With rapid antigen tests in short supply, but every headache suspicious, it’s hard to decide when to use a precious test. | Kerri Sackville | OPINION RAT covid19
I stood at the kitchen counter, staring intently at the sealed plastic bag in my hand. It was a rapid antigen test, one of my last. Was now the time? Was this moment RAT-worthy?
Two weeks earlier, my son had spiked a fever. Our PCRs were MIA so I gave him one of my two hoarded RATs. It was positive, which meant COVID, which meant we needed two more RATs to find out if my daughters and I had been spared.I ordered six RATs online, paid a small fortune for next day shipping, and was still waiting five days later. A generous friend donated two of her own, and my girls and I blessedly tested negative.
I paid my friend’s generosity forward and donated two RATs to an elderly woman unable to source her own.Then there were four. I figured I could buy more at the pharmacy down the road, but they were all sold out! They were all sold out online! They were all sold out everywhere!And then came the call. My partner discovered that he was a close contact, just hours after leaving my home. Suddenly, my throat began to tickle, and my chest felt unusually tight.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
To RAT or not to RAT - the new pandemic dilemmaWith rapid antigen tests in short supply, but every headache suspicious, it’s hard to decide when to use a precious test.
Read more »
ACT records 1,039 new COVID-19 cases as positive RAT results no longer require PCR confirmationThe ACT records 1,309 new COVID-19 cases as positive rapid antigen test results are officially accepted as proof of infection in the territory.
Read more »
Qld’s records 18,000 new cases as new RAT self-reporting system kicks inBREAKING: Queensland has recorded 18,000 new cases of Covid-19 as the state started taking into account positive self-reported rapid antigen test results.
Read more »
Positive RAT results to be registered on Service NSW appPositive rapid antigen tests will be able to be registered on the Service NSW app from the middle of this week as the Perrottet Government announces the procurement of an additional 50 million kits.
Read more »
Think getting a RAT in Australia is hard? Try the USIn the US, rapid test kits and results tracking are in a far more mismanaged state than in Australia. So, what’s everyone complaining about?
Read more »
To RAT or not to RAT - the new pandemic dilemmaWith rapid antigen tests in short supply, but every headache suspicious, it’s hard to decide when to use a precious test.
Read more »