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Free tests are available in the US again (special.usps.com)

submitted 1 week ago by macabrett@lemmy.ml to c/covid@hexbear.net

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It's not enough and not often enough, but may as well take your free tests when you can.

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[-] Fuzzy_Red_Panda@lemm.ee 6 points 1 week ago

Do these tests detect the latest strains? Are these just leftovers from the last time the government sent out free tests?

[-] macabrett@lemmy.ml 9 points 1 week ago

I think all of the rapid tests are the same as they've ever been, which is relatively inaccurate and therefore you are best taking multiple tests 48 hours apart to verify negativity. False negatives are relatively common, but false positives are rare. It's not a great tool, but it's one of the few we can get for free sometimes.

[-] Fuzzy_Red_Panda@lemm.ee 1 points 1 day ago

I received the tests. Can confirm that they are leftover tests that the government extended the expiration date on. The ones I got expired almost a year ago, and even with the extended expiration date, are only good for three more months.

Also, they do not appear to be reformulated to better detect any of the covid variants.