My MIL had to last week, before a gastric scope. To add insult to misery, they insisted that she drive 40 minutes to get it at a particular location, even though other were available closer.

Thank you for the quick reply. I've been told to report to a drive through facility. The whole thing makes me nervous.

My aunt is having surgery tomorrow. She had to get the test done last week and then isolate until the day of the surgery.

I think that's pretty standard now, Anne. And then to self-isolate until the time of your procedure. What did you decide to do regarding sedation for your scope?

I agree it's pretty standard now. Our daughter had to have one last week for our granddaughter's birth on Saturday (a scheduled C-section).

A friend of mine had a colonoscopy last week, they required a COVID-19 test prior to surgery. She had her test the morning of, with the procedure in the afternoon.

I am getting sedation since either way you have to have a driver with you. I was only thinking about no sedation to avoid exposure from another person--the person who has to drive me there.

I'm still OUT OF MY MIND with fear that I will be exposed to virus and give virus to my elderly Dad who is my roommate! But, I think knowing I'm okay is important too.

It is now standard of treatment at my hospital workplace. Very normal to require the test before treatment. No worries!

Our 5 yr old nephew was tested before having his tonsils out last month. Removing his tonsils was about a 20 minute procedure, but of course he was in the outpatient wing longer with the before, and recovery time. His mother was with him the entire time, his dad in the parking lot.

Do the healthcare workers get regularly tested as well?

Yes, 3 days prior, had to stay isolated for those 3 days. I had an EGD.

Annegriet, I doubt they're testing staff on a regular basis. Probably just screening them for symptoms and checking for fever.

Annie,

They check your temperature everyday. If you get tested, the results are returned with high priority. But no, not regular COVID testing

Tested on Wednesday and had a Cardioversion on Friday.

Soooo the covid test takes over a week to get a result....so not sure what ya'll are getting tested for.

Arcy, that's not true anymore. My first test took 13 days. Second one took 2 days.

When a healthcare worker at my mothers facility was tested for symptoms in March, the results weren't back for two weeks. Negative. When it happened with another (on a Saturday), results were back in 24 hours. Negative,

Now I'm paranoid and upset and not sleeping about riding in the car with someone for the test. It's my close friend. The place is 10-15 minute drive. She says we'll wear masks and drive with windows down. I even bought a face shield for over my mask.

we'll wear masks and drive with windows down ... wash your hands before and after the ride and I think experts would say you're keeping your risks very low. You're doing a good job protecting your parent (it was an elderly parent wasn't it? sorry if I am mis-remembering).

Would it be unreasonable to ask your friend to be tested? If there is a location that will do so even though she has no symptoms.

But I agree, if you are both masked with open windows, your risk is quite low. Likewise, the personnel at the facility will have good masks and the risk of transmission is also low... IFAIK there have been no reports of virus transmission from staff to patients during procedures since they started doing them again last month. The procedure staff aren't out in the main hospital caring for sick patients.

Yes Nickel--my elderly father. Thank you for remembering and saying I am doing a good job. My friend has been careful (the driver). She does has a spouse and child. They are mask wearers when they go out. Several weeks ago they did have a funeral and she did go to work one day--worked all day but 12 feet from coworkers with masks on at all times. I rode the bus home from my biopsy surgery by myself after another friend signed me out of hospital last summer. I really wish i could drive myself. I would feel so much better and safer but I know I can't. I bought a face shield to wear over my mask in the car. I bought one for my friend (Driver) also but I don't know if you can drive with those on.

My granddaughter gets her Covid test tomorrow before having her tonsils out Monday.

Would it be unreasonable to ask your friend to be tested? If there is a location that will do so even though she has no symptoms

I may ask her to take the test although it seems really crazy since she is doing me a favor here. I think there is a place. I'd pay for it and throw in a gift card to a spa for when the craziness is over.

Annegriet, Covid-19 tests are free here, and I would assume they're free everywhere.

I don't know where you live or how many cases are in your area, but I really think you're being way too fearful of the situation, my dear. I think as long as you take precautions everything we be alright. I understand your concerns about your father. My Dh and I are in our 70's and I worry about one of us getting this virus. I worry more about him than myself, because he's in much worse health than me. He doesn't go anywhere except doctor appointments and now has telehealth visits only. I hadn't been anywhere for months, but I've had to go out several times recently ( medical appointments, etc. ). and I'm so afraid I will bring this virus back to him. I take precautions, hope they work, and try to stay calm about it . I think that's all we can do in this situation.

DH was scheduled for a colonoscopy/endoscopy in April. Naturally it was rescheduled-- and he is now scheduled for it next week. They just called today and told him he needs to get the covid test ( drive through) on Thursday. It sure makes sense.

Woodrose--your words were very kind. Thank you.

If you are really concerned about the ride to the test.....just don't talk, and face

forward. This, combined with mask-wearing, will greatly reduce the chance of

inhaling the virus.

I've always had anxiety issues but the pandemic and worrying about my father--well, I think I'm getting a little crackers. I just got back from a long walk with the pup--walking is very good. Wore my mask! Crossed the street whenever I saw one of the maskless.

So now I found out that my friend who is taking me had to work this week. She wore a mask and kept 6 ft social distance. Should I be nervous about getting in car with her? Should I try to find someone else?

What kind of work does she do? Is she an essential front line person who would run into considerable risk while doing her job?

She works in a private school and they have been handing out computers and books and packets of educational materials to summer enrichment programs K-12.

I'm not expert on the virus - if there even is such a thing. But I would think that would be a reasonably safe exercise and I don't think a huge worry to you. Neighbors/close friends own 5 day care centers. She is there every day, and he is in and out with breakfast ingred and lunch, plumbing, repairs of all kinds, grounds keeping (and its quite a bit to keep, everything must be to state specs right down to the size and depth of chips in the play yards). They were considered essential and while they did lay off a few of their 45 employees with benefits, they've worked all along. Not so much as the sniffles and no illness at all among their staff or the children from 6 months to 6th grade.

I've had him here as a driveway guest, had many conversations with him over the last months and not masked outside. While my mother doesn't live here and is in a facility, we've been handling ourselves with her as our primary concern so I do understand your worry with your father. We're now allowed window visits and are seeing her at an opened and screened apartment window once a week.

I think masked, speaking in a normal low voice, I would be comfortable being driven by your friend but of course you know your own comfort level.

ETA: I do remember reading something about an American in Italy going someplace in a car there, it may have been a journalist on assignment. She was stopped by police because her passenger was in the front seat with her, and distancing required they ride in the back seat. In that country, at that time.

annegreit, relax. The odds are with you that your friend is just fine. You just have to go along and do what you have to do.

Quit worrying about it. You take other precautions, and the likelihood of you catching the virus from your friend at that moment are probably much less that you are imagining.

The possibility of it happening and probability of it happening are two different metrics.

Since you invited opinions, I weigh in on the side of "no" that you are asking your friend to wear a face shield. That is above and beyond what is needed. A face shield is more valuable in different situations, and you being in the car together is not one of those situations. I see no way it would make any difference at all, in this situation.

Just wear your masks. It is improbable that you are going to get a virus load from your friend.

It is standard practice for all medical procedures anymore, Husband had to do it last week for some relatively minor surgery that he had.

Sounds like your friend is doing you a favor. You can only make so many demands before the friend may resent them. A face shield is of no value to you. They are more to prevent projecting droplets of wet from getting in your face. They do nothing for aerosol drops of moisture.

I‘m confused. Do you have to have a driver for the COVID-19 test? Are you unable to drive yourself to the testing site? Surely there is no sedation for the test. It is a nasal swab. The newer test are a nasal swab in the front of the nose, totally non-invasive. I had a friend who had it done as a drive-through at Walgreens last week ( for no particular reason other than it was being offered, which is a whole different matter).

I understand having to have a driver for after the procedure if you are being sedated. From everything I’ve read, if you both wear masks, face forward instead of looking toward each other, do not speak forcefully, and have as much fresh air as possible in the car (turn off the recirculating option on the air conditioner), you should be fine.

In the meantime, perhaps your doctor would be willing to give you medication to help you better cope with your anxieties.

I am driving myself to the Covid test. It's the colonoscopy that I need the driver. My friend understands my anxieties. Her husband may drive me now. He stays at home all day. Although not sure if that matters--he is exposed to her germs. They have a suburban so that helps too. I know I'm absolutely bonkers by the way. I just can't help it at the moment and I appreciate all of your ideas, reassurances, good wishes, and warmth.

Do you think I could walk home with a friend? I'm in terrific shape!

Annie, you may be in terrific shape, but the last time I had a colonoscopy, I was so woozie, it was all I could do to walk to the car, even though they used Propofol which is very short acting. Know anyone with a pickup truck? You could ride home sitting in the bed. I know that sounds snarky, but I’m serious. It would obviate the need for you to be close to anyone else.

I sure hope that's not going to be standard practice. I"ll walk out. You can temp test me, but no to the swab.

It's not that it will be standard practice, it's standard practice now. Of the 27,000 positive cases in this state, the highest number of infections (37 percent) is among workers in health care and social assistance. They have to protect themselves or none of us will have care when needed. Maybe they will wave bye to you as you walk.

Hidden, Unless "Hiden" is your name, you have misspelled "hidden". Is there some political reason that you would not want to know if you have covid? I can't help but speculate that you objection is a political stance and not based in science or knowledge. Or, perhaps you have a fear of the swab test for some other reason?

You won't receive any medical treatment in this country unless you take a covid test. It is more to protect others. It is your choice and the choice to deny it may not serve you well.

Annie, I know you are worried, but calm down before you work yourself into a panic. Wear your mask, wash your hands or use sanitizer often, and keep Social distancing. Your friend is doing you a favor...please do not ask her to attempt to drive with a full face protector...that could interfere with her sight for driving and you could end up in an accident! Relax!

I’m going to have a knee replacement the end of July on a Monday. Have to be tested the Wednesday before.

dallasannie, it's more than okay to ignore people like that. Those with such attitudes have nothing thoughtful to add to any conversation.

"Wear your mask, wash your hands or use sanitizer often, and keep Social distancing. "

Wearing a mask other than a 3M N95 type provides the wearer with little or no protection.

(Why is this fact something so many have trouble understanding?)

Elmer, we all know that wearing a mask protects others and it doesn't protect us, or most people should know that by now. I just wish more people could understand how important it is to follow the recommended procedures to keep this disease from spreading.

Annegriet, I hope you can find some way to relieve your anxiety about being around others. I really doubt that you'll contract Covid-19 or bring it home to your husband by making one trip. I'll pray that you and your husband are kept safe.

woodrose, I quoted the comment I was referring to because it strongly suggests the writer doesn't understand.