US Postal Service begins shipping free COVID tests

  • Context: COVID 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Ygggdrasil
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Covid Covid-19
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The U.S. Postal Service has initiated the distribution of free at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits through the website covidtests.gov. Each household can order four tests, with shipments expected to commence in late January. Although the tests may arrive post-peak of the Omicron wave, they are anticipated to be beneficial for future use. The site is currently in beta testing, with a formal launch scheduled for Wednesday, as confirmed by White House press secretary Jen Psaki.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of COVID-19 testing methods, specifically rapid antigen tests.
  • Familiarity with the U.S. Postal Service's role in public health initiatives.
  • Knowledge of government resources for health-related services, such as covidtests.gov.
  • Awareness of the Omicron variant's impact on public health timelines.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effectiveness of rapid antigen tests compared to PCR tests.
  • Explore the logistics of government health initiatives during pandemics.
  • Learn about the implications of COVID-19 testing on public health policy.
  • Investigate the role of beta testing in government website launches.
USEFUL FOR

American residents interested in obtaining COVID-19 test kits, public health officials, and anyone tracking government responses to the pandemic.

Ygggdrasil
Science Advisor
Insights Author
Gold Member
Messages
3,753
Reaction score
4,198
Just an FYI to the American users of the forum: you can go to covidtests.gov to order free at-home rapid antigen tests.

The U.S. Postal Service has begun taking orders for free at-home Coronavirus test kits.

The website COVIDtests.gov was originally slated to begin taking orders on Wednesday. White House press secretary Jen Psaki says the site is in the "beta testing" stage and "will be launched formally tomorrow morning [Wednesday]."

Each household order will contain four rapid tests, which the Postal Service says will be shipped for free "in late January."
(source: NPR)

Unfortunately, the tests will likely arrive after the peak of the Omicron wave (or at least I hope Omicron is on the decline by the time the tests start arriving), so they may not make much of an impact on the current wave, but they should still be very useful for everyone going forward.
 
Reply
  • Like
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: Fervent Freyja, BillTre and Klystron
Biology news on Phys.org
The site was actually taking orders yesterday and my wife ordered them.
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: russ_watters
I just ordered mine right before making this post :)
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Fervent Freyja
I placed an order, thanks!
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Ygggdrasil