So I got a COVID-19 test

I’ve been under the weather for a few days, and decided that I should take a COVID-19 test just to be sure I’m healthy for the holidays.

Just to be clear: I’m not on my death bed. I just have that malaise feeling you get when you’re sick and a headache that comes and goes. However, since some people have no symptoms and still test positive, I wanted to be on the safe side and get tested.

I found a place that did walk-in tests and headed over. I heard that it hurts, and I was a little nervous while waiting for my name to be called. After an hour or so, they took me back to get me tested.

Another thing—I chose the testing site specifically because they offered rapid tests. If my test came back positive, I thought I’d be able to go to work the next day. I really didn’t want to miss work this week; I already missed work once because I was a bit sick and didn’t want to do that again. Once I was in the back with the PA, I requested a rapid test, but he informed me that they were out. “The rapid tests go really fast once we get them, so we’re out,” he said.

I decided the lab test was fine—especially since I’d already waited—though I was disappointed that I’d have to miss work for at least a few days. We’re only working three days this week, and I feel so guilty staying home, even though I know it’s the right thing. I only have mild symptoms, but I would hate to go to work only to find out I was actually positive.

The form I signed states that lab tests typically come back in 3-5 days, but the PA said they’ve been coming back in about two. My hope is that my results come back tomorrow and are negative so I can return to work on Wednesday, finish up my end-of-year business, and then go last minute Christmas shopping. Crossing my fingers!