solution due to limitations with rapid tests.

The rapid test the government is doing won't help people this moment but it should be helpful in most cases to most people in the near future, it's good someone posted a thread to alert others, I had no idea it was launching early, I think my husband stumbled upon it. I also had no idea of the apartment issue which sounds like a crazy nightmare to millions who live in apartments and need/would like to have these tests regardless of them being free or not.

Sounds like you're just looking for someone to argue with...again.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Sounds like you're just looking for someone to argue with...again.

Nah, but you do like to boast that's for sure! Enjoy your day Jim, and I concur with another poster the best thing you could do with these tests you don't need would be to donate, what a lovely thing to do for your community

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

You could always donate them to a local school or shelter, both have been hit hard and might really need them.

What a great idea. Our local Children's Mercy just let us know a day ago they are just about out of tests. They now will only do tests for "Patients in the emergency rooms or urgent cares who meet strict testing criteria, and whose results would impact clinical decision-making, will still be offered testing." As well as employees and those who are having procedures done. No more routine "COVID-19 testing in its emergency rooms, urgent cares, clinics or drive-thru locations."

Obviously not a good thing considering these kids are getting sick left and right it seems. Other people do need them that's for sure

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Thanks for the reminder! I just ordered a set, thanks to you!

 

[pookybean]

I saw this post yesterday but I waited as I figured there would be glitches with the launch. Kind of like when Microsoft launches a new version of Windows. No should be the first ones testing it out.

This morning, I'm watching Good Morning America, and there it is on the news crawl across the screen: Many people can't order the free government tests from the site due to an address snag for people living in APARTMENTS at the same address.

Sure enough, I test the site and ONE lucky (first) person used our address already and the REST of the hundred or so of us can't get the test kit as “At-home COVID-19 tests have already been ordered for this address. We are unable to process duplicate orders for the same address." It doesn't matter how or where I input the apartment number. (There IS a separate box to list it.) I'm using the way the USPS wants us to list our address and it doesn't work.

We are being told that with an undertaking this large there will be glitches.

OKAY. But will it be FIXED??? I doubt it. Or maybe, yes, at the END of next year's peak in that Covid variation.

I seriously doubt this will be fixed properly. . . before all the free test kits are gone.

I can try to get some of the free tests my insurance is suppose to reimburse for. But, around here, it's like The Hunger Games trying to get an at home test kit. And to get a PCR test at a lab, the results are currently coming back in about 7 days - when Covid will usually have resolved itself by then.

Im in an apartment and having the same problem. What frustrates me more is that they make it sound like its only a small percentage of the population who are living in non designated apartments ("granny flats" i think i heard it compared to) and that is definitely not the case. I also heard that we apartment dwellers are encouraged to take advantage of free community testing or be reimbursed by our insurance company. sure.

 

[disneychrista]

Looks like these tests are coming just a little too late for our Family. My oldest just tests positive (twice) on a home test. Both very faint positives but positives none the less. She also took a PCR today, so in 5 -6 days we will have confirmation of her positive.

 

[Meriweather]

Mine arrived today.
DD's came a couple of days ago

 

[disneychrista]

Mine arrived today.
DD's came a couple of days ago

Wow. That was fast.

 

[Southernmiss]

Still waiting on ours.

I debated ordering them, but did it because we have 2 of our sons in their 20s home who are working in a hospital and are out and about visiting friends, etc.

One of them needed a test this week, none to be found in the stores.

He did a drive through test, fortunately, negative. But I still wonder if it was a good reading or not. He's improving though so I guess he's ok. We've been social distancing from him in the house lol.

Now the tests can't arrive at my house soon enough LOL

 

[Kitty 34]

Ours haven't arrived yet but our Meijer did have the 3-pack of free N95s for the taking when I took my Mom shopping today. Unfortunately they had wayyy more masks on the big table at the entrance than many food items on the shelves but that's been my experience for months.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Mine arrived today.

Same here.

 

[Donnainnj]

Wondering if there will be any issues with temperature sensitivity with these tests being shipped...

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Wondering if there will be any issues with temperature sensitivity with these tests being shipped...

I was just wondering the same thing considering it's winter in our area. There was even a news article I read yesterday talking about this not related to the government sending kits but just general knowledge. Many people may not realize the box on their test has a temperature range listed.

 

[fla4fun]

Mine arrived yesterday. I was glad to see it was two separate boxes of two tests. I am going to keep one box and give the other to my sister, who works in a hotel and deals with guests a lot. She ordered a set for herself and my BIL, but with spring break on the horizon, she’ll need extra.