There is free Covid testing available. I've been reasonably careful. I have no symptoms. I have no reason to believe I've been exposed.

Should I bother testing? Is it useful statistical information to help determine spread or is it unnecessarily using up a resource?

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"Success isn't about how much money you make. It is about the difference you make in people's lives."--Michelle Obama

Random testing is good. What I’d ask is what’s the turnaround time. If short, go for it. If 5 or more days then I’d hold off.

I'm doing it soon, as is the rest of the family and hoping to convince my bro and parents to do the same. It's been free around here for a while, I probably should have done it earlier but I also want to wait just prior to school (if there is any).

I would if I could.. more REAL data the better. We still strongly suspect we've had it.

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cbelt3
I would if I could.. more REAL data the better. We still strongly suspect we've had it.

The PCR test will only tell you if you presently have it.

The antibody-test is not at all accurate in the U.S. and it's probably a complete waste of time and resources if the test is provided a couple of months after an infection.

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Sarcany

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cbelt3
I would if I could.. more REAL data the better. We still strongly suspect we've had it.

The PCR test will only tell you if you presently have it.

The antibody-test is not at all accurate in the U.S. and it's probably a complete waste of time and resources if the test is provided a couple of months after an infection.

I have a neighbor who works with lab rats (literally, although more recently it's been frogs I think) who was quite sick a few weeks into quarantine. When finally offered a antibody test a couple months later, a couple of the coworkers came up positive but this neighbor showed negative.

I've no reason to think I've been infected although I'm convinced if I were I would be a super spreader. I've no reason to take a PCR/active infection test right now, and doubt an antibody test would turn up anything accurately, but if someone were offering me free monthly antibody tests I'd take them. Free PCR tests, I'd wait until the next time I had something resembling symptoms.

Under the circumstances (no exposure, no symptoms) I don't see a reason to get tested.

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Its not useful info unless its being done in a similar fashion across the population.

Not really worthwhile.

BUT

you could donate blood and they may check the blood for antibodies. I'm not sure if they're still doing that but its the extent of my testing.

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Pam
Random testing is good. What I’d ask is what’s the turnaround time. If short, go for it. If 5 or more days then I’d hold off.

It's a county site and they're says 48-72 hours.

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"Success isn't about how much money you make. It is about the difference you make in people's lives."--Michelle Obama

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graylocks

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Pam
Random testing is good. What I’d ask is what’s the turnaround time. If short, go for it. If 5 or more days then I’d hold off.

It's a county site and they're says 48-72 hours.

My husband is having surgery Thursday so he had the test yesterday
Be advised from him, it is not a pleasant experience. If you don’t need to, I wouldn’t.

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Roswell, GA (Atlanta suburb)

I wouldn’t, without symptoms.

Seems somewhat akin to asking the FBI if they have a file on you… Beware what you want to know.

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Graylocks
is it unnecessarily using up a resource

There is still limited kit availability and testing capacity. If you have no suspected exposure, no symptoms, no major underlying health issues or close contact with someone who is especially at risk, then you may be taking a test away from someone else who does. If your rationale is simply idle curiosity, then you could ask your physician about getting an antigen test, which can potentially be performed at home.

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Sarcany
The PCR test will only tell you if you presently have it.

Nucleic tests sample protein fragments, which are strongly indicative of current or recent infection, but COVID PCR may still be positive for some time after resolution.

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Le poète doit vivre beaucoup, vivre dans tous les sens. - Verlaine

No. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

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