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So, I'm gonna have to go to Walmart to get tested? Wtf? I should be able to go to my local hospital right now, but there's no tests, and no one will be wearing

So, I'm gonna have to go to Walmart to get tested? Wtf? I should be able to go to my local hospital right now, but there's no tests, and no one will be wearing PPE when I walk in there. Fuck this website. Exactly where, in each US state does one go for testing, right now? Any sources on this? Edit: I may sound rash, but what I read is Google: it's only in SF Bay, Trump: there will be a website, and drive through testing, which sounds like in Walmart parking lots or something. Yes, I'm freaking out. Can anyone out there answer my question above? Cause the local govt or healthcare facilities are unable to. Nor Trump, Walmart, or Google (even Google search)

newtoday 7y ago
A few downvotes on this so far, but no replies. No answers! I apologise for reaching out to the community. I love HN and respect the guidelines whole heartidly, but I was actually hoping for a reply.
- 9HZZRfNlpR 7y ago
  Possibly because its common sense no country is really prepared for anything like that, doesn't matter the overall medical situation, and private companies who have infrastructure already help out if they can everywhere in the world right now.
  - newtoday 7y ago
    Thanks for the reply. Where do US citizens go get tested in each state?
    - wideasleep1 7y ago
      Personally, I would call my health provider, or my local hospital to inquire about their particular Covid testing protocol, seeming as some states are currently reporting very few confirmed cases, while others are already doing drive-through testing.
      - newtoday 7y ago
        Yea, that's the point. No one knows.
        wideasleep1 7y ago
        Apologies, I thought you were genuinely curious.
        watwut 7y ago
        Your answer was that you don't know through. You just assume that the information would be easy to obtain by calling to hospital. (Which is not a way to distribute information many people need simultaneously anyway, even if it worked). Multiple people who called ended up being sent (or told to call) from one place to another.They after series of calls ended up being told they cant get tested due to rules on who is being tested being quite strict. It is not the case of "call your doctor and they will know and give you straight clear information". It might become that case after a while, but afaik it is not that way now.
        joelvalleroy 7y ago
        NBC: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/coronavirus-testing-information-covid-19-tests-according-state-health-departments-n1158041 https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/coronavirus-testi... tldr; call your provider or local public health
        wideasleep1 7y ago
        I do know..and most who care and plan ahead know. Acting out ignorance (whether deliberately feigned or even true ignorance) isn't advancing productive discussion. Of course testing is currently rationed for the most vulnerable/susceptible..you are not a consumer ordering a Big Mac in that drive-thru line, at least not yet, although that frequency and ease should be the outcome of widespread testing effort.
        newtoday 7y ago
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]
tathougies 7y ago
Because Walmart already has the infrastructure to (a) set up drive-through testing sites, (b) employees to perform the tests, and (c) the distribution network to get this test to the majority of America very quickly. Your local hospital, not being part of a larger chain or system, does not. These tests are all drive through, that is why you don't need PPE to go in, because you don't need to go in. I don't understand the HN hivemind that American companies wanting to help out Americans is a bad thing.
- newtoday 7y ago
  That's a really good answer. Thanks. I agree, but it just makes me pinch myself, check my pulse, and wonder if I'm in an alternate universe when the world pandemic of this age involves me going to Walmart instead of to a hospital. Second part of the question. Where do I go get tested in each state, right now?
  - jjeaff 7y ago
    You don't want to flood hospitals with millions of Americans that think they might have corona virus. Testing in non-hospital space is the correct thing to do.
- newtoday 7y ago
  "I don't understand the HN hivemind that American companies wanting to help out Americans is a bad thing. " In no way do I feel that way. But, I personally don't need anything from large corporate America bullshitting about the seriousness of what lay ahead. Reactions, particularly from grociers and retailers just in the last two days have been surprisingly good though. Still, I don't need an article or website giving me a status update, I need to know where I can get tested.
  - tathougies 7y ago
    Large corporate American represents some of the most logistics-capable organizations to have ever existed on the planet. I don't understand the disdain.

newtoday 7y ago

A few downvotes on this so far, but no replies. No answers! I apologise for reaching out to the community. I love HN and respect the guidelines whole heartidly, but I was actually hoping for a reply.

9HZZRfNlpR 7y ago
Possibly because its common sense no country is really prepared for anything like that, doesn't matter the overall medical situation, and private companies who have infrastructure already help out if they can everywhere in the world right now.
- newtoday 7y ago
  Thanks for the reply. Where do US citizens go get tested in each state?
  - wideasleep1 7y ago
    Personally, I would call my health provider, or my local hospital to inquire about their particular Covid testing protocol, seeming as some states are currently reporting very few confirmed cases, while others are already doing drive-through testing.
    - newtoday 7y ago
      Yea, that's the point. No one knows.
      - wideasleep1 7y ago
        Apologies, I thought you were genuinely curious.
        watwut 7y ago
        Your answer was that you don't know through. You just assume that the information would be easy to obtain by calling to hospital. (Which is not a way to distribute information many people need simultaneously anyway, even if it worked). Multiple people who called ended up being sent (or told to call) from one place to another.They after series of calls ended up being told they cant get tested due to rules on who is being tested being quite strict. It is not the case of "call your doctor and they will know and give you straight clear information". It might become that case after a while, but afaik it is not that way now.
        joelvalleroy 7y ago
        NBC: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/coronavirus-testing-information-covid-19-tests-according-state-health-departments-n1158041 https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/coronavirus-testi... tldr; call your provider or local public health
        wideasleep1 7y ago
        I do know..and most who care and plan ahead know. Acting out ignorance (whether deliberately feigned or even true ignorance) isn't advancing productive discussion. Of course testing is currently rationed for the most vulnerable/susceptible..you are not a consumer ordering a Big Mac in that drive-thru line, at least not yet, although that frequency and ease should be the outcome of widespread testing effort.
        newtoday 7y ago
deleted 7y ago
[deleted]

tathougies 7y ago

Because Walmart already has the infrastructure to (a) set up drive-through testing sites, (b) employees to perform the tests, and (c) the distribution network to get this test to the majority of America very quickly. Your local hospital, not being part of a larger chain or system, does not. These tests are all drive through, that is why you don't need PPE to go in, because you don't need to go in. I don't understand the HN hivemind that American companies wanting to help out Americans is a bad thing.

newtoday 7y ago
That's a really good answer. Thanks. I agree, but it just makes me pinch myself, check my pulse, and wonder if I'm in an alternate universe when the world pandemic of this age involves me going to Walmart instead of to a hospital. Second part of the question. Where do I go get tested in each state, right now?
- jjeaff 7y ago
  You don't want to flood hospitals with millions of Americans that think they might have corona virus. Testing in non-hospital space is the correct thing to do.
newtoday 7y ago
"I don't understand the HN hivemind that American companies wanting to help out Americans is a bad thing. " In no way do I feel that way. But, I personally don't need anything from large corporate America bullshitting about the seriousness of what lay ahead. Reactions, particularly from grociers and retailers just in the last two days have been surprisingly good though. Still, I don't need an article or website giving me a status update, I need to know where I can get tested.
- tathougies 7y ago
  Large corporate American represents some of the most logistics-capable organizations to have ever existed on the planet. I don't understand the disdain.