Free At-Home COVID Tests Available for U.S. Households. How 'Free' COVID Tests Could Be Costing You More Than You Think
Free At-Home COVID Tests Available for U.S. Households. How 'Free' COVID Tests Could Be Costing You More Than You Think
"The Illusion of Choice: How Corporate Giants Shape Our News"
Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
As of late September 2024, residential households in the U.S. are eligible for another order of #4 free at-home tests from USPS.com.
Here's what you need to know about your order:
Each order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests (COVIDTests.gov has more details about at-home tests, including extended shelf life and updated expiration dates)
Orders will ship free, starting September 30, 2024
Link to Order the Tests: https://special.usps.com/testkits
What the Rapid Test Can Show
A rapid test provides critical information about your COVID-19 infection status and can give insights into your potential infectiousness. The key indicators to pay attention to are:
Time to Result: The quicker a color appears on the test line, the higher the likelihood of a significant viral load. A rapid appearance often suggests that you may be more contagious.
Color Intensity: The intensity of the color on the test line can also indicate the viral load being exhaled. A darker or more vivid color may correlate with a greater amount of virus present in your system.
Overall, rapid tests can be a useful tool for assessing your infectiousness and understanding how much virus you might be spreading to others.
THE ILLUSION OF "FREE" COVID TESTS: A Deeper Dive Exposing Hidden Agendas
How much are the "free" tests costing all of us?
It's crucial to take advantage of the free COVID-19 tests, but we must recognize that there is much more at play beneath the surface of this seemingly generous initiative.
To begin with, we should acknowledge that if the government were genuinely committed to protecting public health, they could take more meaningful steps, such as updating CDC guidelines to align with current science and data. Transparency about the “free” tests is essential. Will there be clear warnings advising people to wait 4 to 5 days after symptom onset before using the tests, or to take a second test 24 to 48 hours after a negative result to confirm their status?
Additionally, will the instructions include recommendations to swab both the throat and nose? Recent studies suggest that this method provides greater accuracy (1)(2).
It would also be beneficial if the government promoted the website for recording positive test results, thereby aiding public health monitoring. If they do, will the CDC integrate this data into their reporting?
During the 2022 State of the Union Address, President Biden stated, “If you’re immunocompromised or have some other vulnerability, we have treatments and free high-quality masks.” However, the efficacy of Paxlovid has significantly declined, and many individuals cannot take it due to preexisting health conditions. Where are the free high-quality masks?
If the government were sincere in its intentions, it could also offer free N-95 masks for both adults and children. As people order these “free” tests, it would be an ideal opportunity to provide critical information about the effectiveness of N-95 masks and the importance of enhancing ventilation and air filtration to prevent airborne transmission in schools, homes, and businesses. Despite the substantial evidence supporting these measures, they are not actively being promoted.
A study from January 2023 shows "Wearing of masks eliminated surface deposition and reduces the viral RNA in residual droplet nuclei which lends additional support to use of facemasks as a preventative measure in communities to reduce transmission."
“The vast majority of exhaled virions in both the supermarket and the passenger car remained entrained in the air until they were ventilated out of the space.”
Another study from July 2023 delves into airborne transmission within a high-rise building. The CDC a large study showing, “This demonstrates that when all students and staff participate in universal mask-wearing, transmission is reduced by 72%.”
The lack of free high-quality masks as we enter the fifth school year suggests a reluctance to remind the public that COVID-19 is an airborne virus.
Moreover, the CDC has not updated its guidance to extend isolation times beyond five days or to mandate a negative test before returning to work or school. This is concerning, given numerous studies indicating that individuals are most infectious between 8 to 10 days after symptom onset, with many remaining contagious for 20 days or longer
A study published Sept 8th, 2023, says “that participants exhaled an average of 80 SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA copies per minute during the first 8 days of infection, with significant variability both between and within individuals, including spikes over 800 copies a minute in some patients. After day 8, there was a steep drop to levels nearing the limit of detection, persisting for up to 20 days.”
This study says, “SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in exhaled air in 12 (24.5%) patients up to 23 days after symptom onset.”
A study from Oct 2022 says, “Rapid antigen test positivity remained high 5 days after symptom onset, supporting guidelines requiring a negative test to inform the length of the isolation period."
If the government truly aimed for transparency, they could easily include a flyer in the test package and post clear messages on the ordering website. This flyer could advise individuals to obtain a PCR test from their doctor or, at the very least, to take a photo of their positive at-home test result and save it. Maintaining a record of all positive results could be crucial if they need to apply for disability insurance or Social Security Disability benefits, as claims are often denied without concrete proof of infection.
Unfortunately, many people do not visit their doctor, which means they lack a formal record in their medical files and often discard the tests, leaving positive results unreported. This could potentially absolve the government of financial liability by making it more difficult for individuals to substantiate their COVID-19 history when claiming Long COVID disability benefits. This situation raises the question of whether the distribution of “free” tests serves a greater purpose, particularly considering the old adage, “Nothing in life is free.”
In economics, there’s a principle called "opportunity cost," which suggests that even when something appears to be free, it’s important to consider what you might be sacrificing by choosing it. To understand the implications of providing these tests, let's examine the numbers and what they could mean for government policy
In November of 2022 it was reported that "the Social Security Administration has identified about 40,000 disability claims that “include indication of a COVID infection at some point,” spokesperson Nicole Tiggemann said. How many people with long COVID are among the more than 1 million disability claims awaiting processing by Social Security is unknown."(4) How many more people are in need a year later?
The U.S. Census Bureau posted an update on their Household Pulse Survey for Aug 26 -Sept 4th, 2023. (5) The website indicates that about 28% of U.S. adults who previously had COVID-19 report symptoms lasting three months or longer, with states like Idaho, New Mexico, and Mississippi seeing rates over 34%. In fact, 15 U.S. states have more than 30% of residents reporting Long COVID symptoms. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 35 million adults—about 1 in 10—have experienced persistent COVID symptoms lasting three months or longer.
This situation has significant implications for education, work productivity, and the financial stability of families and the broader economy. If a fraction of these individuals applied for disability insurance or Social Security Disability benefits with the necessary documentation, it could impose a considerable financial burden on the government and large insurance companies. The cost could far exceed the $600 million being spent to produce about 200 million free COVID tests. It's important to note that this spending involves taxpayer dollars, but it pales in comparison to the potential expenses associated with disability claims.
As of 2003, the Social Security Administration reported that each disabled worker cost about $11,000. Although this figure is likely lower today, using it for calculations still paints a striking picture. If 10% of the 35 million reported in the household pulse survey were to apply for Social Security disability benefits in the next six months, that would amount to 3.5 million applicants, resulting in an estimated cost of $38.5 billion. Even if only 1% applied, it would still total around $3.85 billion. These numbers suggest a strong motive for the government to limit claims, as they likely recognize that these tests can reduce their liability.
The government seems aware that many lower-income individuals might utilize the free tests without fully understanding the consequences, especially those without health insurance who are less likely to visit a doctor for a PCR test. Additionally, since Long COVID can take months to manifest severely, many individuals—particularly those who receive false negative results—might not connect the dots.
From a government and corporate perspective, there's an understanding that most people are unaware they should wait 4 to 5 days after symptom onset before testing. They likely anticipate that many will use the tests on the 2nd or 3rd day of symptoms without retesting. This often results in a negative outcome, and since many working-age individuals experience mild symptoms, they may feel reassured and return to work or school. If the test does come back positive, the current guidance suggests returning after just 5 days, which could facilitate further transmission if public health is not prioritized.
A positive rapid test can provide individuals with clarity about their situation, alleviating anxiety about their symptoms. However, most will not seek a follow-up test if their symptoms do not worsen. From the government and corporate standpoint, this reduces liability for potential insurance payouts related to long-term disability claims.
They likely recognize that a portion of the hundreds of thousands of daily COVID-19 infections will start as mild cases but can develop into long-term disabling conditions. A study from January 2023 titled, “Long-Term Symptoms after Mild Coronavirus Disease in Healthy Healthcare Professionals”, concluded by saying, “This study revealed a high prevalence of persistent symptoms of COVID-19 in healthy individuals.” Despite knowing this, we haven’t upgraded infection control standards in hospitals to mitigate COVID transmission. Not only are we putting patients’ lives at risk, we are putting the lives of those who care for the patients at risk.
To make matters worse, the CDC, aka the Centers for Disease Transmission, is looking to update infection control standards in hospitals. The Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) is the body that advises the CDC on infection control in healthcare. Unbelievably, HICPAC is currently discussing drafts that weaken infection control policies.
Read more and sign onto a letter from the WHN that focuses on the prevention of airborne transmission here. The deadline for signatures on this letter was extended until October 13, 2023.
When viewed through a financial lens, the government’s $600 million investment in free COVID-19 tests at the onset of anticipated surges is actually a strategic move to save billions in the long run. This not only helps avoid a wave of insurance claims but also supports the economy by keeping parents and workers on the job instead of staying home sick or caring for sick children. Many workers, lacking sufficient sick days, are forced to return to work while still contagious. It’s disheartening to consider that these cost-saving decisions prioritize the economy over public health, but this approach has persisted for decades.
In the U.S., where the government should operate “by the people, for the people,” the reality is often influenced by the financial power of billionaires through SuperPACs, charities, and undisclosed funding sources. These massive donations create a sense of obligation for politicians, who rely on this money to maintain their campaigns and careers. This dynamic ensures that the interests of the wealthiest individuals shape public policy, making their political investments all the more profitable.
The free COVID tests are just one example of how the capitalist-driven healthcare and insurance system has compromised public health. While these tests appear to benefit society, they carry significant hidden costs. Long COVID sufferers, in particular, bear the brunt of these costs, which place immense strain on individuals, families, and the broader economy. Meanwhile, those at the top continue to control policy, knowing they can protect themselves and their families from the worst impacts of the virus. This leaves the majority of society paying the price for decisions made to sustain economic priorities over genuine public health concerns.
Despite overwhelming scientific evidence supporting measures to prevent airborne transmission of COVID-19, public health responses have often neglected this crucial aspect. The reason becomes clearer when we consider that politicians—heavily influenced by wealthy business owners and corporations through large donations—are responsible for shaping public health policy.
This raises serious concerns about the integrity of the democratic system and the influence of money in politics. In the 2022 State of the Union Address, President Biden said, "We have the tools we need" to end the shutdown of schools and businesses. Yet, rather than empowering society to fight the pandemic effectively, we've done the opposite. Key monitoring efforts have been terminated, COVID dashboards have been removed, and steps to prevent airborne transmission have been largely ignored. Shockingly, many schools no longer notify parents when a classmate tests positive, while they take more precautions for something as minor as lice.
Essential upgrades to HVAC systems in schools and public spaces have been disregarded, and protections for vulnerable populations—like children, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly—have been weakened. Ignoring airborne transmission in healthcare settings is particularly dangerous since people who are immunocompromised or hospitalized are at a higher risk of developing chronic COVID infections, which in turn fuels viral evolution.
Meanwhile, the virus continues to adapt, and current treatments struggle to keep up. Vaccines that could fully prevent infection, transmission, or long-term organ damage are still out of reach. COVID’s ability to suppress the immune system and quietly cause organ damage has increased, raising the risk of Long COVID. Millions of people are already unable to work due to these long-term effects, and that number keeps rising.
If the government were fully transparent, sharing this vital information and giving people the resources to reduce transmission, the "free" tests could be seen as a genuine public health effort. But when actions fail to match the rhetoric, it fosters skepticism and raises serious concerns about deception.
"The Illusion of Choice: How Corporate Giants Shape Our News"
Did you know that, in the United States, about 90% of media outlets are controlled by just six major corporations? These companies—Comcast, Disney, AT&T (which acquired Time Warner), ViacomCBS, News Corp, and Sony—dominate the landscape through extensive mergers and acquisitions over the years. Rupert Murdoch owns News Corp in the United States. News Corp is an American mass media and publishing company that owns several major media outlets, including:
The Wall Street Journal
New York Post
Fox News (through Fox Corporation, which was spun off from 21st Century Fox in 2019)
Murdoch also controls Fox Corporation, which owns Fox News, Fox Broadcasting, and Fox Sports. His media empire has substantial influence in both the U.S. and globally through these outlets. News Corp also has significant international holdings, including media properties in the U.K. and Australia.
This level of consolidation significantly impacts the diversity of viewpoints presented to the public, creating the illusion of choice while actually limiting the range of perspectives available.
In the United Kingdom, media ownership is highly concentrated, with a few corporations controlling the majority of media outlets. The most significant players include companies like the BBC (a public service broadcaster) and large private entities like News UK (owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp), Reach PLC, and DMG Media. These companies control major newspapers, TV, and online platforms, shaping much of the public discourse.
In Australia, the media landscape is similarly concentrated, with a handful of companies dominating the market. News Corp Australia (also owned by Rupert Murdoch) and Nine Entertainment Co. hold significant sway, controlling most of the newspapers and television networks. The Australian media has long been criticized for its lack of diversity due to this high concentration of ownership. Murdoch’s role in media is known for shaping public discourse, particularly through conservative-leaning platforms.
These media conglomerates not only own traditional outlets but also control significant parts of digital media, further shaping what people consume online. They control the narrative through the media. They control the narrative through the political donations to the politicians, who in turn, control public health through the politically appointed directors. We must regain control before it is too late.
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Please let us know what you think about this. Any insights, experiences, or questions are welcome.
People are not even calling their illnesses covid. It’s kiddy crud, a bad cold, a “virus.” The media’s blackout of covid is working. Covid has vanished and people are no longer getting covid. It’s something else.
Sadly, people are dying from the long term effects of covid infections. Sepsis, cardiac arrest, cancer, strokes, etc.
if you want to know what is happening in us healthcare, go to the place Americans go to to raise money- gofundme.
You will see a 30 year old mother of 2 begging for money for her family to raise her children as she is dying from AML.
A young widow raising money as her husband died from sepsis.
A young father raising money to bury his wife and newborn. The baby was stillborn and his wife died from sepsis in the hospital.
So many parents raising money to help with the costs of leukemia in their children.
It goes on and on.
Covid causes all of these ailments.
I am a sepsis survivor. Covid destroys the gut biom, making it easier for bad bacteria to enter our bloodstream. But people don’t know this, even though scientists have since 2020.
I would break if I were not already broken.
PS- my social security disability application for long covid was denied. Having sepsis wasn’t enough to prove my long covid is deadly…and has disabled me.