....program funding has not been renewed....ending Sep. 2nd....if you haven't gotten the last round of 8 free tests....


US government to end free at-home Covid test program this week

....The federal government is ending its free at-home Covid-19 test program this week, citing a lack of funding and efforts to preserve supply ahead of an anticipated fall surge in cases, a White House official told CNN on Sunday.

Both the White House and the website where people can claim their tests blamed Congress for failing to provide additional funding for the program, which provided up to 16 free tests per household since the beginning of the year.

"Ordering through this program will be suspended on Friday, September 2 because Congress hasn't provided additional funding to replenish the nation's stockpile of tests," the Covid.gov website reads.

The administration launched the initiative, which shipped rapid tests to Americans via the United States Postal Service, in January amidst a wave in Omicron variant cases and limited testing availability. However, officials have warned for months that, absent additional funding from Congress, the administration would be forced to roll back its Covid-19 response efforts.

"We have warned that Congressional inaction would force unacceptable tradeoffs and harm our overall COVID-19 preparedness and response—and that the consequences would likely worsen over time," the White House official told CNN. "Unfortunately, because of the limited funding we have to work with, we have had to make impossible choices about which tools and programs to invest in—and which ones we must downsize, pause, or end all together."

Still, the official said the administration would "expeditiously resume distribution of free tests through COVIDTests.gov" if and when Congress allocates additional funding, but until then, we believe reserving the remaining tests for distribution later this year is the best course."


ending..........get them while you can.......?!

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I reject your reality and substitute my own!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/2022 10:09PM by NewtonMP2100.

Just ordered mine a few days ago. Third round for me. And used them all, given our bout with COVID and testing others around us who did not have rapid tests.

Not sure they're of much value at this point. They don't seem to be very accurate against the latest variants.

Last I checked, CDC was recommending repeat testing 24 and 48hrs later for the rapid antigen tests.

I've had friends test negative over and over again over several days with the rapid tests before getting a positive result from a PCR test.

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Tiangou
Not sure they're of much value at this point. They don't seem to be very accurate against the latest variants.

Antigen tests were accurate for our bout of COVID in June, and worked as expected for an antigen test.

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Tiangou
Last I checked, CDC was recommending repeat testing 24 and 48hrs later for the rapid antigen tests.

It's always been this way. Antigen tests aren't very good at detecting small amounts of the virus and really only work once you have symptons.

In our case, my wife had a faint positive test one morning. Mine was still negative. Got PCR tests in the afternoon that came back positive. Symptoms started that evening. The following morning both antigen tests came back positive.

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Tiangou
I've had friends test negative over and over again over several days with the rapid tests before getting a positive result from a PCR test.

Were they symptomatic or asymptotic? Although there has been a mention here of symptomatic people still testing negative on antigen. But antigen tests are cheap, and are a tool to be used, if used with proper understanding. If you're symptomatic, you really should either assume you have COVID and stay home, or go get a PCR test if you need to be sure.

The at home "PCR like" (LAMP) tests are still $75/test vs $10 for an antigen test.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/29/2022 09:35AM by Gareth.

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Gareth
Were they symptomatic or asymptotic? Although there has been a mention here of symptomatic people still testing negative on antigen. But antigen tests are cheap, and are a tool to be used, if used with proper understanding. If you're symptomatic, you really should either assume you have COVID and stay home, or go get a PCR test if you need to be sure.

The at home "PCR like" (LAMP) tests are still $75/test vs $10 for an antigen test.

1. PCR tests are not so easily arranged in this region. Physicians don't do emergency-appointments for PCR tests, so you're stuck with making an ordinary appointment which may be weeks out if you try that route. Pharmacies don't always have slots open, and even with insurance, doing one at a walk-in clinic can cost nearly $400 out of pocket.

2. Somewhat symptomatic... But how do you tell the difference between cold/allergies and BA.5?

Take a week off work for what may be mild seasonal allergies? Are you familiar with the American capitalist economy?

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Tiangou
Not sure they're of much value at this point. They don't seem to be very accurate against the latest variants.

Last I checked, CDC was recommending repeat testing 24 and 48hrs later for the rapid antigen tests.

I've had friends test negative over and over again over several days with the rapid tests before getting a positive result from a PCR test.

Rapid tests are pretty inaccurate unless you have significant symptoms. The best use of rapid tests is for determining whether or not one is contagious. The PCR tests are too sensitive for determining whether or not one is contagious.

Ughhh... just in time for back-to-school.

FWIW, the local schools in my area are all reporting a significant number of student cases. (That is, when they DO report... a lot of schools are keeping the actual numbers under wraps.) That's what happens when people get complacent and stop wearing masks, etc. Especially in close quarters like dorms and classrooms and such, it will spread very quickly...

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Freya says, 'Hello from NOLA, baby!' (Laissez bon temps rouler!)

The university where my wife taught d/c their COVID45 dashboard. She wrote asking why and they replied that, yes, it was discontinued - duh.

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PeterB
Ughhh... just in time for back-to-school.

FWIW, the local schools in my area are all reporting a significant number of student cases. (That is, when they DO report... a lot of schools are keeping the actual numbers under wraps.) That's what happens when people get complacent and stop wearing masks, etc. Especially in close quarters like dorms and classrooms and such, it will spread very quickly...

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.

Ug, I didn't even think about the coming fall covid outbreak. At least both my boys are vaccinated this time around. I wonder how long it will be before another round of injections.

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Ordered... just in case.

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It is what it is.

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N-OS X-tasy!
Ordered... just in case.

Me, too.
I have some left from last round, but I like being able to test at home if I have some sort of symptoms.
At least it gives me an idea if I am contagious

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Roswell, GA (Atlanta suburb)

I ordered as well -- I discovered that I could use a secondary address, for which I'd never ordered ANY tests, to order all three sets. Since they have no idea if they'll be getting the funding to resupply, this seems wise.

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Freya says, 'Hello from NOLA, baby!' (Laissez bon temps rouler!)

Thanks for the reminder. I reordered.

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Quote
PeterB
I ordered as well -- I discovered that I could use a secondary address, for which I'd never ordered ANY tests, to order all three sets. Since they have no idea if they'll be getting the funding to resupply, this seems wise.

PO Boxes work as well, for anyone that has one in addition to a street address.