Covid testing updates

 Yesterday I ordered 4 Antigen tests from the federal government for free.  I have spent a couple hundred dollars on tests so far, so this is welcome.

Then this morning we received this from Ken's company:

FYI…

Coverage for Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests Under Your Siemens Benefits
 
Starting Jan. 15, 2022 and continuing for the duration of the public health emergency period, the cost of at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 tests will be covered for those enrolled in a Siemens medical plan. Each covered member may purchase up to eight (8) U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved or emergency use authorized at-home over-the counter COVID-19 tests per month with no member cost share. Home testing kits should be used for diagnostic purposes only. The tests are intended for personal use only to confirm if current symptoms are COVID-related (e.g. diagnostic purposes) by members covered under the Siemens health care plan. If testing is required for business-related purposes, discuss testing options with your manager.

Tests may be purchased at participating pharmacies with no out-of-pocket expense, or you may pay out-of-pocket to purchase tests and submit a claim form for reimbursement.
 
If you purchase and pay out-of-pocket for a test, be sure to save your itemized receipts so you can submit them to your carrier for reimbursement. Watch for additional details in the Benefits newsletter and on the COVID-19 page of Benefits QuickStart in the next couple of weeks.

In addition to the coverage provided under Siemens benefits, you can also request one set of four free at-home testing kits per household through the United States Postal Service (USPS) at this link to be shipped in late January. You do not need to be enrolled in Siemens medical plan to request tests via USPS.

Of course we won't forget that a negative test just means get a PCR if you have symptoms....which is a bit crazy.  If you get a negative antigen tests you think, "that was a waste of $15, now I need a different test".....NOT REALLY!  If you get a negative antigen test and don't have a known exposure or symptoms it can put your mind at ease.  (Although really the Siemens tests aren't to be used for this purpose!)

It just bothers me that I know 6 people who had Covid this week and 3 had negative antigen tests....sigh!

It might be that we just take the Antigen test too soon.  (although 2 of the 3 false negatives had terrible Covid symptoms when they took their antigen test)  When Carolyn still didn't have her PCR test results on Monday she took another fast test and it was positive....which blows my mind since she hadn't had a symptom in 5 days!  

Ken just had a stuffy nose and a bit of a headache....no fever/sore throat/coughing and his rapid test turned color in 5 minutes.  (they say you should check at 10 minutes...but his was fast!!)  Joel's was the same, but he did at least have a traditional "sore throat" that you hear about with Covid. 

It just makes me crazy that everything you knew about diseases and how to handle them went out the window this month.  (maybe March 2020 really!)