This just in: I took 6 COVID tests in 9 days. All negative.

I needed a chest X-ray so the doctor told me to take a home test. If the test was positive, I should stay home. If the test was negative, I needed to come in and take a “real” test before they would e-X-ray me. The home test was test #1.

The home test was negative so I went to the doctor’s and took the “real” test which was test #2.

I was flying to Europe on a Tuesday so I needed to take a rapid PCR test withing 48 hours of travel. I found a CVS site online that did such a test and I scheduled it for Monday (24 hours before my flight). It seems no one tests on Sunday so I had to cut it close. No worries, this was going to be a rapid test. I get to CVS and they say, “Yes, some of our sites have rapid tests but this one doesn’t. I don’t care that the website you used to schedule this test told you differently.” I took the test knowing that the results may not be ready in time for my flight. That was test #3. (Cost $136)

Since CVS was not guaranteeing my results on time, I scheduled a rapid test at the airport 4 hours before my flight. This was test #4. Cost ($240)

I go to Budapest for a couple of days. I’m returning on a Sunday so I scheduled a test 28 hours before my flight. This was test #5. (Cost $50)

The morning before my flight, I’m checking to make sure I have met all the testing requirements; especially the 48 hour thing. As I scroll through all the fine print, I discover that a test is needed within 48 hours before most destinations but….if you are flying to the United States, I needed to have a test within 24 hours. So, I got in the car and drove down and took test #6. (Cost $50)

So, 6 tests in 9 days at a cost of nearly $500. All negative.

I am not anti-mask. I am not anti-vax. However, I am really, really getting tired of all this.

Time to save the world.

Up, up and away…

Jim