Another work trip to Hilo meant another COVID-19 test. I returned to the airport for the National Kidney Foundation testing.
Unlike the last time I went there, the line was very, very long, and there was no designated "travel" line. Instead, there were two "general" lines, and I just went to the shortest one.
If you have kids, or if you're squeamish, or if you've never taken the test before, this testing facility may not be ideal, as you are out in the open when you get tested. That means everyone waiting can watch you, and that you
will witness a lot of people sneezing (sneezing happens a lot!).
However, the staff advises people to keep masks on their mouths when swabbing their nose in case of sneezing.
And because everyone waiting to get tested can see you, they'll also hear you gag, cough, cry... it can be quite unnerving for first-timers!
If you rather take the test in the privacy of your own vehicle, look for a drive-thru testing facility.
My results came back in 5 hours, however, like the last time, there was a timestamp issue. Fortunately, this time around the timestamp did not affect the 72-hour window of my departure flight, but the timestamp on my test was before I even arrived to the facility! I do not know what generates the timestamp (and when I had the issue the last time, the lab employee told me she wasn't aware of how it's generated either), but the collection timestamp was 9 minutes before I arrived and paid, 33 minutes before I actually got to the registration window, and 43 minutes before I actually took the test.
The National Kidney Foundation testing is cheaper than many other places, and I will likely go there again, but I will continue to make sure I do not go so close to the 72 hour mark.
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