COVID rapid antigen testing and BWE DC - time sensitive

[marcs]

My partner is absolutely freaking out about my going to "wine dinners indoors three nights in a row, with everyone talking and laughing". She has suggested that we should all get antigen testing for Covid. I personally plan to do so, and put it up to the group / the BD-greatest defense lawyer in the world as to whether we should ask all to do so. I realize this was not raised earlier and everyone has already made their arrangements, but I thought I would put it out there. It would allow all of us to breathe that much easier, so to speak, but it also raises the chance that someone could go to DC and then not be able to attend the dinner.

Here is the email she sent me with all the relevant information --

_________________________________
Rapid antigen testing will help ensure that nobody is infectious during the wine gatherings. Rapid antigen tests are very effective for determining when a person is infectious -- identifying 98% of infectious people. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/21/brie ... id-us.html

Rapid antigen home test kits are in short supply everywhere in the US, so you may not be able to find one to bring with you. However, DC has many locations where you can get a test in person with results in 15 minutes. They can fill up quickly, so you should make an appointment by Monday at the latest.

Locations to obtain tests include:

Sameday Testing. There are accessible locations in DC, Virginia, and MD. The DC location tends to fill up quickly but still has slots available for Friday, Oct 1. https://samedayhealth.com/covid19-testing#booking

CVS. Several DC locations, but tend to fill up quickly. https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing

Grubbs Pharmacy. Independent pharmacy located on Capitol Hill not too far from Marcus's house. Has many appointments for Friday, Oct 1. https://www.grubbspharmacy.com/.

Another option might be to have Sameday Health come to the wine dinner and test everyone there. Likely to be more pricey: https://www.sameday-testing.com/events#booking

[JimHow]

I’m certainly more than happy to schedule tests for myself, and I hope everyone else does as well. I don’t think we should necessarily mandate it but I certainly encourage everyone to take the test. I haven’t read through the information you provided, Marcus, is this something that should be taken on a daily basis, or, say, perhaps doing it on Friday might be enough?

[marcs]

Well, the test tells you your status at the time the test is taken. But I think it's pretty unlikely to pick up Covid over a 24 hour period, so taking it Friday in advance of the Friday and Saturday dinners should be fine.

For those of us going to the Thursday dinner it would probably be better to get it in advance of that, but Friday works too.

I have taken one of these before and it's fast and easy.

[JimHow]

I'm going to plan on taking it Thursday and Friday.

[DavidG]

Not going to have testing done at the venue. You can get a home test (BinaxNow) - or at least you can with enough lead time to find them.

I posted this 3 weeks ago:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9779

[JimHow]

I just scheduled for Friday morning at Grubb's Pharmacy, $95, easy as pie.

[JimHow]

...and Thursday morning as well.
Plenty of slots available.

[JimHow]

I'm booked for Thursday and Friday mornings at Grubb's Pharmacy.
It doesn't look like weekend tests are available at that pharmacy.
If I can find a place for Saturday morning I'll get tested there as well.
My position is that I'm going to take the test myself because it will make me personally, and other attendees as well, more comfortable.
I encourage others to take it as well. It is $95 per test at Grubb's Pharmacy.

[DavidG]

The BinaxNow self-administered tests, if you can get them, are about $25 for 2.

[Blanquito]

I’m getting a PCR test on Wednesday, I get results back Thursday morning.

[ericindc]

Janet and I got tested today through DC at the local fire company. Not really going anywhere before Thursday. We should get results back Wedesday. crossing fingers.

[SF Ed]

Lisa and I are getting PCR tests before we leave (Wednesday or Thursday) and then bringing a BinaxNow test kit to take before Saturday night.

Ed

[Blanquito]

Just had my PCR test, get the results no later than tomorrow AM…

[SF Ed]

Just self-tested on my return to SF and showed negative. I hope that the same is true for everyone and that we showed that it is possible to get together in a group to share wine even during a pandemic if we all take care of ourselves, get vaccinated, and test frequently.

SF Ed

[JimHow]

Well done indeed!