Active Prevention
Experiencing nucleic acid test in Beijing
Afew weeks after the resurgence of COVID -19 cases in the city of Beijing, a colleague asked if I wanted to join the rest of my workmates in getting a nucleic acid test. My first instinct was, NO! I don’t need a nucleic acid test, but everyone else I asked was just so calm and cool about it, making me feel kind of silly.
Actually I didn’t worry about the resurgence much at that time. I often distanced myself from the reality of the existence of COVID -19 and when new infections emerged in Beijing, the thought of voluntarily getting a nucleic acid test still hadn’t dawned on me. I just thought, oh well more masks, more sanitizers and lockdowns, the virus is away from me!
I was, however, curious to know what it actually feels like to get a nucleic acid test. But I dreaded coming into contact with any frontline medical workers, maybe partly because of their protective gear and my crazy notions about the test. Now, the reality of the virus appearing again in my city of residence, along with thoughts of me previously visiting busy malls and markets and using public transport to work, made me realize that I need to be responsible enough to get tested.
I soon found myself in a queue with my co-workers ready to get tested. Being with people I knew gave me more confidence. As I approached my turn, out of curiosity I decided to time the whole process from when I joined the queue to when I’d leave the testing seat.
Our names were called out by the nurses who then handed out test tubes to each one of us. I received mine. It had my name correctly spelt on it. Again that gave me more confidence, in that although the test was being conducted in an open public space with hundreds of people, it was fast, efficient and accurate.
Still timing the process, it was now my turn to get tested. The nurse called out my name again and I approached the testing seat. She held a cotton swab and asked me to remove my mask and open my mouth wide. She swirled the swab in and around and toward the back of my throat. It felt a little uncomfortable and ticklish, but all I could think of at that moment was to cooperate. Done! I put my face-mask back on. The swabbing process alone took less than 10 seconds. I got up and made way for the next person to get tested. I checked my stop watch again. The whole procedure from queuing up and getting tested took exactly four minutes 52 seconds.
Suddenly, I realized that these frontline medical workers in white protective gear are not as intimidating as I had perceived. Some are perhaps mothers too, just like me, but are literally putting their own lives on the line to make sure we are all safe.
Before the week was over my results were available on the mobile Health Kit, also known as Jiankangbao. I was negative. I also received a medical slip confirming the same result. It wasn’t that hard after all. What could be more reassuring to me than knowing my health status in the middle of a pandemic? Although relieved about my result, to me it means I should still wear a face mask in public, wash and sanitize my hands frequently, eat healthily, avoid crowded places and exercise all other prescribed health measures to stay safe. Compared to my attitude before, I no longer distance myself from the reality of the presence of COVID -19. I feel better for having done the test. CA
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