I just got the rapid COVID test at the Alderney Library. Let me tell you about the experience [thread]

I arrived at 5:40, and got in line outside; I'd guess there were 40 people in front of me, as far as the door to enter. A few nice volunteers welcomed me, told me to text my name to a particular number. The line moved quickly. I got to the door at 5:50.

I was welcomed by a fellow who asked me the usual screening questions. A little nuance in my case...

I actually WAS at one of the advisory sites at the time someone was there: Scotia Square Food Court last Friday, ironically on my way to the COVID briefing. I had a quick cup of coffee. I sat by myself, easily 50 feet away from the nearest person

But Public Health only issued a "monitor symptoms" advisory, and not a "get tested" advisory, so I was good to go for the rapid test. The screener sent me to a guy with a computer, who took my name and number, and sent me to get tested.

I went directly to a nice young man [said with old dude voice] named Nick, who explained the test to me, and showed me this swab. It looked like it was 8 inches long, and he said he'd shove it up my nostril to like the 3 or 4 inch mark.

"Will this hurt?" I asked. "There might be some discomfort, and some people tear up or cough."

I'll be honest: it hurt. And I both teared up AND coughed. Nick counted to 5, which seemed like 5,000. But really, thinking back, it was "hurt" like stubbing my toe badly, and not hurt like breaking my wrist. So, you know, buck up, dude.

I asked Nick a bunch of reporter-like questions, so our stay together was probably a little longer than most, but I still exited the building at 5:55, so a total, from lining up outside to done, of just 15 minutes.

I walked home, started dinner, poured a beer, and sat down, and I just got texted the result: Negative! But of course all the warnings, which basically boil down to: stay careful, and don't be an idiot.

I'm really glad I did this. And I'd recommend it to others, if they have the opportunity.