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If you haven't been for a covid test lately, especially in a populated area, things have changed significantly. Lines are 4-12 hours long and often run out of t

If you haven't been for a covid test lately, especially in a populated area, things have changed significantly. Lines are 4-12 hours long and often run out of tests before they can get to everyone. There are no appointments available. Urgent Care centers are overrun and can't handle nearly as many tests as people are requesting.

NikolaeVarius 5y ago
How does this disprove market theory. The tests are free due to subsidizing. High demand leads to shortages.
- sovnade 5y ago
  Because one of the options you stated (waiting in line) isn't even an option in a lot of areas. This specific scenario has nothing to do with market theory. It's a combination of regulation, subsidization, and infrastructure. We're not buying playstations.
- skohan 5y ago
  Are PCR tests free in the US? I found tons of paid testing services when looking, they just didn't have capacity.
  - sovnade 5y ago
    Yes they're free. I haven't paid for an antigen test or PCR test and I've had probably half a dozen of each.
    - cr1895 5y ago
      They’re covered by insurance…try being a visitor to the US then an antigen test will cost you $150+.
      - sovnade 5y ago
        They're also covered if you don't have insurance, but yeah that could be completely correct if you're not a citizen/resident of the US. Bummer.
- ceejayoz 5y ago
  The tests are free to the person testing. They don't magically appear out of thin air. The government is buying them via the normal capitalist system but there aren't enough because the manufacturers can't make enough to meet demand. (In part, because major manufacturers closed factories and destroyed inventory between spikes. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/20/us/abbott-covid-tests.html https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/20/us/abbott-covid-tests.htm...) I'm a bit baffled as to why the Defense Production Act hasn't been utilized more during the pandemic for stuff like this.

NikolaeVarius 5y ago

How does this disprove market theory. The tests are free due to subsidizing. High demand leads to shortages.

sovnade 5y ago
Because one of the options you stated (waiting in line) isn't even an option in a lot of areas. This specific scenario has nothing to do with market theory. It's a combination of regulation, subsidization, and infrastructure. We're not buying playstations.
skohan 5y ago
Are PCR tests free in the US? I found tons of paid testing services when looking, they just didn't have capacity.
- sovnade 5y ago
  Yes they're free. I haven't paid for an antigen test or PCR test and I've had probably half a dozen of each.
  - cr1895 5y ago
    They’re covered by insurance…try being a visitor to the US then an antigen test will cost you $150+.
    - sovnade 5y ago
      They're also covered if you don't have insurance, but yeah that could be completely correct if you're not a citizen/resident of the US. Bummer.
ceejayoz 5y ago
The tests are free to the person testing. They don't magically appear out of thin air. The government is buying them via the normal capitalist system but there aren't enough because the manufacturers can't make enough to meet demand. (In part, because major manufacturers closed factories and destroyed inventory between spikes. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/20/us/abbott-covid-tests.html https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/20/us/abbott-covid-tests.htm...) I'm a bit baffled as to why the Defense Production Act hasn't been utilized more during the pandemic for stuff like this.