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| My Coronavirus Test: 5 Days, a Dozen Calls, Hours of Confusion | My Coronavirus Test: 5 Days, a Dozen Calls, Hours of Confusion |
| (1 day later) | |
| Almost a dozen calls with five health care providers over five hours. Two hours of hold music. Two hours in a hospital. Four days of anxiously checking an online portal for results. And lots of confusion. | Almost a dozen calls with five health care providers over five hours. Two hours of hold music. Two hours in a hospital. Four days of anxiously checking an online portal for results. And lots of confusion. |
| That’s the winding path through bureaucracy that took me from placing my first phone call last Wednesday to getting my positive coronavirus test results on Monday night. Five days in limbo. | That’s the winding path through bureaucracy that took me from placing my first phone call last Wednesday to getting my positive coronavirus test results on Monday night. Five days in limbo. |
| I’m 33 years old and healthy without any existing respiratory conditions, so the illness itself is perfectly manageable. It feels like a medium-grade flu, with some extra coughing and chest pain. | I’m 33 years old and healthy without any existing respiratory conditions, so the illness itself is perfectly manageable. It feels like a medium-grade flu, with some extra coughing and chest pain. |
| But the process to get me here was a maze of inefficiency, and I’m one of the fortunate ones. | But the process to get me here was a maze of inefficiency, and I’m one of the fortunate ones. |
| Enormous numbers of people across the country — even those who have severe symptoms or who are especially vulnerable — are facing roadblock after roadblock as they try to get answers. | Enormous numbers of people across the country — even those who have severe symptoms or who are especially vulnerable — are facing roadblock after roadblock as they try to get answers. |
| On Wednesday, I woke up with a cough and the chills. The first thing I did was Google my symptoms. | On Wednesday, I woke up with a cough and the chills. The first thing I did was Google my symptoms. |
| I brushed it off, thinking it was all in my head. But after taking my temperature a few times throughout the morning, a fever started to show: 99.9 degrees. The coughing continued and I was soon at 100.2. | I brushed it off, thinking it was all in my head. But after taking my temperature a few times throughout the morning, a fever started to show: 99.9 degrees. The coughing continued and I was soon at 100.2. |
| After some prodding from my roommate, I called my doctor’s office. Someone took down my symptoms and put me on hold, after which I was told that I should call urgent care to get a test. | After some prodding from my roommate, I called my doctor’s office. Someone took down my symptoms and put me on hold, after which I was told that I should call urgent care to get a test. |
| “Is there somewhere you can refer me?” I asked. | “Is there somewhere you can refer me?” I asked. |
| “Just Google ‘urgent care N.Y.C.,’” the woman on the phone told me, adding that I could also try CityMD, a local walk-in clinic, because it was doing tests. | “Just Google ‘urgent care N.Y.C.,’” the woman on the phone told me, adding that I could also try CityMD, a local walk-in clinic, because it was doing tests. |
| I called a CityMD location, but was told that no, in fact, it was not giving the test. Again, I asked for a referral to someplace that was. | I called a CityMD location, but was told that no, in fact, it was not giving the test. Again, I asked for a referral to someplace that was. |
| CityMD didn’t know. | CityMD didn’t know. |
| My roommate was now pitching in, calling the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in one room while I called NYC Health and Hospitals, the city’s public hospital system, in the other. After about an hour on hold, she got through to someone at the C.D.C. By then, my temperature was 101.7 degrees. | My roommate was now pitching in, calling the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in one room while I called NYC Health and Hospitals, the city’s public hospital system, in the other. After about an hour on hold, she got through to someone at the C.D.C. By then, my temperature was 101.7 degrees. |
| My roommate handed the phone to me and a woman on the line took down my symptoms and demographic information, then put me back on hold. A few minutes later, she came back on the line and told me that someone would call me back with more information and, in the most topsy-turvy interaction of the day, advised me to call my doctor’s office and tell it to visit cdc.gov to learn correct protocols. | My roommate handed the phone to me and a woman on the line took down my symptoms and demographic information, then put me back on hold. A few minutes later, she came back on the line and told me that someone would call me back with more information and, in the most topsy-turvy interaction of the day, advised me to call my doctor’s office and tell it to visit cdc.gov to learn correct protocols. |
| When the C.D.C. called back, a person said someone would call me every few days to check my status; I haven’t heard from the C.D.C. since. | When the C.D.C. called back, a person said someone would call me every few days to check my status; I haven’t heard from the C.D.C. since. |
| The whole time, I was still on hold with NYC Health and Hospitals. After a few more minutes, I got through to someone who also took down my symptoms and demographic information. But this time, I received some concrete guidance: Isolate for 14 days. | The whole time, I was still on hold with NYC Health and Hospitals. After a few more minutes, I got through to someone who also took down my symptoms and demographic information. But this time, I received some concrete guidance: Isolate for 14 days. |
| I hung up and I thought I was done; I had my orders, and my roommate and I were ready to hole up with our two cats. But about an hour later, NYC Health and Hospitals called back and wanted to schedule a test for me and my roommate the next morning. | I hung up and I thought I was done; I had my orders, and my roommate and I were ready to hole up with our two cats. But about an hour later, NYC Health and Hospitals called back and wanted to schedule a test for me and my roommate the next morning. |
| Why we were given the test is still a mystery. We’re two young, active people, only one of whom had symptoms, and none of which were severe. | Why we were given the test is still a mystery. We’re two young, active people, only one of whom had symptoms, and none of which were severe. |
| Many people would never even get to this point: I’m fortunate that I could work from home, that I had the flexibility to sit on hold for hours and that my workplace allowed me time off the next day. | Many people would never even get to this point: I’m fortunate that I could work from home, that I had the flexibility to sit on hold for hours and that my workplace allowed me time off the next day. |
| Ever since I got my result, I’ve had friends — one of whom has an underlying medical condition — also try to get tested, and none have been successful. | Ever since I got my result, I’ve had friends — one of whom has an underlying medical condition — also try to get tested, and none have been successful. |
| About 50,000 people have been tested in the United States so far, according to estimates by the Covid Tracking Project, an internet community effort. | About 50,000 people have been tested in the United States so far, according to estimates by the Covid Tracking Project, an internet community effort. |
| South Korea is testing about 10,000 people every day. | South Korea is testing about 10,000 people every day. |
| On Thursday, my roommate and I walked 40 minutes from our Lower East Side apartment to a hospital because a nurse had instructed us not to take public transit or a taxi. (How would someone in poor health have managed?) | On Thursday, my roommate and I walked 40 minutes from our Lower East Side apartment to a hospital because a nurse had instructed us not to take public transit or a taxi. (How would someone in poor health have managed?) |
| We arrived at a special entrance, a metal gate on the side of the hospital, and, as instructed, we called the nurse to tell her we were there. She met us outside and handed us each a mask before walking us to a locked waiting room designated as a coronavirus area. | We arrived at a special entrance, a metal gate on the side of the hospital, and, as instructed, we called the nurse to tell her we were there. She met us outside and handed us each a mask before walking us to a locked waiting room designated as a coronavirus area. |
| Here, hand sanitizer was not in short supply; I counted three dispensers in the nine-seat waiting room. (I disclosed that I worked as a journalist for The New York Times only when asked during intake.) | Here, hand sanitizer was not in short supply; I counted three dispensers in the nine-seat waiting room. (I disclosed that I worked as a journalist for The New York Times only when asked during intake.) |
| After an hour or so, we were escorted to a standard hospital room, which had to be cleaned so thoroughly after each test it could be used only once an hour. A doctor we couldn’t see called us from a separate room to ask about our symptoms and potential exposure. We finished the call, and a few minutes later, she entered the room wearing a hospital gown, gloves and a breathing apparatus. | After an hour or so, we were escorted to a standard hospital room, which had to be cleaned so thoroughly after each test it could be used only once an hour. A doctor we couldn’t see called us from a separate room to ask about our symptoms and potential exposure. We finished the call, and a few minutes later, she entered the room wearing a hospital gown, gloves and a breathing apparatus. |
| She explained that we’d each be given four nasal swabs — two in each nostril — to test for both the flu and for Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. I had read that the test feels like the swabs are stuck so far up your nose they hit your brain, but it was nothing that dramatic. A quick swirl around the nose. | She explained that we’d each be given four nasal swabs — two in each nostril — to test for both the flu and for Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. I had read that the test feels like the swabs are stuck so far up your nose they hit your brain, but it was nothing that dramatic. A quick swirl around the nose. |
| The doctor disposed of her gown and gloves, then knocked on the door so a nurse could open it from the outside. She left, then called back a few minutes later to tell us to continue to isolate and call 911 if symptoms worsened. | The doctor disposed of her gown and gloves, then knocked on the door so a nurse could open it from the outside. She left, then called back a few minutes later to tell us to continue to isolate and call 911 if symptoms worsened. |
| We walked home in our masks and we haven’t left the apartment since. | We walked home in our masks and we haven’t left the apartment since. |
| We were told results would be available after two to three days. Four days later, around 6 p.m. on Monday, they were posted online. | We were told results would be available after two to three days. Four days later, around 6 p.m. on Monday, they were posted online. |
| Updated June 16, 2020 | |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| Even the results process was botched: I was later told that test results were not supposed to be posted online. | Even the results process was botched: I was later told that test results were not supposed to be posted online. |
| I notified my workplace, along with everyone I’d had contact with over the last week, and … that’s about it. | I notified my workplace, along with everyone I’d had contact with over the last week, and … that’s about it. |
| For people with Covid-19 who have mild symptoms, there isn’t much to be done. Take medicine if you have a fever, and do not leave home. The biggest battle we’re facing right now is cabin fever. | For people with Covid-19 who have mild symptoms, there isn’t much to be done. Take medicine if you have a fever, and do not leave home. The biggest battle we’re facing right now is cabin fever. |
| But our experience revealed that the institutions charged with helping us were just as confused as we were. | But our experience revealed that the institutions charged with helping us were just as confused as we were. |
| Multiple people told us that they were doing their best, but they just didn’t quite know what to do — though, to be clear, every nurse, doctor and health care worker we encountered was tremendously helpful, and the hospital staff could not have been more comforting. | Multiple people told us that they were doing their best, but they just didn’t quite know what to do — though, to be clear, every nurse, doctor and health care worker we encountered was tremendously helpful, and the hospital staff could not have been more comforting. |
| But finding solid guidance took hours of time and lots of energy, and for people without my privileges, the process would be exponentially worse. | But finding solid guidance took hours of time and lots of energy, and for people without my privileges, the process would be exponentially worse. |
| Still, there are signs of improvement. In New York, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has pushed to increase testing, and the number of tests jumped by more than 500 between Monday and Tuesday morning this week. The state opened its first drive-through testing center, in New Rochelle, with more centers on the way. And Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday that by Thursday the city would be able to test 5,000 people every day, instead of just several hundred. | Still, there are signs of improvement. In New York, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has pushed to increase testing, and the number of tests jumped by more than 500 between Monday and Tuesday morning this week. The state opened its first drive-through testing center, in New Rochelle, with more centers on the way. And Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday that by Thursday the city would be able to test 5,000 people every day, instead of just several hundred. |
| Through it all, I did manage to find a bit of humor in my situation: I found out I had the virus on my birthday. | Through it all, I did manage to find a bit of humor in my situation: I found out I had the virus on my birthday. |