So, I found out today that I was exposed to COVID-19 at a small gathering (5 people!) over the July 4th weekend.

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While I was only around the person for ~30 minutes, and I haven’t had any symptoms that I don’t also associate with allergies, I naturally wanted to get tested.

I had heard that testing in @SpokaneCounty was difficult to access, and that you had to show symptoms to receive a test.

This is NOT true!

Within 20 minutes of finding out about my exposure, I looked up testing sites at @SpokaneHealth’s website and found a @providence_phc Urgent Care site with walk-in availability.

I made a reservation for the afternoon and continued my day working from home.

When the time came, Providence texted to remind me of my appointment, and I drove down and checked in under a tent outside with a masked receptionist.

They did a quick symptom check and directed me back to my car to wait.

While the wait was ~30 minutes, I didn’t have to worry about getting exposed again in a waiting room.

Soon, a nurse knocked on my window, backed up, and confirmed my appointment, then walked me down the stairs to a cleaned exam room.

They ran vitals, confirmed symptoms and exposure date, and swabbed my throat.

Doctor came in and confirmed the testing wait time (2-5 days, though testing happens in house, so may not be subject to the same delays we’ve been seeing elsewhere), and isolation practices.

Within 20 minutes of walking in, I was out! And I didn’t even feel like I touched any surfaces or had any increased risk of a second exposure.

Point is: GET TESTED!

If you have symptoms (dry cough, shortness of breath, etc.), get tested!

If you have been exposed to a confirmed case, get tested!

If you work at an essential business with increased risk of exposure, get tested!

There is no legitimate excuse.

The testing situation in #Spokane isn’t ideal, to be sure—I still think there should be free, drive-through, community-funded testing for all.

But that’s still no excuse. It’s easy to get tested, and for many insurers and providers (like @CHAS_health), it’s free.

Testing and isolation is one of the ways we can arrest this virus. If you meet one of the criteria above, get tested!

Find sites at http://srhd.org/covid19