# COVIDtest.gov is up and taking orders (site for free covid tests - program restarted Sept 2023),) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [January 18, 2022, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015 "2022-01-18T19:27:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/1 "2022-01-18T19:27:59Z")
I ordered our four free tests today, they are scheduled to be shipped around the end of this month. Mods, I think this post should be here, but if you think it should be somewhere else so more folks can see it and order their tests, please move it. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/2 "2022-01-18T19:29:54Z")
I’ve got my order confirmation already. Only two of us, so the four should be more than enough. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/3 "2022-01-18T19:34:49Z")
I’ve heard that some different families living at the same address are having issues but considering the site is up earlier than expected, I’m guessing that issue will be fixed shortly. There are a LOT of apartments in the US. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/4 "2022-01-18T20:06:09Z")
I got a confirmation #. Not sure if I’m supposed to get a confirmation email. If so, it’s taking a little while. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/5 "2022-01-18T20:08:29Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > I’ve heard that some different families living at the same address are having issues but considering the site is up earlier than expected, I’m guessing that issue will be fixed shortly. There are a LOT of apartments in the US. I put my apartment number in the second line, below the street address. That might make a difference. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/6 "2022-01-18T20:15:42Z")
@JaneDoe42, thanks for making this post! I placed my order, easy peasy. I’ve never taken a test and probably won’t need to very often except for plane travel, so the 4 they are sending should last awhile. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/7 "2022-01-18T20:19:03Z")
Another thank you here. Placed my order, and got my confirmation letter. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/8 "2022-01-18T20:20:46Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I’ve never taken a test and probably won’t need to very often except for plane travel A home test isn’t going to work for plane travel, unless it’s one that is specially approved for the purpose - that involves an online video chat appointment to have the test supervised and validated. When I last traveled, these were approved by the U.S. authorities for re-entry to the U.S. (you could buy one and take it with you), but other countries will not accept them for outbound travel. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/9 "2022-01-18T20:20:55Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I put my apartment number in the second line, below the street address. That might make a difference. That’s how I did it. Hopefully didn’t mess up any of my neighbors. I have a nice email tucked into my Pending folder confirming my order has been received, but it was [usps.com](http://usps.com). ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/10 "2022-01-18T20:22:05Z")
Well, darn. Thanks for sharing that. I’ve been a virtual shut-in throughout this pandemic and have not traveled by plane since before it started. At least I’ll have them to share with others who may need them. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/11 "2022-01-18T20:23:56Z")
Does four kits mean eight tests? The kits I’ve always bought had two tests, but I’m pretty sure I saw some that didn’t. My understanding is that the recommendation is to test twice in any situation where you are symptomatic or five days after you think may have been exposed. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/12 "2022-01-18T20:24:50Z")
I’ve heard they might switch the testing standard to testing saliva, perhaps through a cheek swab rather than the nostril test. I hope so, as the nostril test is unpleasant. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/13 "2022-01-18T20:26:43Z")
My social life is also very limited but COVID is a sneaky bitch and I think we are all going to be exposed at one time or another. I have nasty seasonal allergies show many of the COVID symptoms so it will be good to know if it’s safe for me to go out or not. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/14 "2022-01-18T20:27:04Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’ve heard they might switch the testing standard to testing saliva, perhaps through a cheek swab rather than the nostril test. I hope so, as the nostril test is unpleasant. The only things I’ve seen are the usual 3/4 inch in the nose test and the tonsil test. I would definitely judge the latter to be more uncomfortable. The nasal swap only goes up about as much as when someone picks their nose. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/15 "2022-01-18T20:28:22Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > My social life is also very limited but COVID is a sneaky bitch and I think we are all going to be exposed at one time or another. I accept this as true. My goal is to postpone my exposure for as long as possible. Vaccines become better, treatments become better, testing methods become better. So far, so good. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/16 "2022-01-18T22:30:56Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > I got a confirmation #. Not sure if I’m supposed to get a confirmation email. If so, it’s taking a little while. I got a confirmation number on the website, and then a confirmation email shortly after. Did you fill out the email field on the order form? It was optional – all you have to give them is a name and mailing address. (Site says they’ll only send one kit per mailing address.) ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/17 "2022-01-18T22:37:26Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I got a confirmation number on the website, and then a confirmation email shortly after. I did end up getting the email (from USPS). It took 12 minutes. That’s an eternity these days! ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/18 "2022-01-18T23:14:30Z")
Ordered! ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/19 "2022-01-18T23:19:26Z")
Ordered our set. We have a small collection of tests already but we test before visiting anyone and if we find ourselves in close proximity to anyone we don’t know for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015/20 "2022-01-19T00:43:22Z")
Thanks, just ordered mine. Given all the anti-vaxxers at work and the fact that my family exposed me but didn’t bother to tell me for a couple of weeks I figure I’ll probably need one sooner or later. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covidtest-gov-is-up-and-taking-orders-site-for-free-covid-tests-program-restarted-sept-2023/958015.md?page=2)