What’s it like to get a coronavirus test? Here’s a first-person account

As a self-admitted hypochondriac, I have a unique talent of turning a stomach ache into appendicitis, a headache into a brain aneurysm and simple nausea into whatever disease I read about that week.

So when reports of the novel coronavirus first came out, I was consumed with extra safety measures, like ramping up my handwashing and wearing a mask when few took any precautions. Despite my efforts, rolling bouts of fatigue, migraines and a dry cough crept into my life just as our county saw a jump in positive cases.

As an asthmatic, I must take into consideration seasonal allergies that include all these symptoms; but as a worrier, I wonder if I have COVID-19. Though I have not had a fever, or any of the other more severe symptoms, recent data shows that there may have been many more cases than originally thought because a large population may show very mild symptoms or none at all. Since my asthma puts me in a high-risk group, I sought out a test to put my mind at ease and keep my family safe.

We recently reported on Project Baseline and their efforts to test local residents free of charge at their site at the Salida Library and decided to see if I would qualify for their test. The site is very easy to navigate and with a few clicks I was able to input my information and answer a few questions to determine eligibility. In less than 5 minutes, I received an answer and scheduled a test for the next day.

As a millennial, I often feel encouraged about something when the technology works seamlessly so I was hopeful for the testing process. I received an email confirming my appointment time and what to do, including keeping your window up, following the commands of the testers and arriving at the test alone. After I let my dog Gigi know she would not be able to accompany me to get tested, all there was to do was wait.

Heading to Salida for coronavirus test

The next day, I grabbed my face mask and proceeded to Salida. Out front on the street, a large digital sign clearly designating the area as the COVID-19 testing site directed me into the parking lot to the first of 3 stations.

The first station confirmed my name and appointment. I was asked to keep my window up through directions on laminated cards while another worker confirmed my appointment number from my email and my driver’s license.

Once they confirmed me, they waved me forward. I drove through and waited at the next station while workers confirmed my name again, and then took a testing kit with my information printed on the bag and placed it on my windshield. They then waved me through to the final station.

All the workers at these stations were wearing masks and gloves and were kept free of exposure from the patient as the windows were kept up. But once I rolled into the last station, the test takers and healthcare personnel were wearing full-body protective gear and splash shields on the face in addition to masks and gloves. At this moment, I did feel anxiety, and this pandemic seemed much more real.

The tester took the bag from the windshield and confirmed my name again. She then prepared the long swab from the kit and asked me to roll down the window. I kept my mask on and slid it down under my nose as she informed me to stay still and that it may feel unpleasant. I expected this, I had seen videos of other people getting the swab up their nose and I was nervous that it would feel awful, last way too long and even hurt.

‘Just like that, it was over’

Like most medical procedures, you have no choice but to swallow your nerves and just bear it.

So as I rolled the window down, and she got ready to put that stick up my nose I tilted my head up, closed my eyes and grimaced as she pushed the stick into my nasal passage and wiggled it around for what seemed like too many seconds.

So was it awful? Yes. But was it unbearable and painful? No.

After that, she handed me a tissue and just like that it was over. They informed me I would get results in about 48 hours, and sure enough on day 3 I got an email informing me I tested negative.

Now free of worry, I was left only thinking about the testing process. It was so easy, streamlined and efficient. The workers, who should be celebrated and applauded for being on the front lines of this crisis, were professional, compassionate and responsible. I was in and out of there in about 15 minutes, maybe a little less.

What the process showed me was that anyone who even has an inkling that they may be sick or is in a high risk group should get tested. This testing has proven to be so in need that another group, Optum will be opening testing sites in Keyes and Patterson.

This quarantine is hard on everyone, and we all want to return to normal as soon as we can, but that cannot happen until we test everyone, symptomatic or not and remain free. We are not there yet, but as our cases continue to climb we need everyone to hold tight and follow our state guidelines.

I will continue to wear masks and take extra precautions to keep myself safe. A recent trip to the store left me alarmed as few people were wearing any protective face coverings. Even if you do not feel sick, you could be a carrier and I applaud stores now requiring shoppers to wear masks.

One day, I hope this will be far behind us. If we are faced again with another pandemic, it may teach us how to be prepared.

Let’s all stay hopeful, stay safe and stay committed to supporting local health efforts and directives. We’re in this together.

Maria Figueroa is the research and information specialist at The Modesto Bee.

This story was originally published May 5, 2020 at 1:44 PM.