3. Where can I get tested? Should I get tested? Which tests are valid?
If you intend on going back to work or are increasing your level of activity outside your home you should consider getting tested. You may be asked to be tested before accessing a healthcare facility as a visitor or patient as non-emergency procedures restart.
The ability to get tested varies depending on the state or country you’re living in. Some states have opened up testing for anyone who would like to receive one, while others are still limited for those who have symptoms or require an appointment with a healthcare provider. Each state has resources through its Department of Health which provides specific information regarding who is able to get tested, how you can get tested, and the locations of testing sites. The European CDC provides similar information for European Union countries. As testing has become more widely available, we recommend getting tested as your area begins to reopen.
There are two different types of COVID-19 tests that you can currently take. They are the viral test and the antibody test. The viral test is diagnostic and reports if you currently have COVID-19. The test uses respiratory system samples to identify if the virus is present in your body. The second test, the antibody test, checks for the presence of COVID-19 antibodies via blood sample, which indicates a past infection. You can receive one through a healthcare provider or through LabCorp. For more information about antibodies and the tests, Dr. Saima Ajaz discussed this important topic on a recent GLI Live episode.
4. I am immunocompromised, should I go back to work? What are my rights?
Many people who have an immunocompromised status have been working throughout the pandemic, including nurses, physicians, grocery and other essential workers on the front lines, protecting themselves as best they can through strict personal hygiene and use of personal protective equipment. Schoolteachers and others who have been able to work from home are now in negotiations with state and local governments given that, as a population, their vulnerability differs significantly from the children they teach.
Telework remains the best option for vulnerable people until we get a treatment and/or vaccine, but your ability to do so depends on a patchwork of state and federal legal rights.
Depending on the industry and position, many employers are choosing to permit teleworking into 2021. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has created a COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace document interpreting the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which indicates that telework is an effective method to control the spread of the virus and to protect employees. Requesting telework is considered to be a reasonable accommodation by the ADA for those who qualify.