Covid-19 Testing. Still Complicated.

Following my person-first approach to health, let’s start with people’s circumstances and life flow, put testing into a context of managing the risk of COVID-19. Then let’s tackle what testing even means, what to expect from testing, and then circle back to the person — how do the results impact our circumstances and life flow?

Proem

People are stressed, tired of the pandemic, more focused on vaccines, fewer people are getting tested. Almost a year later we’re hearing the same questions about COVID-19 testing. We heard:

• Who needs a Covid-19 test?
• Which test should I get?
• What do the results mean?
• What if I have a positive test?
• Do I need to stay home after I have a test?
• Who will do what with my test result?

Although I spend many hours every week learning about COVID-19 and its personal and societal impact, I can’t say I know that much about testing. I’m not a scientist, a virologist, an epidemiologist. Although, I am a pretty smart, curious person with my ear to the ground, I’m nervous about tackling the topic of testing. It feels no less complicated than ever. Still, here goes.