Tags
So almost a month to the day of my first ever antigen test, they have become a weekly thing. And so far so good! Some say they should be done more frequently, but as I hardly go anywhere I think that for now once a week is fine. The good news is that the government has set the maximum price for the tests at just under 3€, so that’s more reasonable. Less than half of what I was paying last month.
What is disturbing is that so many people I know have contracted Covid in the past few weeks, both here in Spain and abroad. This omicron variant seems to be getting to almost everyone. And while I had stopped my tours in December and January, I was hoping to get back to work in February. Now I’m not so sure. I mean, I am still working every day, out and about and then updating my websites and social media accounts, but none of this brings in any income. A gentle reminder that if you’d like to help support my non-profit (info-packed!) websites you can become a Patreon. Or you can just keep showing up here and there, because that is also very much appreciated. xx
casa azahar 
The fast test which is the only one you can get at the moment (unless you are under 15 ir get the free test at school) is $40 for one test or $100 for 4 tests (which makes no sense) in Ontario. They are free in Quebec.
I was lucky to be able to get the free PCR test before the province, in its infinite wisdom, decided that you can’t get tested.
They figure that if you have been in contact with someone positive or have symptoms, you should just self-isolate. Which is just great if you are working minimum wage and can’t afford the antigen tests and are in contact with people who COULD be positive.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So much of this makes no sense, which is why we can’t trust “the numbers” since they don’t include people who have home tested or – OBVIOUSLY – those they refuse to test. Duh. At first the fast tests here cost up to 10€ each, so 3€ is much better. But yeah, they should be given out to everyone. It’s almost like they don’t want to know?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The US is a mess. We have finally, richest country in the world best medical system bla bla, got a system in place where you can order free tests through the postal service and I just did. But my main line of defense has been… quitting work again. I was so getting used to having some income outside Social Security, which is ENOUGH but means no buying any unnecessary thing costing more than a few bucks. And to seeing people and doing what I’m good at. It’s making me crazier than the first round, because it was supposed to get BETTER instead of worse.
And yet people are out there farting around as if there’s no big deal. “It’s mild.” (It isn’t and for some people is still deadly vax or not.) “I wear my mask everywhere” (may not help much). “We’re all going to get it.” (That doesn’t mean lean into it.) Shoving kids into class, the kids are terrified, the teachers are terrified, the parents keeping their asthmatic or otherwise vulnerable kids at home are literally being haled into court as “neglectful”. Our new Republican governor in VA (campaigned on the platform of Democrats make your kids! read! scary! books!) tried to prohibit schools from mandating masks and half the school systems in the state just took him to court over it. What a lot of wasted energy.
Anyway, for now, we can get free tests but mostly I’m staying in except for hill walks and holding out for an Omicron booster which is supposed to be in development in several places. We’re all going to be pin cushions but fine.
LikeLiked by 2 people