Coronavirus Resources and ExplainersCoronavirus Resources and Explainers
Got COVID (Again)? Here's What the CDC Says About 2024 Isolation Guidelines
COVID Levels in Bay Area Wastewater Are Now as High as the Winter Peak
How to Attend a Rally Safely in the Bay Area: Your Rights, Protections and the Police
Today Is Your Last Chance to Order Free COVID Tests via USPS
A New COVID Vaccine Dose Is Now Available for People Age 65 and Older. Where Can You Find a Shot Near You?
Why Your Negative COVID Test Might Be Less Reliable in 2024
The JN.1 COVID Variant: Symptoms, Incubation Period and When to Test
How to Ventilate Your Home For the Holidays to Help Reduce COVID Risks
Need a Free COVID Test? Try Your Local Public Library
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She's formerly the host of \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/pop/category/the-cooler/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Cooler\u003c/a> podcast.","avatar":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2d8d6765f186e64c798cf7f0c8088a41?s=600&d=blank&r=g","twitter":"teacupinthebay","facebook":null,"instagram":null,"linkedin":null,"sites":[{"site":"","roles":["editor"]},{"site":"arts","roles":["editor"]},{"site":"news","roles":["administrator"]},{"site":"pop","roles":["editor"]},{"site":"futureofyou","roles":["editor"]},{"site":"about","roles":["administrator"]},{"site":"mindshift","roles":["editor"]},{"site":"bayareabites","roles":["editor"]},{"site":"stateofhealth","roles":["editor"]},{"site":"science","roles":["editor"]},{"site":"food","roles":["contributor"]},{"site":"forum","roles":["editor"]},{"site":"perspectives","roles":["administrator"]}],"headData":{"title":"Carly Severn | KQED","description":"Senior Editor, Audience News ","ogImgSrc":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2d8d6765f186e64c798cf7f0c8088a41?s=600&d=blank&r=g","twImgSrc":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2d8d6765f186e64c798cf7f0c8088a41?s=600&d=blank&r=g"},"isLoading":false,"link":"/author/carlysevern"},"sjohnson":{"type":"authors","id":"11840","meta":{"index":"authors_1716337520","id":"11840","found":true},"name":"Sydney Johnson","firstName":"Sydney","lastName":"Johnson","slug":"sjohnson","email":"sjohnson@kqed.org","display_author_email":false,"staff_mastheads":["news"],"title":"KQED Reporter","bio":"Sydney Johnson is a general assignment reporter at KQED. She previously reported on public health and city government at the San Francisco Examiner, and before that, she covered statewide education policy for EdSource. Her reporting has won multiple local, state and national awards. Sydney is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and lives in San Francisco.","avatar":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/97855f2719b72ad6190b7c535fe642c8?s=600&d=blank&r=g","twitter":"sydneyfjohnson","facebook":null,"instagram":null,"linkedin":null,"sites":[{"site":"news","roles":["editor"]}],"headData":{"title":"Sydney Johnson | KQED","description":"KQED Reporter","ogImgSrc":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/97855f2719b72ad6190b7c535fe642c8?s=600&d=blank&r=g","twImgSrc":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/97855f2719b72ad6190b7c535fe642c8?s=600&d=blank&r=g"},"isLoading":false,"link":"/author/sjohnson"}},"breakingNewsReducer":{},"campaignFinanceReducer":{},"firebase":{"requesting":{},"requested":{},"timestamps":{},"data":{},"ordered":{},"auth":{"isLoaded":false,"isEmpty":true},"authError":null,"profile":{"isLoaded":false,"isEmpty":true},"listeners":{"byId":{},"allIds":[]},"isInitializing":false,"errors":[]},"navBarReducer":{"navBarId":"news","fullView":true,"showPlayer":false},"navMenuReducer":{"menus":[{"key":"menu1","items":[{"name":"News","link":"/","type":"title"},{"name":"Politics","link":"/politics"},{"name":"Science","link":"/science"},{"name":"Education","link":"/educationnews"},{"name":"Housing","link":"/housing"},{"name":"Immigration","link":"/immigration"},{"name":"Criminal Justice","link":"/criminaljustice"},{"name":"Silicon Valley","link":"/siliconvalley"},{"name":"Forum","link":"/forum"},{"name":"The California Report","link":"/californiareport"}]},{"key":"menu2","items":[{"name":"Arts & Culture","link":"/arts","type":"title"},{"name":"Critics’ Picks","link":"/thedolist"},{"name":"Cultural Commentary","link":"/artscommentary"},{"name":"Food & Drink","link":"/food"},{"name":"Bay Area Hip-Hop","link":"/bayareahiphop"},{"name":"Rebel Girls","link":"/rebelgirls"},{"name":"Arts Video","link":"/artsvideos"}]},{"key":"menu3","items":[{"name":"Podcasts","link":"/podcasts","type":"title"},{"name":"Bay Curious","link":"/podcasts/baycurious"},{"name":"Rightnowish","link":"/podcasts/rightnowish"},{"name":"The Bay","link":"/podcasts/thebay"},{"name":"On Our Watch","link":"/podcasts/onourwatch"},{"name":"Mindshift","link":"/podcasts/mindshift"},{"name":"Consider This","link":"/podcasts/considerthis"},{"name":"Political Breakdown","link":"/podcasts/politicalbreakdown"}]},{"key":"menu4","items":[{"name":"Live Radio","link":"/radio","type":"title"},{"name":"TV","link":"/tv","type":"title"},{"name":"Events","link":"/events","type":"title"},{"name":"For Educators","link":"/education","type":"title"},{"name":"Support KQED","link":"/support","type":"title"},{"name":"About","link":"/about","type":"title"},{"name":"Help Center","link":"https://kqed-helpcenter.kqed.org/s","type":"title"}]}]},"pagesReducer":{},"postsReducer":{"stream_live":{"type":"live","id":"stream_live","audioUrl":"https://streams.kqed.org/kqedradio","title":"Live Stream","excerpt":"Live Stream information currently unavailable.","link":"/radio","featImg":"","label":{"name":"KQED Live","link":"/"}},"stream_kqedNewscast":{"type":"posts","id":"stream_kqedNewscast","audioUrl":"https://www.kqed.org/.stream/anon/radio/RDnews/newscast.mp3?_=1","title":"KQED Newscast","featImg":"","label":{"name":"88.5 FM","link":"/"}},"news_11973108":{"type":"posts","id":"news_11973108","meta":{"index":"posts_1716263798","site":"news","id":"11973108","score":null,"sort":[1720810627000]},"guestAuthors":[],"slug":"how-long-to-isolate-with-covid-in-2024-california-now-says-that-depends-on-symptoms","title":"Got COVID (Again)? Here's What the CDC Says About 2024 Isolation Guidelines","publishDate":1720810627,"format":"standard","headTitle":"Got COVID (Again)? Here’s What the CDC Says About 2024 Isolation Guidelines | KQED","labelTerm":{"site":"news"},"content":"\u003cp>We’re now in the fifth year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and still \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11987343/covid-bay-area-wastewater-variant-symptoms-isolation-guidance\">the virus continues to spread\u003c/a>. And after several years of evolving guidelines and best practices from public health officials, if you’re unclear on the current recommendations on what anyone with COVID-19 should actually \u003cem>do\u003c/em> when it comes to what we all used to call “quarantine,” you’re definitely not alone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This spring, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially revised their national guidance for how long people with COVID-19 should isolate from others — saying that \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p0301-respiratory-virus.html\">COVID-positive people can now return to work or regular activities\u003c/a> once their symptoms are “improving overall,” and they’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without use of a fever-reducing medication. The CDC’s new isolation guidelines have been in effect since March 1.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Previously, the CDC advised that people who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate from other people for at least five days, regardless of the severity of their symptoms — or whether they had symptoms at all. Now, the CDC says that the number of days you isolate for instead depends on how long you have symptoms, which could be longer (or shorter) than five days.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for a breakdown of the CDC’s 2024 COVID-19 isolation guidelines, how they’re different to the recommendations you may have become used to over the past few years and how to think about the risk your positive COVID-19 test still poses to others.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#positive\">\u003cstrong>I tested positive. How do the CDC’s latest COVID isolation guidelines work?\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#different\">Are California’s isolation guidelines any different from the CDC’s?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#change\">\u003cstrong>Why did public health officials change COVID isolation guidelines?\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#public\">\u003cstrong>Why do officials think it’s safe for asymptomatic COVID-positive folks to be in public?\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#concerns\">\u003cstrong>What are the concerns over this latest guidance?\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I just tested positive. How do the CDC’s latest COVID isolation guidelines work?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>According to the CDC, you should isolate from other people for as long as you’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms that aren’t improving.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>When can I start to consider leaving isolation, according to the CDC?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once your symptoms start improving, \u003cem>and\u003c/em> any fever you’ve had has been gone for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication, the CDC says that you can exit isolation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But you’ll need both of these things — symptoms improving and the absence of fever for more than a day — to happen before you can leave isolation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So if your fever has been gone more than 24 hours but your other symptoms haven’t improved, you still need to keep isolating until they do improve, says the CDC. And if your other symptoms get better but you get a new fever, you need to keep isolating (or go back into isolation) until that fever has been gone for 24 hours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(Remember, there’s growing evidence that\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11972313/negative-covid-test-incubation-period\"> some people take longer to get a positive test on an at-home antigen test.\u003c/a> If you have symptoms but have tested negative, don’t assume it means you’re COVID-free. \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html\">The CDC recommends that you take another antigen test 48 hours later\u003c/a> and then test again after another 48 hours. (You can also \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know#freecovidtests\">seek out a PCR test\u003c/a>, which is more sensitive.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11993742\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11993742\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/covid-isolation.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1912\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/covid-isolation.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/covid-isolation-800x797.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/covid-isolation-1020x1016.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/covid-isolation-160x159.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/covid-isolation-1536x1530.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A visualization of the CDC’s 2024 guidelines around isolating with COVID \u003ccite>(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What should I do when I leave isolation, according to the CDC?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once your COVID-19 symptoms are mild and improving for at least 24 hours, and any fever has been gone without the aid of medication for that period of time, the CDC says that you should still take “added precaution over the next 5 days.” These precautions include:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Taking additional \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/air-quality.html\">steps for cleaner air.\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/hygiene.html\">Taking additional steps for hygiene.\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Wearing \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/masks.html\">a mask around others\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Maintaining \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/physical-distancing.html\">physical distance \u003c/a>around others.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/testing.html\">Testing \u003c/a>when you will be around other people indoors.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The CDC recommends that you “keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better.” How much less contagious you actually are during this time “depend[s] on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were,” says the CDC.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html\">See the CDC’s visualizations of different isolation timelines for people who test positive for COVID.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What if I test positive but don’t have any symptoms?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You may be contagious,” says the CDC, so assume that you are, for the safety of those around you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CDC recommends that for five days after you test positive without symptoms, you should take those same added precautions they advise for symptomatic people once they leave isolation: masking, creating cleaner air, enhanced hygiene and physical distancing. This is, the agency says, “especially important to protect people with factors that increase their risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Are California’s isolation guidelines any different from the CDC’s?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>No. \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Respiratory-Viruses/Home.aspx\">California’s own online resources around COVID-19\u003c/a> and other respiratory viruses now recommend that Californians with COVID-19 refer directly to \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html\">the CDC’s guidelines around isolation\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you feel like the state’s quarantine guidance used to be different to the CDC’s, you’re not imagining it — they were. Back in January, when the CDC was still recommending that people who test positive should stay away from other people for at least five days regardless of whether or not they had symptoms, the California Department of Public Health announced it was softening those guidelines for Californians — and was instead advising a move away from the five-day rule in favor of “instead focus[ing] on clinical symptoms to determine when to end isolation.” Then in March, the CDC’s own update isolation guidance almost exactly resembled the policy California had adopted a few months earlier.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The biggest difference between \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID-19-Isolation-Guidance.aspx#\">California’s January guidelines\u003c/a> and the CDC’s revised advice was what people who test positive for COVID but do \u003cem>not\u003c/em> have symptoms — known as asymptomatic infections — should do when it comes to isolation and avoiding infecting others. \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID-19-Isolation-Guidance.aspx#\">The state said that asymptomatic people with COVID should wear a mask indoors around others for 10 days\u003c/a> and avoid higher-risk people for the same duration. \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html\">The CDC’s update noted that asymptomatic people “may be contagious”\u003c/a> and should only take “added precautions[s],” including possible masking, for five days — advice that California’s public health officials have now also adopted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California’s January guidelines also recommended that \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID-19-Isolation-Guidance.aspx#\">COVID-positive people with symptoms should mask \u003c/a>around other people indoors for a full 10 days after their positive test or symptom onset. Now that California public health officials are directing state residents to the CDC’s own advice, this 10-day requirement is no longer mentioned.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The March 1 update represented the first time during the pandemic that the CDC had moved away from set periods of isolation for people with COVID. At the outset of the pandemic in 2020, the CDC stipulated a 10-day period of isolation for COVID-positive patients —\u003ca href=\"https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html\"> a period shortened to five days in December 2021\u003c/a>. This update was still accompanied by guidance to wear a well-fitted mask for another five days.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What else do you need information about right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Why did public health officials make this change to COVID isolation guidelines?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The CDC says that this latest guidance “brings a unified approach to addressing risks from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses,” bundling guidance on COVID into that for other viruses like flu and RSV as \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/guidance/respiratory-virus-guidance.html\">one set of Respiratory Virus Guidance\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Doing this, said the agency, “makes recommendations easier to follow and thus more likely to be adopted and does not rely on individuals to test for illness, a practice that data indicates is uneven.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>CDPH says that in 2024, the agency’s “policies and priorities for intervention are now \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID-19-Isolation-Guidance.aspx#\">focused on protecting those most at risk for serious illness while reducing social disruption \u003c/a>that is disproportionate to recommendations for the prevention of other endemic respiratory viral infections.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Why does the state now think it’s safe for asymptomatic COVID-positive folks to be in public?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>After over four years of public health policy at the federal and state levels that’s emphasized “If you’re COVID-positive, stay the heck away from other people,” the 2024 update might seem jarring to you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There’s also the fact that since 2020, we’ve been told that not only can asymptomatic people be contagious with COVID-19, they might be responsible for fueling a lot of the spread of COVID-19 — because those folks are so often unaware they even have the virus.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We know that you can be contagious without symptoms,” said Dr. Abraar Karan, an infectious disease physician and researcher at Stanford University. “We also know that symptomatology can increase the risk of transmission. So if you’re coughing and sneezing, you’re probably emitting more viral particles.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_11968709 hero='https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/GettyImages-1447896208-1020x680.jpg']This latest guidance focuses on symptomatic people as posing the \u003ci>most \u003c/i>risk to others, noted Karan — hence the continuing recommendation that those people stay home until those symptoms get milder.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are the concerns over this latest guidance?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Karan says he’d have liked to have seen California public health officials give the public more information about “the rationale behind why they were doing it,” so that the public could understand that this guidance wasn’t a green light to go out into the world with COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If they’d said, ‘People that are not symptomatic can be contagious, but it’s less likely, and people without symptoms are likely going to be shedding less virus, so if you wear a high filtration mask, your risk of infecting others is quite low, and that’s why we’re doing it’? I think that would have made a lot of sense,” Karan says.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/health/2024/01/california-covid-rule-isolation/\">Calmatters has reported that disability and equity advocates particularly criticized the latest guidelines when they were first announced by California health officials\u003c/a>, saying the guidance could increase the risk of infection for Californians most vulnerable to severe illness or death from the virus.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This policy is not based in science, equity or public health,” Lisa McCorkell, cofounder of the Patient-Led Research Collaborative that studies the impacts of long COVID, told CalMatters. “It devalues the lives of immunocompromised and disabled people and completely ignores \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11950643/screaming-into-a-void-long-covid-patients-have-waited-in-vain-for-years-for-treatments\">the risk of long COVID\u003c/a>.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Michelle Gutierrez Vo, a registered nurse with Kaiser Permanente and a president of the California Nurses Association, echoed these concerns back when CDPH announced their guidelines relaxing isolation requirements, calling them “a step backwards from protecting public health” and “very dangerous.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“High risk people do not walk around with a flag saying ‘I am high risk,’ so then the people that are COVID-positive can identify them and stay away from them,” said Gutierrez Vo. “It doesn’t work that way.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So therefore, if you cannot be selective of who you need to be getting away from, then there just has to be a general understanding or a mandate — which is what we had — to make sure to protect the general public. It is the Department of Public Health’s responsibility to uphold public health, and they are not doing that with this new guidance,” said Gutierrez Vo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On the risks of long COVID, Gutierrez Vo said that California’s relaxing of isolation protocol\u003cem> “\u003c/em>puts everyone in danger.” COVID, she said, “is not like any other respiratory illness. When you have flu and you get over it, it doesn’t have long term effects. When you have RSV, or any other respiratory illness like a viral syndrome, it doesn’t damage your kidney or it doesn’t damage your heart.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story contains reporting by KQED’s Lesley McClurg. An earlier version of this story originally published on March 4.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2024. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID-19\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger and help us decide what to cover here on our site and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[hearken id=\"10483\" src=\"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js\"]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n","blocks":[],"excerpt":"California's latest isolation guidelines for people who test positive for COVID-19 includes the guidance that people without symptoms no longer have to isolate. Here's what you need to know.","status":"publish","parent":0,"modified":1720812899,"stats":{"hasAudio":false,"hasVideo":false,"hasChartOrMap":false,"iframeSrcs":[],"hasGoogleForm":false,"hasGallery":false,"hasHearkenModule":true,"hasPolis":false,"paragraphCount":45,"wordCount":2276},"headData":{"title":"Got COVID (Again)? Here's What the CDC Says About 2024 Isolation Guidelines | KQED","description":"California's latest isolation guidelines for people who test positive for COVID-19 includes the guidance that people without symptoms no longer have to isolate. Here's what you need to know.","ogTitle":"","ogDescription":"","ogImgId":"","twTitle":"","twDescription":"","twImgId":"","schema":{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Got COVID (Again)? Here's What the CDC Says About 2024 Isolation Guidelines","datePublished":"2024-07-12T11:57:07-07:00","dateModified":"2024-07-12T12:34:59-07:00","image":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png","isAccessibleForFree":"True","publisher":{"@type":"NewsMediaOrganization","@id":"https://www.kqed.org/#organization","name":"KQED","url":"https://www.kqed.org","logo":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"}}},"sticky":false,"excludeFromSiteSearch":"Include","articleAge":"0","path":"/news/11973108/how-long-to-isolate-with-covid-in-2024-california-now-says-that-depends-on-symptoms","audioTrackLength":null,"parsedContent":[{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>We’re now in the fifth year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and still \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11987343/covid-bay-area-wastewater-variant-symptoms-isolation-guidance\">the virus continues to spread\u003c/a>. And after several years of evolving guidelines and best practices from public health officials, if you’re unclear on the current recommendations on what anyone with COVID-19 should actually \u003cem>do\u003c/em> when it comes to what we all used to call “quarantine,” you’re definitely not alone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This spring, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially revised their national guidance for how long people with COVID-19 should isolate from others — saying that \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p0301-respiratory-virus.html\">COVID-positive people can now return to work or regular activities\u003c/a> once their symptoms are “improving overall,” and they’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without use of a fever-reducing medication. The CDC’s new isolation guidelines have been in effect since March 1.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Previously, the CDC advised that people who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate from other people for at least five days, regardless of the severity of their symptoms — or whether they had symptoms at all. Now, the CDC says that the number of days you isolate for instead depends on how long you have symptoms, which could be longer (or shorter) than five days.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for a breakdown of the CDC’s 2024 COVID-19 isolation guidelines, how they’re different to the recommendations you may have become used to over the past few years and how to think about the risk your positive COVID-19 test still poses to others.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#positive\">\u003cstrong>I tested positive. How do the CDC’s latest COVID isolation guidelines work?\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#different\">Are California’s isolation guidelines any different from the CDC’s?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#change\">\u003cstrong>Why did public health officials change COVID isolation guidelines?\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#public\">\u003cstrong>Why do officials think it’s safe for asymptomatic COVID-positive folks to be in public?\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#concerns\">\u003cstrong>What are the concerns over this latest guidance?\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"fullwidth"},"numeric":["fullwidth"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I just tested positive. How do the CDC’s latest COVID isolation guidelines work?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>According to the CDC, you should isolate from other people for as long as you’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms that aren’t improving.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>When can I start to consider leaving isolation, according to the CDC?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once your symptoms start improving, \u003cem>and\u003c/em> any fever you’ve had has been gone for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication, the CDC says that you can exit isolation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But you’ll need both of these things — symptoms improving and the absence of fever for more than a day — to happen before you can leave isolation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So if your fever has been gone more than 24 hours but your other symptoms haven’t improved, you still need to keep isolating until they do improve, says the CDC. And if your other symptoms get better but you get a new fever, you need to keep isolating (or go back into isolation) until that fever has been gone for 24 hours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(Remember, there’s growing evidence that\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11972313/negative-covid-test-incubation-period\"> some people take longer to get a positive test on an at-home antigen test.\u003c/a> If you have symptoms but have tested negative, don’t assume it means you’re COVID-free. \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html\">The CDC recommends that you take another antigen test 48 hours later\u003c/a> and then test again after another 48 hours. (You can also \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know#freecovidtests\">seek out a PCR test\u003c/a>, which is more sensitive.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11993742\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11993742\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/covid-isolation.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1912\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/covid-isolation.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/covid-isolation-800x797.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/covid-isolation-1020x1016.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/covid-isolation-160x159.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/covid-isolation-1536x1530.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A visualization of the CDC’s 2024 guidelines around isolating with COVID \u003ccite>(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What should I do when I leave isolation, according to the CDC?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once your COVID-19 symptoms are mild and improving for at least 24 hours, and any fever has been gone without the aid of medication for that period of time, the CDC says that you should still take “added precaution over the next 5 days.” These precautions include:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Taking additional \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/air-quality.html\">steps for cleaner air.\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/hygiene.html\">Taking additional steps for hygiene.\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Wearing \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/masks.html\">a mask around others\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Maintaining \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/physical-distancing.html\">physical distance \u003c/a>around others.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/testing.html\">Testing \u003c/a>when you will be around other people indoors.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The CDC recommends that you “keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better.” How much less contagious you actually are during this time “depend[s] on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were,” says the CDC.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html\">See the CDC’s visualizations of different isolation timelines for people who test positive for COVID.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What if I test positive but don’t have any symptoms?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You may be contagious,” says the CDC, so assume that you are, for the safety of those around you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CDC recommends that for five days after you test positive without symptoms, you should take those same added precautions they advise for symptomatic people once they leave isolation: masking, creating cleaner air, enhanced hygiene and physical distancing. This is, the agency says, “especially important to protect people with factors that increase their risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Are California’s isolation guidelines any different from the CDC’s?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>No. \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Respiratory-Viruses/Home.aspx\">California’s own online resources around COVID-19\u003c/a> and other respiratory viruses now recommend that Californians with COVID-19 refer directly to \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html\">the CDC’s guidelines around isolation\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you feel like the state’s quarantine guidance used to be different to the CDC’s, you’re not imagining it — they were. Back in January, when the CDC was still recommending that people who test positive should stay away from other people for at least five days regardless of whether or not they had symptoms, the California Department of Public Health announced it was softening those guidelines for Californians — and was instead advising a move away from the five-day rule in favor of “instead focus[ing] on clinical symptoms to determine when to end isolation.” Then in March, the CDC’s own update isolation guidance almost exactly resembled the policy California had adopted a few months earlier.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The biggest difference between \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID-19-Isolation-Guidance.aspx#\">California’s January guidelines\u003c/a> and the CDC’s revised advice was what people who test positive for COVID but do \u003cem>not\u003c/em> have symptoms — known as asymptomatic infections — should do when it comes to isolation and avoiding infecting others. \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID-19-Isolation-Guidance.aspx#\">The state said that asymptomatic people with COVID should wear a mask indoors around others for 10 days\u003c/a> and avoid higher-risk people for the same duration. \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html\">The CDC’s update noted that asymptomatic people “may be contagious”\u003c/a> and should only take “added precautions[s],” including possible masking, for five days — advice that California’s public health officials have now also adopted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California’s January guidelines also recommended that \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID-19-Isolation-Guidance.aspx#\">COVID-positive people with symptoms should mask \u003c/a>around other people indoors for a full 10 days after their positive test or symptom onset. Now that California public health officials are directing state residents to the CDC’s own advice, this 10-day requirement is no longer mentioned.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The March 1 update represented the first time during the pandemic that the CDC had moved away from set periods of isolation for people with COVID. At the outset of the pandemic in 2020, the CDC stipulated a 10-day period of isolation for COVID-positive patients —\u003ca href=\"https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html\"> a period shortened to five days in December 2021\u003c/a>. This update was still accompanied by guidance to wear a well-fitted mask for another five days.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What else do you need information about right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"fullwidth"},"numeric":["fullwidth"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Why did public health officials make this change to COVID isolation guidelines?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The CDC says that this latest guidance “brings a unified approach to addressing risks from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses,” bundling guidance on COVID into that for other viruses like flu and RSV as \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/guidance/respiratory-virus-guidance.html\">one set of Respiratory Virus Guidance\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Doing this, said the agency, “makes recommendations easier to follow and thus more likely to be adopted and does not rely on individuals to test for illness, a practice that data indicates is uneven.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>CDPH says that in 2024, the agency’s “policies and priorities for intervention are now \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID-19-Isolation-Guidance.aspx#\">focused on protecting those most at risk for serious illness while reducing social disruption \u003c/a>that is disproportionate to recommendations for the prevention of other endemic respiratory viral infections.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Why does the state now think it’s safe for asymptomatic COVID-positive folks to be in public?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>After over four years of public health policy at the federal and state levels that’s emphasized “If you’re COVID-positive, stay the heck away from other people,” the 2024 update might seem jarring to you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There’s also the fact that since 2020, we’ve been told that not only can asymptomatic people be contagious with COVID-19, they might be responsible for fueling a lot of the spread of COVID-19 — because those folks are so often unaware they even have the virus.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We know that you can be contagious without symptoms,” said Dr. Abraar Karan, an infectious disease physician and researcher at Stanford University. “We also know that symptomatology can increase the risk of transmission. So if you’re coughing and sneezing, you’re probably emitting more viral particles.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"aside","attributes":{"named":{"postid":"news_11968709","hero":"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/GettyImages-1447896208-1020x680.jpg","label":""},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>This latest guidance focuses on symptomatic people as posing the \u003ci>most \u003c/i>risk to others, noted Karan — hence the continuing recommendation that those people stay home until those symptoms get milder.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are the concerns over this latest guidance?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Karan says he’d have liked to have seen California public health officials give the public more information about “the rationale behind why they were doing it,” so that the public could understand that this guidance wasn’t a green light to go out into the world with COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If they’d said, ‘People that are not symptomatic can be contagious, but it’s less likely, and people without symptoms are likely going to be shedding less virus, so if you wear a high filtration mask, your risk of infecting others is quite low, and that’s why we’re doing it’? I think that would have made a lot of sense,” Karan says.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/health/2024/01/california-covid-rule-isolation/\">Calmatters has reported that disability and equity advocates particularly criticized the latest guidelines when they were first announced by California health officials\u003c/a>, saying the guidance could increase the risk of infection for Californians most vulnerable to severe illness or death from the virus.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This policy is not based in science, equity or public health,” Lisa McCorkell, cofounder of the Patient-Led Research Collaborative that studies the impacts of long COVID, told CalMatters. “It devalues the lives of immunocompromised and disabled people and completely ignores \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11950643/screaming-into-a-void-long-covid-patients-have-waited-in-vain-for-years-for-treatments\">the risk of long COVID\u003c/a>.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Michelle Gutierrez Vo, a registered nurse with Kaiser Permanente and a president of the California Nurses Association, echoed these concerns back when CDPH announced their guidelines relaxing isolation requirements, calling them “a step backwards from protecting public health” and “very dangerous.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“High risk people do not walk around with a flag saying ‘I am high risk,’ so then the people that are COVID-positive can identify them and stay away from them,” said Gutierrez Vo. “It doesn’t work that way.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So therefore, if you cannot be selective of who you need to be getting away from, then there just has to be a general understanding or a mandate — which is what we had — to make sure to protect the general public. It is the Department of Public Health’s responsibility to uphold public health, and they are not doing that with this new guidance,” said Gutierrez Vo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On the risks of long COVID, Gutierrez Vo said that California’s relaxing of isolation protocol\u003cem> “\u003c/em>puts everyone in danger.” COVID, she said, “is not like any other respiratory illness. When you have flu and you get over it, it doesn’t have long term effects. When you have RSV, or any other respiratory illness like a viral syndrome, it doesn’t damage your kidney or it doesn’t damage your heart.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story contains reporting by KQED’s Lesley McClurg. An earlier version of this story originally published on March 4.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2024. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID-19\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger and help us decide what to cover here on our site and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"hearken","attributes":{"named":{"id":"10483","src":"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js","label":""},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"floatright"},"numeric":["floatright"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}}],"link":"/news/11973108/how-long-to-isolate-with-covid-in-2024-california-now-says-that-depends-on-symptoms","authors":["3243"],"categories":["news_457","news_8"],"tags":["news_32707","news_29029","news_27989","news_27504","news_18543"],"featImg":"news_11973137","label":"news"},"news_11987343":{"type":"posts","id":"news_11987343","meta":{"index":"posts_1716263798","site":"news","id":"11987343","score":null,"sort":[1720707931000]},"guestAuthors":[],"slug":"covid-bay-area-wastewater-variant-symptoms-isolation-guidance","title":"COVID Levels in Bay Area Wastewater Are Now as High as the Winter Peak","publishDate":1720707931,"format":"image","headTitle":"COVID Levels in Bay Area Wastewater Are Now as High as the Winter Peak | KQED","labelTerm":{"site":"news"},"content":"\u003cp>Levels of COVID-19 in the Bay Area’s wastewater are continuing to rise — and now, those numbers are as high as they were during \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know\">the last winter surge of infections\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Data from Stanford University’s WastewaterSCAN project, which monitors the presence of COVID-19 and other viruses in human sewage across the U.S., indicates that COVID-19 levels are still on the rise across 48% of the sites monitored around the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>WastewaterSCAN’s Amanda Bidwell told KQED by email that COVID-19 has been detected in 100% of Bay Area sewage samples they’ve collected over the last three weeks. (If you have COVID-19, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1963120/one-way-to-monitor-a-communitys-coronavirus-infections-raw-sewage\">the virus will show up in your feces \u003c/a>soon after you’re infected.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11993772\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11993772\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/WastewaterSCAN-Bay-Area-July-11.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"961\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/WastewaterSCAN-Bay-Area-July-11.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/WastewaterSCAN-Bay-Area-July-11-800x400.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/WastewaterSCAN-Bay-Area-July-11-1020x511.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/WastewaterSCAN-Bay-Area-July-11-160x80.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/WastewaterSCAN-Bay-Area-July-11-1536x769.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A graph showing WastewaterSCAN data from July 11 on COVID-19 levels in Bay Area wastewater, aggregated from across the region’s wastewater sites. \u003ccite>(WastewaterSCAN)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what to know about this rise in Bay Area COVID-19 levels, or jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#covidcontagiousperiodisolation\">What’s the current COVID contagion and isolation guidance?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#latestcovidvariants\">How much are new COVID variants driving this rise?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#covidsymptoms2024\">Are there any new 2024 COVID symptoms?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#covidrisksmasks\">Who is the most at risk for COVID right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>What’s going on with COVID in the Bay Area’s wastewater right now?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The Bay Area’s own COVID-19 wastewater levels are “higher than where they were this time last year and on average as high as we saw during the winter peak earlier this year,” said WastewaterSCAN’s Bidwell.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the last weeks, the Stanford team has observed \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkIQACABSABSBmU5ZTg3ZVIGMzc0MzBhWgZOIEdlbmVyCjIwMjQtMDQtMDJyCjIwMjQtMDUtMTSKAQY4MzNmYjDAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=833fb0\">a particularly pronounced rise in San Francisco’s wastewater.\u003c/a> Back on June 4, Bidwell told KQED that “we are seeing some [of the] highest concentrations we’ve ever measured” at the Oceanside SF and Southeast SF wastewater sites.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11989965\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11989965\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/WWSCAN_SARSCoV2_San_Francisco_CA_last_24_months_20240610.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1037\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/WWSCAN_SARSCoV2_San_Francisco_CA_last_24_months_20240610.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/WWSCAN_SARSCoV2_San_Francisco_CA_last_24_months_20240610-800x432.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/WWSCAN_SARSCoV2_San_Francisco_CA_last_24_months_20240610-1020x551.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/WWSCAN_SARSCoV2_San_Francisco_CA_last_24_months_20240610-160x86.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/WWSCAN_SARSCoV2_San_Francisco_CA_last_24_months_20240610-1536x830.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A graph showing WastewaterSCAN data from June 10 illustrating COVID-19 levels in San Francisco wastewater, aggregated from the city’s two wastewater sites. \u003ccite>(WastewaterSCAN)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Department of Public Health told KQED in a June 11 email that it’s “difficult to determine an exact cause of why COVID-19 detections have increased” locally, noting that “it can be the result of various factors, including waning immunity, the increase in travel and gatherings associated with the summer season, and the emergence of new subvariants.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The agency also pointed to the seasonal behavior of the virus in previous years, notably the “increase in COVID-19 activity around late spring to late summer, followed by another increase during the winter.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nationally, \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker?charts=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%2FAQ%3D%3D&selectedChartId=806084\">COVID-19 wastewater levels have kept rising across the country, \u003c/a>and \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/?selectedLocation=%7B%22label%22%3A%22National%22,%22level%22%3A%22national%22,%22value%22%3A%22national%22%7D&locationExpanded=true&charts=CjIQACABSABaBk4gR2VuZXIKMjAyNC0wNS0wMXIKMjAyNC0wNi0xMooBBjEwYTE3NsABAQ%3D%3D&selectedChartId=10a176\">levels of the virus are currently classified as “High” on WastewaterSCAN’s dashboard \u003c/a>of all its sites around the United States, due to what Bidwell called an “upward trend.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can check the COVID-19 levels in your own county’s wastewater according to WastewaterSCAN’s monitoring:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkIQACABSABSBmU5ZTg3ZVIGMzc0MzBhWgZOIEdlbmVyCjIwMjQtMDQtMDNyCjIwMjQtMDUtMTWKAQYzZThjZjPAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=3e8cf3\">San Francisco \u003c/a>| \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CloQACABSABSBjVhYTY5OVIGMDJkMjQyUgZkZDM2ZmJSBjY3YzJlYlIGMjkzYjI1WgZOIEdlbmVyCjIwMjQtMDQtMDNyCjIwMjQtMDUtMTWKAQYwN2Y0Y2bAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=07f4cf\">Alameda\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=ClIQACABSABSBjA3Y2VkN1IGN2NhOTA1UgY3NGIzOWFSBmM5NWU2NFoGTiBHZW5lcgoyMDI0LTA0LTAzcgoyMDI0LTA1LTE1igEGOGJkZWQwwAEB&selectedChartId=8bded0\">San Mateo\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=ClIQACABSABSBjI1NDgxOVIGOGE5YjRiUgY1NzlkYTNSBmM4ZDM1N1oGTiBHZW5lcgoyMDI0LTA0LTAzcgoyMDI0LTA1LTE1igEGOTI5MTI4wAEB&selectedChartId=929128\">Santa Clara\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkIQACABSABSBjc0ZDAyNlIGNTc1NzM4WgZOIEdlbmVyCjIwMjQtMDQtMDNyCjIwMjQtMDUtMTWKAQYzZThjZjPAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=3e8cf3\">Contra Costa\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkIQACABSABSBmZhMmQ2M1IGMGM4MDkxWgZOIEdlbmVyCjIwMjQtMDQtMDNyCjIwMjQtMDUtMTWKAQYzZThjZjPAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=3e8cf3\">Solano\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Cl8QACABSABSBjI0ZDAzMFIGNjQ3M2MwUgZiOTI1ZTdSBmVjNGQzZFIGZGRlODhmUgY4NGQ0ODlaBk4gR2VuZXIKMjAyNC0wNC0wM3IKMjAyNC0wNS0xNYoBBjNlOGNmMw%3D%3D&selectedChartId=3e8cf3\">Marin\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkcQACABSABSBjMwMzJjOFIGNzFhMmY0UgZiYzc5ZjlaBk4gR2VuZXIKMjAyNC0wNC0wM3IKMjAyNC0wNS0xNYoBBjNlOGNmMw%3D%3D&selectedChartId=3e8cf3\">Sonoma\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CjoQACABSABSBmI3MjNhZVoGTiBHZW5lcgoyMDI0LTA0LTAzcgoyMDI0LTA1LTE1igEGM2U4Y2YzwAEB&selectedChartId=3e8cf3\">Napa\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#covidrisksmasks\">How should I be altering my behavior during a rise in COVID?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>COVID swelled earlier this summer than it did in 2023. Why?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In 2023, “late June is when we started to see a summer increase,” said WastewaterSCAN’s Bidwell — but this 2024 swell started several weeks earlier than that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s undoubtedly become harder in 2024 to materially track COVID-19 levels in a certain area. As of May 1, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/california-stop-posting-covid-hospitalization-19408893.php\">the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) no longer requires hospitals nationwide to report the number of patients admitted with COVID-19\u003c/a>. This had been one of the remaining indicators of rising COVID-19 levels in an area, along with PCR tests. Now, health officials must rely on a combination of wastewater data and hospital deaths of patients with COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Respiratory-Viruses/RespiratoryDashboard.aspx\">the state’s seven-day test positivity rate\u003c/a> — the average percentage of people each week who get a positive diagnostic test result from a lab after taking a PCR test — has kept rising since April 27 (from 1.9% to 10.6%, with the last available data from July 1).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, since this data doesn’t include at-home antigen testing, it doesn’t represent the full picture of COVID-19 positivity around the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11987440\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11987440\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A registered nurse prepares a dose of the Moderna vaccine at St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, Alameda County, on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. \u003ccite>(Jessica Christian/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Of course, it’s hard to use wastewater to tell you how many people that represents,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), of the recent observed rise in sewage. “But nevertheless, the trend is important.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for \u003cem>why \u003c/em>the Bay Area could now be seeing a summer rise in COVID-19 wastewater levels over a month earlier than it did in 2023, Chin-Hong said a big factor is our collective waning immunity against the virus.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What else do you need to know about COVID right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>“One year ago, last year, many more people had gotten additional vaccines,” he said. “They had additional immunity that was more recent.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But in 2024, “we only have about 22% or so of Americans vaccinated” nationally, Chin-Hong said. In California, \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-Vaccine-Data.aspx\">only 14.9% of people statewide are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines\u003c/a>. So if someone hasn’t been infected with COVID-19 recently and they haven’t gotten the latest vaccine, they’re left extra-vulnerable to rising COVID-19 levels in their community.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"latestcovidvariants\">\u003c/a>How much are new COVID variants driving this rise?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You might hear about \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/flirt-variants-summer-covid-wave-19445209.php\">new COVID-19 variants informally called “FLiRT”\u003c/a>: KP.1.1, KP.2 and KP.3.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These latest omicron descendants, nicknamed for the letters used for their mutations, have risen in prominence recently around the country, overtaking \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know\">the previous leading variant, JN.1\u003c/a> — the one that “was ruling the roost for a lot of the winter and spring,” Chin-Hong said. Now, \u003ca href=\"https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions\">KP.3 has become the most dominant strain nationwide\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the Bay Area, WastewaterSCAN’s Bidwell said that KP.2 is still the dominant variant in the three Bay Area wastewater sites where the Stanford team sequenced this data on specific variants.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The new variants matter because each new one brought increased transmissibility during the pandemic. This means that although much of the general population will not get particularly sick with these new COVID-19 variants when they become dominant, there will still be higher-risk groups that will get seriously ill, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Maybe that’s the fact of life, but my point is: It \u003cem>shouldn’t \u003c/em>be the fact of life because we have so many tools” to reduce COVID-19 spread and treat infectious people, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CDC has also stated that based on current data, \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/news/flirt-covid-variants-us-cases/\">“there are no indicators that KP.2 would cause more severe illness than other strains.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for the reformulated seasonal COVID-19 vaccine, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended on June 5 that \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/updated-covid-19-vaccines-use-united-states-beginning-fall-2024\">the new, updated COVID-19 vaccine that will be offered in the fall should in fact be based on the JN.1 variant.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"covidrisksmasks\">\u003c/a>Who is the most at risk for COVID right now?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“I’m not worried about the general population because people have seen it so many times already,” Chin-Hong said. “The majority of folks [are] going to be OK.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But “I’m worried about the most vulnerable,” he said, pointing to \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-Vaccine-Data.aspx\">low vaccination rates among people age 65 and older\u003c/a> — despite\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11977786/a-new-covid-vaccine-dose-is-now-available-for-people-age-65-and-older-where-can-you-find-a-shot-near-you\"> an extra COVID-19 vaccine dose being made available to this age group back in February \u003c/a>because of their heightened risk levels.\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11977786/a-new-covid-vaccine-dose-is-now-available-for-people-age-65-and-older-where-can-you-find-a-shot-near-you\"> Read more about finding an additional COVID-19 vaccine if you’re 65 or older.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While it may feel confusing and frustrating — or like a personal step backward — to still think about COVID-19 precautions in 2024, that’s understandable. But there are actions you can take in response to a rise in COVID-19 numbers to protect the health of you and your loved ones, stop community spread among the most high-risk people and reduce the disruption that a COVID-19 infection in your household can bring to your lives, your work and much-anticipated summer travel plans.[aside postID=news_11973108 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-1361590305-1-1020x680.jpg']During a rise in COVID-19 levels locally, this might include bringing a well-fitting N95 mask along to indoor spaces that you know could be crowded, like the grocery store or BART during rush hour. Or, if you’re hosting people indoors in your home,\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967946/covid-ventilation-guide-indoors-windows\"> ensure the space has good ventilation by taking measures like opening windows\u003c/a>. If the weather allows, you might also consider favoring outdoor hangouts and meetups with friends and family at this current time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’re at higher risk for serious illness or hospitalization from COVID-19, it’s an especially good idea to take extra precautions against the virus during a rise in COVID-19 locally. These groups can include older people, immunocompromised and disabled folks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It also includes people who aren’t up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines, so if you haven’t already gotten the latest vaccine, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11960630/free-new-covid-vaccine-near-me-2023\">you can still find a free COVID-19 shot near you.\u003c/a> Remember,\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11977786/a-new-covid-vaccine-dose-is-now-available-for-people-age-65-and-older-where-can-you-find-a-shot-near-you\"> people 65 and older are also eligible for an extra COVID-19 vaccine dose\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One more reason you might consider being extra cautious about COVID-19 right now is if you’ve got upcoming travel plans. Even if your symptoms are mild, a COVID-19 infection can require isolation from other people for well over a week. And you can double that timeline if you get a rebound (i.e., second) infection, which is surprisingly common even in people who don’t take the antiviral treatment Paxlovid.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"covidsymptoms2024\">\u003c/a>I’m worried I might have COVID. What should I do?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Know the 2024 symptoms of COVID-19 \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Chin-Hong confirms that there don’t appear to be any surprising “wild card” symptoms expected for a COVID-19 infection in 2024, either for JN.1 or the FLiRT variants. Rather, they seem to largely be the same COVID-19 symptoms you’re used to hearing about from previous variants.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to the CDC, possible symptoms of COVID-19 include, but aren’t limited to, fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat and congestion or runny nose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/10/well/covid-flirt-variants-symptoms.html\"> They can also include gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea\u003c/a>, which Chin-Hong told the \u003cem>New York Times\u003c/em> can often confuse people experiencing them, who initially assume they have a condition like norovirus rather than COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11987436\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11987436\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1311844306_qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1287\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1311844306_qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1311844306_qut-800x536.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1311844306_qut-1020x684.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1311844306_qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1311844306_qut-1536x1030.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">During a rise in COVID-19 levels locally, protect the health of yourself and your loved ones by bringing a well-fitting N95 mask to spaces that could be crowded, like the ballpark, grocery store or BART during rush hour. \u003ccite>(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca id=\"covidcontagiousperiodisolation\">\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>Find a reliable test (and keep testing)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Incubation periods for COVID-19 — the time between exposure and testing positive — have shortened during the pandemic. It went from a five-day average in 2020 to as soon as a few days in 2024. So, if you’re having symptoms even two days after an exposure, it makes sense to test.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if your first test is negative, you should absolutely test again in the next 48 hours if symptoms persist — and again after that if you’re still negative. It’s been suggested that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11972313/negative-covid-test-incubation-period\">COVID-19 symptoms can start much earlier in 2024\u003c/a>. This is due to the average immune system being more primed to detect and react to a COVID-19 infection as we navigate the fifth year of this pandemic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So don’t assume a negative result means you don’t actually have COVID-19: If you’re feeling sick, play it safe, stay home as much as you can and wear a well-fitted mask if you can’t. Also, be sure to take another antigen test soon. You could also seek out a more sensitive PCR test.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember, if you’ve been stockpiling COVID-19 tests in the last year, make sure the one you’re using hasn’t expired. And if it has, you can still \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">check the list of manufacturers who’ve had their test expiration dates extended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, you can still \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11969300/how-to-get-reimbursed-for-at-home-covid-tests-in-2023\">request reimbursement from your health insurer for up to eight at-home tests per month\u003c/a>. You can also \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know#freecovidtests\">read more about how to find free COVID-19 tests near you.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>And if you test positive for COVID …\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In March, the CDC officially revised their national COVID-19 isolation guidance, saying that \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p0301-respiratory-virus.html\">COVID-positive people could now return to work or regular activities\u003c/a> once “symptoms are improving overall” and they’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without use of a fever-reducing medication.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CDC’s new guidelines now mostly resemble \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11973108/how-long-to-isolate-with-covid-in-2024-california-now-says-that-depends-on-symptoms#covidisolationguidelines\">California’s own updated COVID-19 isolation recommendations\u003c/a>, which the state revised back in January.\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11973108/how-long-to-isolate-with-covid-in-2024-california-now-says-that-depends-on-symptoms\"> Read more about current isolation guidance for COVID-19.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’ve been infected, consider asking your health provider for the COVID-19 medication \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11914514/if-you-get-covid-should-you-try-to-get-paxlovid-heres-how-with-or-without-health-insurance\">Paxlovid, an antiviral treatment in pill form that is still available free by prescription in California. \u003c/a>Read more on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11914514/if-you-get-covid-should-you-try-to-get-paxlovid-heres-how-with-or-without-health-insurance\">requesting a prescription for Paxlovid, with or without health insurance.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need to know about COVID right now?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2024. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID\u003c/a>, but also \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about when it comes to COVID — or anything else? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger, and help us decide what to cover here on our site, and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[hearken id=\"10483\" src=\"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js\"]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Earlier versions of this story were originally published on June 12, June 5 and May 23.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n","blocks":[],"excerpt":"From current CDC isolation guidelines to symptoms of the new variants, what to know about the current COVID wave.","status":"publish","parent":0,"modified":1720801462,"stats":{"hasAudio":false,"hasVideo":false,"hasChartOrMap":false,"iframeSrcs":[],"hasGoogleForm":false,"hasGallery":false,"hasHearkenModule":true,"hasPolis":false,"paragraphCount":51,"wordCount":2538},"headData":{"title":"COVID Levels in Bay Area Wastewater Are Now as High as the Winter Peak | KQED","description":"From current CDC isolation guidelines to symptoms of the new variants, what to know about the current COVID wave.","ogTitle":"","ogDescription":"","ogImgId":"","twTitle":"","twDescription":"","twImgId":"","schema":{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"COVID Levels in Bay Area Wastewater Are Now as High as the Winter Peak","datePublished":"2024-07-11T07:25:31-07:00","dateModified":"2024-07-12T09:24:22-07:00","image":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png","isAccessibleForFree":"True","publisher":{"@type":"NewsMediaOrganization","@id":"https://www.kqed.org/#organization","name":"KQED","url":"https://www.kqed.org","logo":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"}}},"sticky":false,"nprStoryId":"kqed-11987343","excludeFromSiteSearch":"Include","articleAge":"0","path":"/news/11987343/covid-bay-area-wastewater-variant-symptoms-isolation-guidance","audioTrackLength":null,"parsedContent":[{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Levels of COVID-19 in the Bay Area’s wastewater are continuing to rise — and now, those numbers are as high as they were during \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know\">the last winter surge of infections\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Data from Stanford University’s WastewaterSCAN project, which monitors the presence of COVID-19 and other viruses in human sewage across the U.S., indicates that COVID-19 levels are still on the rise across 48% of the sites monitored around the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>WastewaterSCAN’s Amanda Bidwell told KQED by email that COVID-19 has been detected in 100% of Bay Area sewage samples they’ve collected over the last three weeks. (If you have COVID-19, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1963120/one-way-to-monitor-a-communitys-coronavirus-infections-raw-sewage\">the virus will show up in your feces \u003c/a>soon after you’re infected.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11993772\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11993772\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/WastewaterSCAN-Bay-Area-July-11.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"961\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/WastewaterSCAN-Bay-Area-July-11.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/WastewaterSCAN-Bay-Area-July-11-800x400.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/WastewaterSCAN-Bay-Area-July-11-1020x511.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/WastewaterSCAN-Bay-Area-July-11-160x80.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/WastewaterSCAN-Bay-Area-July-11-1536x769.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A graph showing WastewaterSCAN data from July 11 on COVID-19 levels in Bay Area wastewater, aggregated from across the region’s wastewater sites. \u003ccite>(WastewaterSCAN)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what to know about this rise in Bay Area COVID-19 levels, or jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#covidcontagiousperiodisolation\">What’s the current COVID contagion and isolation guidance?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#latestcovidvariants\">How much are new COVID variants driving this rise?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#covidsymptoms2024\">Are there any new 2024 COVID symptoms?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#covidrisksmasks\">Who is the most at risk for COVID right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>What’s going on with COVID in the Bay Area’s wastewater right now?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The Bay Area’s own COVID-19 wastewater levels are “higher than where they were this time last year and on average as high as we saw during the winter peak earlier this year,” said WastewaterSCAN’s Bidwell.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the last weeks, the Stanford team has observed \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkIQACABSABSBmU5ZTg3ZVIGMzc0MzBhWgZOIEdlbmVyCjIwMjQtMDQtMDJyCjIwMjQtMDUtMTSKAQY4MzNmYjDAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=833fb0\">a particularly pronounced rise in San Francisco’s wastewater.\u003c/a> Back on June 4, Bidwell told KQED that “we are seeing some [of the] highest concentrations we’ve ever measured” at the Oceanside SF and Southeast SF wastewater sites.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11989965\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11989965\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/WWSCAN_SARSCoV2_San_Francisco_CA_last_24_months_20240610.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1037\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/WWSCAN_SARSCoV2_San_Francisco_CA_last_24_months_20240610.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/WWSCAN_SARSCoV2_San_Francisco_CA_last_24_months_20240610-800x432.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/WWSCAN_SARSCoV2_San_Francisco_CA_last_24_months_20240610-1020x551.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/WWSCAN_SARSCoV2_San_Francisco_CA_last_24_months_20240610-160x86.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/WWSCAN_SARSCoV2_San_Francisco_CA_last_24_months_20240610-1536x830.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A graph showing WastewaterSCAN data from June 10 illustrating COVID-19 levels in San Francisco wastewater, aggregated from the city’s two wastewater sites. \u003ccite>(WastewaterSCAN)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Department of Public Health told KQED in a June 11 email that it’s “difficult to determine an exact cause of why COVID-19 detections have increased” locally, noting that “it can be the result of various factors, including waning immunity, the increase in travel and gatherings associated with the summer season, and the emergence of new subvariants.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The agency also pointed to the seasonal behavior of the virus in previous years, notably the “increase in COVID-19 activity around late spring to late summer, followed by another increase during the winter.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nationally, \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker?charts=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%2FAQ%3D%3D&selectedChartId=806084\">COVID-19 wastewater levels have kept rising across the country, \u003c/a>and \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/?selectedLocation=%7B%22label%22%3A%22National%22,%22level%22%3A%22national%22,%22value%22%3A%22national%22%7D&locationExpanded=true&charts=CjIQACABSABaBk4gR2VuZXIKMjAyNC0wNS0wMXIKMjAyNC0wNi0xMooBBjEwYTE3NsABAQ%3D%3D&selectedChartId=10a176\">levels of the virus are currently classified as “High” on WastewaterSCAN’s dashboard \u003c/a>of all its sites around the United States, due to what Bidwell called an “upward trend.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can check the COVID-19 levels in your own county’s wastewater according to WastewaterSCAN’s monitoring:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkIQACABSABSBmU5ZTg3ZVIGMzc0MzBhWgZOIEdlbmVyCjIwMjQtMDQtMDNyCjIwMjQtMDUtMTWKAQYzZThjZjPAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=3e8cf3\">San Francisco \u003c/a>| \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CloQACABSABSBjVhYTY5OVIGMDJkMjQyUgZkZDM2ZmJSBjY3YzJlYlIGMjkzYjI1WgZOIEdlbmVyCjIwMjQtMDQtMDNyCjIwMjQtMDUtMTWKAQYwN2Y0Y2bAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=07f4cf\">Alameda\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=ClIQACABSABSBjA3Y2VkN1IGN2NhOTA1UgY3NGIzOWFSBmM5NWU2NFoGTiBHZW5lcgoyMDI0LTA0LTAzcgoyMDI0LTA1LTE1igEGOGJkZWQwwAEB&selectedChartId=8bded0\">San Mateo\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=ClIQACABSABSBjI1NDgxOVIGOGE5YjRiUgY1NzlkYTNSBmM4ZDM1N1oGTiBHZW5lcgoyMDI0LTA0LTAzcgoyMDI0LTA1LTE1igEGOTI5MTI4wAEB&selectedChartId=929128\">Santa Clara\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkIQACABSABSBjc0ZDAyNlIGNTc1NzM4WgZOIEdlbmVyCjIwMjQtMDQtMDNyCjIwMjQtMDUtMTWKAQYzZThjZjPAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=3e8cf3\">Contra Costa\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkIQACABSABSBmZhMmQ2M1IGMGM4MDkxWgZOIEdlbmVyCjIwMjQtMDQtMDNyCjIwMjQtMDUtMTWKAQYzZThjZjPAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=3e8cf3\">Solano\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Cl8QACABSABSBjI0ZDAzMFIGNjQ3M2MwUgZiOTI1ZTdSBmVjNGQzZFIGZGRlODhmUgY4NGQ0ODlaBk4gR2VuZXIKMjAyNC0wNC0wM3IKMjAyNC0wNS0xNYoBBjNlOGNmMw%3D%3D&selectedChartId=3e8cf3\">Marin\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkcQACABSABSBjMwMzJjOFIGNzFhMmY0UgZiYzc5ZjlaBk4gR2VuZXIKMjAyNC0wNC0wM3IKMjAyNC0wNS0xNYoBBjNlOGNmMw%3D%3D&selectedChartId=3e8cf3\">Sonoma\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CjoQACABSABSBmI3MjNhZVoGTiBHZW5lcgoyMDI0LTA0LTAzcgoyMDI0LTA1LTE1igEGM2U4Y2YzwAEB&selectedChartId=3e8cf3\">Napa\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#covidrisksmasks\">How should I be altering my behavior during a rise in COVID?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>COVID swelled earlier this summer than it did in 2023. Why?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In 2023, “late June is when we started to see a summer increase,” said WastewaterSCAN’s Bidwell — but this 2024 swell started several weeks earlier than that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s undoubtedly become harder in 2024 to materially track COVID-19 levels in a certain area. As of May 1, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/california-stop-posting-covid-hospitalization-19408893.php\">the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) no longer requires hospitals nationwide to report the number of patients admitted with COVID-19\u003c/a>. This had been one of the remaining indicators of rising COVID-19 levels in an area, along with PCR tests. Now, health officials must rely on a combination of wastewater data and hospital deaths of patients with COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Respiratory-Viruses/RespiratoryDashboard.aspx\">the state’s seven-day test positivity rate\u003c/a> — the average percentage of people each week who get a positive diagnostic test result from a lab after taking a PCR test — has kept rising since April 27 (from 1.9% to 10.6%, with the last available data from July 1).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, since this data doesn’t include at-home antigen testing, it doesn’t represent the full picture of COVID-19 positivity around the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11987440\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11987440\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A registered nurse prepares a dose of the Moderna vaccine at St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, Alameda County, on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. \u003ccite>(Jessica Christian/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Of course, it’s hard to use wastewater to tell you how many people that represents,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), of the recent observed rise in sewage. “But nevertheless, the trend is important.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for \u003cem>why \u003c/em>the Bay Area could now be seeing a summer rise in COVID-19 wastewater levels over a month earlier than it did in 2023, Chin-Hong said a big factor is our collective waning immunity against the virus.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What else do you need to know about COVID right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>“One year ago, last year, many more people had gotten additional vaccines,” he said. “They had additional immunity that was more recent.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But in 2024, “we only have about 22% or so of Americans vaccinated” nationally, Chin-Hong said. In California, \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-Vaccine-Data.aspx\">only 14.9% of people statewide are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines\u003c/a>. So if someone hasn’t been infected with COVID-19 recently and they haven’t gotten the latest vaccine, they’re left extra-vulnerable to rising COVID-19 levels in their community.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"latestcovidvariants\">\u003c/a>How much are new COVID variants driving this rise?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You might hear about \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/flirt-variants-summer-covid-wave-19445209.php\">new COVID-19 variants informally called “FLiRT”\u003c/a>: KP.1.1, KP.2 and KP.3.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These latest omicron descendants, nicknamed for the letters used for their mutations, have risen in prominence recently around the country, overtaking \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know\">the previous leading variant, JN.1\u003c/a> — the one that “was ruling the roost for a lot of the winter and spring,” Chin-Hong said. Now, \u003ca href=\"https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions\">KP.3 has become the most dominant strain nationwide\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the Bay Area, WastewaterSCAN’s Bidwell said that KP.2 is still the dominant variant in the three Bay Area wastewater sites where the Stanford team sequenced this data on specific variants.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The new variants matter because each new one brought increased transmissibility during the pandemic. This means that although much of the general population will not get particularly sick with these new COVID-19 variants when they become dominant, there will still be higher-risk groups that will get seriously ill, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Maybe that’s the fact of life, but my point is: It \u003cem>shouldn’t \u003c/em>be the fact of life because we have so many tools” to reduce COVID-19 spread and treat infectious people, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CDC has also stated that based on current data, \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/news/flirt-covid-variants-us-cases/\">“there are no indicators that KP.2 would cause more severe illness than other strains.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for the reformulated seasonal COVID-19 vaccine, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended on June 5 that \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/updated-covid-19-vaccines-use-united-states-beginning-fall-2024\">the new, updated COVID-19 vaccine that will be offered in the fall should in fact be based on the JN.1 variant.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"fullwidth"},"numeric":["fullwidth"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"covidrisksmasks\">\u003c/a>Who is the most at risk for COVID right now?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“I’m not worried about the general population because people have seen it so many times already,” Chin-Hong said. “The majority of folks [are] going to be OK.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But “I’m worried about the most vulnerable,” he said, pointing to \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-Vaccine-Data.aspx\">low vaccination rates among people age 65 and older\u003c/a> — despite\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11977786/a-new-covid-vaccine-dose-is-now-available-for-people-age-65-and-older-where-can-you-find-a-shot-near-you\"> an extra COVID-19 vaccine dose being made available to this age group back in February \u003c/a>because of their heightened risk levels.\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11977786/a-new-covid-vaccine-dose-is-now-available-for-people-age-65-and-older-where-can-you-find-a-shot-near-you\"> Read more about finding an additional COVID-19 vaccine if you’re 65 or older.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While it may feel confusing and frustrating — or like a personal step backward — to still think about COVID-19 precautions in 2024, that’s understandable. But there are actions you can take in response to a rise in COVID-19 numbers to protect the health of you and your loved ones, stop community spread among the most high-risk people and reduce the disruption that a COVID-19 infection in your household can bring to your lives, your work and much-anticipated summer travel plans.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"aside","attributes":{"named":{"postid":"news_11973108","hero":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-1361590305-1-1020x680.jpg","label":""},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>During a rise in COVID-19 levels locally, this might include bringing a well-fitting N95 mask along to indoor spaces that you know could be crowded, like the grocery store or BART during rush hour. Or, if you’re hosting people indoors in your home,\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967946/covid-ventilation-guide-indoors-windows\"> ensure the space has good ventilation by taking measures like opening windows\u003c/a>. If the weather allows, you might also consider favoring outdoor hangouts and meetups with friends and family at this current time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’re at higher risk for serious illness or hospitalization from COVID-19, it’s an especially good idea to take extra precautions against the virus during a rise in COVID-19 locally. These groups can include older people, immunocompromised and disabled folks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It also includes people who aren’t up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines, so if you haven’t already gotten the latest vaccine, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11960630/free-new-covid-vaccine-near-me-2023\">you can still find a free COVID-19 shot near you.\u003c/a> Remember,\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11977786/a-new-covid-vaccine-dose-is-now-available-for-people-age-65-and-older-where-can-you-find-a-shot-near-you\"> people 65 and older are also eligible for an extra COVID-19 vaccine dose\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One more reason you might consider being extra cautious about COVID-19 right now is if you’ve got upcoming travel plans. Even if your symptoms are mild, a COVID-19 infection can require isolation from other people for well over a week. And you can double that timeline if you get a rebound (i.e., second) infection, which is surprisingly common even in people who don’t take the antiviral treatment Paxlovid.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"covidsymptoms2024\">\u003c/a>I’m worried I might have COVID. What should I do?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Know the 2024 symptoms of COVID-19 \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Chin-Hong confirms that there don’t appear to be any surprising “wild card” symptoms expected for a COVID-19 infection in 2024, either for JN.1 or the FLiRT variants. Rather, they seem to largely be the same COVID-19 symptoms you’re used to hearing about from previous variants.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to the CDC, possible symptoms of COVID-19 include, but aren’t limited to, fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat and congestion or runny nose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/10/well/covid-flirt-variants-symptoms.html\"> They can also include gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea\u003c/a>, which Chin-Hong told the \u003cem>New York Times\u003c/em> can often confuse people experiencing them, who initially assume they have a condition like norovirus rather than COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11987436\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11987436\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1311844306_qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1287\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1311844306_qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1311844306_qut-800x536.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1311844306_qut-1020x684.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1311844306_qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1311844306_qut-1536x1030.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">During a rise in COVID-19 levels locally, protect the health of yourself and your loved ones by bringing a well-fitting N95 mask to spaces that could be crowded, like the ballpark, grocery store or BART during rush hour. \u003ccite>(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca id=\"covidcontagiousperiodisolation\">\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>Find a reliable test (and keep testing)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Incubation periods for COVID-19 — the time between exposure and testing positive — have shortened during the pandemic. It went from a five-day average in 2020 to as soon as a few days in 2024. So, if you’re having symptoms even two days after an exposure, it makes sense to test.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if your first test is negative, you should absolutely test again in the next 48 hours if symptoms persist — and again after that if you’re still negative. It’s been suggested that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11972313/negative-covid-test-incubation-period\">COVID-19 symptoms can start much earlier in 2024\u003c/a>. This is due to the average immune system being more primed to detect and react to a COVID-19 infection as we navigate the fifth year of this pandemic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So don’t assume a negative result means you don’t actually have COVID-19: If you’re feeling sick, play it safe, stay home as much as you can and wear a well-fitted mask if you can’t. Also, be sure to take another antigen test soon. You could also seek out a more sensitive PCR test.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember, if you’ve been stockpiling COVID-19 tests in the last year, make sure the one you’re using hasn’t expired. And if it has, you can still \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">check the list of manufacturers who’ve had their test expiration dates extended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, you can still \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11969300/how-to-get-reimbursed-for-at-home-covid-tests-in-2023\">request reimbursement from your health insurer for up to eight at-home tests per month\u003c/a>. You can also \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know#freecovidtests\">read more about how to find free COVID-19 tests near you.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>And if you test positive for COVID …\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In March, the CDC officially revised their national COVID-19 isolation guidance, saying that \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p0301-respiratory-virus.html\">COVID-positive people could now return to work or regular activities\u003c/a> once “symptoms are improving overall” and they’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without use of a fever-reducing medication.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CDC’s new guidelines now mostly resemble \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11973108/how-long-to-isolate-with-covid-in-2024-california-now-says-that-depends-on-symptoms#covidisolationguidelines\">California’s own updated COVID-19 isolation recommendations\u003c/a>, which the state revised back in January.\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11973108/how-long-to-isolate-with-covid-in-2024-california-now-says-that-depends-on-symptoms\"> Read more about current isolation guidance for COVID-19.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’ve been infected, consider asking your health provider for the COVID-19 medication \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11914514/if-you-get-covid-should-you-try-to-get-paxlovid-heres-how-with-or-without-health-insurance\">Paxlovid, an antiviral treatment in pill form that is still available free by prescription in California. \u003c/a>Read more on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11914514/if-you-get-covid-should-you-try-to-get-paxlovid-heres-how-with-or-without-health-insurance\">requesting a prescription for Paxlovid, with or without health insurance.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need to know about COVID right now?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2024. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID\u003c/a>, but also \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about when it comes to COVID — or anything else? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger, and help us decide what to cover here on our site, and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"hearken","attributes":{"named":{"id":"10483","src":"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js","label":""},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Earlier versions of this story were originally published on June 12, June 5 and May 23.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"floatright"},"numeric":["floatright"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}}],"link":"/news/11987343/covid-bay-area-wastewater-variant-symptoms-isolation-guidance","authors":["3243"],"categories":["news_457","news_8"],"tags":["news_32707","news_29029","news_27989","news_31331"],"featImg":"news_11989966","label":"news"},"news_11821950":{"type":"posts","id":"news_11821950","meta":{"index":"posts_1716263798","site":"news","id":"11821950","score":null,"sort":[1713907559000]},"parent":0,"labelTerm":{},"blocks":[],"publishDate":1713907559,"format":"standard","title":"How to Attend a Rally Safely in the Bay Area: Your Rights, Protections and the Police","headTitle":"How to Attend a Rally Safely in the Bay Area: Your Rights, Protections and the Police | KQED","content":"\u003cp>\u003ci data-stringify-type=\"italic\">This story was originally published on June 24, 2022, and was last updated at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 24.\u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Months into 2024, the Bay Area has seen many passionate demonstrations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These range from students \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11971577/berkeleys-peoples-park-cleared-by-police-7-arrested\">opposing construction replacing People’s Park in Berkeley\u003c/a> and a march in response to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11983701/sweeps-kill-bay-area-homeless-advocates-weigh-in-on-pivotal-u-s-supreme-court-case\">a Supreme Court case addressing how cities can respond to homelessness\u003c/a> to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/gaza\">protests, rallies and vigils drawing thousands of people around the region in support of a cease-fire in Gaza\u003c/a> — joining direct action taking place nationwide.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#start\">Tips on what to have ready before going to a protest.\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>These latest protests included \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11982940/protesters-shut-down-880-freeway-in-oakland-as-part-of-economic-blockade-for-gaza\">a series of actions on April 15 that blocked I-880 in Oakland and the Golden Gate Bridge\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.berkeleyside.org/2024/04/22/uc-berkeley-protest-sit-in-gaza-war-cal-investments\">a sit-in at UC Berkeley\u003c/a>. These protests follow \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/columbia-yale-israel-palestinians-protests-56c3d9d0a278c15ed8e4132a75ea9599\">student protests at other universities, including Columbia and Yale\u003c/a>. (Read more about the decadeslong background from \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/series/1205445976/middle-east-crisis\">NPR in their ‘Middle East crisis — explained’ series\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11965032\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11965032 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/231018-StudentWalkoutGaza-011-BL-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A young woman stands in front of a high school building. She looks away from the camera and has the Palestinian flag painted on her rigth cheek.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/231018-StudentWalkoutGaza-011-BL-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/231018-StudentWalkoutGaza-011-BL-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/231018-StudentWalkoutGaza-011-BL-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/231018-StudentWalkoutGaza-011-BL-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/231018-StudentWalkoutGaza-011-BL-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Deena, a high school student, participates in a walkout to demand a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in San Francisco on Oct. 18, 2023. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Bay Area has a long history of protest. But if you plan on attending a rally, how can you stay safe? What are your rights as a protester?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If this is the first time you or your friends will go to a protest, make sure to bookmark this guide, as our team frequently updates it with new information.[aside postID='news_11967439,news_11955465,news_11871364,news_11827832' label='Related Guides From KQED']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And remember: If you’re unable to join a rally or protest in person for whatever reason but want to make your stance on an issue known, you always have the option to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967439/how-can-i-call-my-representative-a-step-by-step-guide-to-the-process\">contact your elected officials to express your opinions\u003c/a>. For more information on what “call your reps” actually means, how to do it, and what to expect as a result, read our explainer, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967439/how-can-i-call-my-representative-a-step-by-step-guide-to-the-process\">How Can I Call My Representative? A Step-by-Step Guide to the Process\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"start\">\u003c/a>Have a plan — and then a backup plan\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>There’s a lot you can do before a protest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Travel with friends\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Choose a meeting place beforehand in the event you get separated. You may also want to designate a friend who is not at the protest as someone you can check in with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Charge your phone. However, some activist groups also recommend taking digital security measures, such as disabling the fingerprint unlock feature to prevent a police officer from forcing you to unlock the phone. Others also recommend turning off text preview on messages and using a more secure messaging app, such as Signal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also, make sure that you can function without a phone. Consider writing down important phone numbers and keeping them with you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pack a small bag\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bring only essentials such as water, snacks, hand sanitizer and an extra phone charger.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The active component in tear gas adheres to moisture on your face. So it’s also a good idea to pack an extra mask or face covering in case you are exposed to tear gas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some people \u003ca href=\"https://lifehacker.com/how-to-protest-safely-and-legally-5859590\">recommend bringing basic medical supplies and a bandana soaked in vinegar\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.popsci.com/story/diy/tear-gas-guide/\">in water in a sealed plastic bag\u003c/a> in case there is tear gas. Others recommend a small bottle of water — or even better, a squirt bottle — to pour on your face and eyes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you get tear-gassed, it is often recommended to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Close your eyes.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Hold your breath.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Get out of the area as soon as possible.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Rinse your eyes when possible (ideally using what you have packed with you).\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Research the intended protest route\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This may be confusing since there’s not always a clearly stated route (a protest is, or course, not a parade), but some protests have preplanned routes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>By knowing where the protest is headed, you will be able to plan how you might \u003ca href=\"https://netpol.org/guide-to-kettles/\">avoid being caught in a “kettle”\u003c/a> or other containment method — and be able to leave when you are ready.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Know who is organizing the protest\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s worth doing some research on the people and groups behind any protest you plan to attend to make sure it’s in alignment with your values and objectives. During certain Black Lives Matter protests in San Diego in June 2020, for instance, organizers warned demonstrators to avoid specific events they said likely had been surreptitiously coordinated by white nationalist groups.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Know your rights\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You are entitled to free speech and freedom of assembly. However, your rights can be unclear during curfews and shelter-in-place orders. The American Civil Liberties Union has a \u003ca href=\"https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights/#i-want-to-take-pictures-or-shoot-video-at-a-protest\">detailed guide to your rights as a protester or a protest organizer\u003c/a>. Notably, when police issue an order to disperse, it is meant to be the last resort for law enforcement.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If officers issue a dispersal order, they must provide a reasonable opportunity to comply, including sufficient time and a clear, unobstructed exit path,” \u003ca href=\"https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights/#i-want-to-take-pictures-or-shoot-video-at-a-protest\">according to the ACLU\u003c/a>. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11955465/dolores-hill-bomb-legal-rights-spectator-onlooker\">Read our guide to your rights as a spectator.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you are photographing others, it is recommended to respect privacy, as some may not want to have videos or photos taken. This may also depend on context, location and time of day. In some cases journalists, or those documenting events, have been the target of tear gas and rubber bullets.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What else do you need information about right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The First Amendment gives you the right to film police who are actively performing their duties, and bystander videos can provide important counternarratives to official accounts. Read our \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11871364/recording-the-police-what-to-know-and-how-to-stay-safe-doing-it\">guide to filming encounters with the police safely and ethically\u003c/a> and where to share your footage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Additional information can be found from the ACLU and the National Lawyers Guild — the NLG has \u003ca href=\"https://www.nlg.org/know-your-rights/\">pocket-sized know-your-rights guides\u003c/a> in multiple languages. Writing the number for the NLG hotline (and other important numbers such as emergency contacts) on your arm in case you lose your phone or have it confiscated is another suggested way to ensure you have it — should you need it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11958935\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11958935\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS68263_20230822-HomelessLawsuit-17-JY-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A large crowd with signs gathers in front of a large stone building. A line of police officers stands nearby.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS68263_20230822-HomelessLawsuit-17-JY-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS68263_20230822-HomelessLawsuit-17-JY-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS68263_20230822-HomelessLawsuit-17-JY-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS68263_20230822-HomelessLawsuit-17-JY-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS68263_20230822-HomelessLawsuit-17-JY-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS68263_20230822-HomelessLawsuit-17-JY-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Protesters, counter-protesters, and SFPD are seen at a rally in front of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. The court is hearing arguments for the city’s appeal of an injunction filed by the Coalition on Homelessness, which has temporarily kept city workers from removing encampments on the streets. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Be aware of your surroundings\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>During the first few days of George Floyd protests in the Bay Area in June 2020, there were fireworks, fires, rubber bullets, tear gas, flash-bangs and even some gunshots. Being aware of your surroundings includes having an understanding of what possible actions may occur around you.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Know the possible law enforcement ramifications of attending a protest\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>On April 17, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11983413/could-protesters-who-shut-down-golden-gate-bridge-be-charged-with-false-imprisonment\">she was considering charging a group of pro-Palestinian protesters\u003c/a> with a felony for \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11982940/protesters-shut-down-880-freeway-in-oakland-as-part-of-economic-blockade-for-gaza\">blocking Bay Area freeways\u003c/a>. People who were stuck in traffic on the bridge, Jenkins \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11983413/could-protesters-who-shut-down-golden-gate-bridge-be-charged-with-false-imprisonment\">wrote on X\u003c/a>, “may be entitled to restitution + have other victim rights guaranteed under Marsy’s law.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>ACLU Northern California’s legal director, Shilpi Agarwal said she found the move by Jenkins had the potential to cast a “chilling effect” on speech in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Lawful protests are, by design, meant to be visible and inconvenient,” Agarwal said. And while the government can place “reasonable limits on protest” in what is called \u003ca href=\"https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/time-place-and-manner-restrictions/\">a “time, place, and manner restriction\u003c/a>” — meaning authorities can call for certain parameters of protest for safety or other people using the space — the government may \u003ci>not \u003c/i>tell people they cannot protest. And in public spaces, Agarwal said, “people are allowed to protest.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What kinds of law enforcement charges could protesters face, however? Agarwal said while \u003ca href=\"https://www.aclunc.org/our-work/know-your-rights\">charges for protests can be nuanced\u003c/a>, at a basic level, if you are engaged in a protest and encounter police officers who then determine for “some reason” you have violated the “parameters” of the protest, there are usually three charging options available to officers:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>An infraction: typically a ticket where you show your ID, get a citation and may have to appear in court. Usually, an infraction is just a fine to pay.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A misdemeanor: for which “you rarely serve” jail time for low-level offenses, Agarwal said.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A felony: A more serious criminal charge that usually brings jail time.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Agarwal said the “vast majority of offenses that are commonly charged at protests, when the police do get involved, are typically infractions or misdemeanors.” Common provisions for protesters have been something like resisting arrest, disrupting a public meeting, and failing to disperse.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Center for Protest Law and Litigation’s senior counsel, Rachel Lederman, said restitution is common in criminal cases, adding that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967536/protesters-calling-for-gaza-ceasefire-block-bay-bridges-westbound-lanes\">pro-Palestinian protesters who blocked the Bay Bridge\u003c/a> in November 2023 are currently paying “a very small amount of restitution to one person who had a specific medical bill, that they attributed to the traffic blockage.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On April 22, California State Assemblymember Kate Sanchez introduced \u003ca href=\"https://www.courthousenews.com/california-bill-would-create-new-infraction-for-protesters-who-block-highways/\">a bill before the Assembly Transportation Committee\u003c/a> that would create a new infraction for those who obstruct a highway during a protest that affects an emergency vehicle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bill proposes a fine of between $200 and $500 for the first offense, $300 and $1000 for the second offense and $500 to $1000 for additional offenses.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Reminder: Your rights are at their highest in a public forum\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When considering your rights, take into account the location where a protest may take place — it could be a campus, a city council meeting, or a usually busy road. And Agarwal said that while the law is complicated and can vary in different situations, First Amendment rights are generally “at their highest when something is a public forum” — that is, a place like a sidewalk or a public plaza.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Aside from the \u003ca href=\"https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/time-place-and-manner-restrictions/\">time, place, and manner restriction\u003c/a>, “when you have a public forum, there is very, very little that the government can do to regulate your speech,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Conversely, First Amendment rights are at their lowest at places like private homes, Agarwal said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t mean that you have no rights, but it does mean that whenever and wherever you are on something that is not a public forum, the strength of your First Amendment rights starts to wane,” she said. “And the government can do more to regulate what you can and cannot say.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Remember there are many ways to protest\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>As the disability community continues to remind others, there are many ways to show up. We are still in a pandemic, and you may need to weigh the risks and goals.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can participate in many meaningful ways that don’t include attending an in-person protest or rally. This could include educating yourself, voting, talking to your community and supporting grassroots organizations, as outlined in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13881199/5-ways-to-show-up-for-racial-justice-today\">this 2020 guide from KQED’s Nastia Voynovskaya\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967439/how-can-i-call-my-representative-a-step-by-step-guide-to-the-process\">contact your elected officials to express your opinions\u003c/a>. For more information on what “call your reps” actually means, read our explainer, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967439/how-can-i-call-my-representative-a-step-by-step-guide-to-the-process\">How Can I Call My Representative? A Step-by-Step Guide to the Process\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>COVID is still with us: What to know about your possible risks attending a protest\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The good news: Your risks of getting COVID-19 outdoors remain far lower than your risks indoors — about 20 times less, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, professor of medicine and infectious disease specialist at UCSF.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also, being vaccinated and boosted will greatly reduce your risks of getting very sick, being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19. If you’re not yet boosted, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11960630/free-new-covid-vaccine-near-me-2023\">find the new COVID-19 vaccine shot near you\u003c/a>. If you’re bringing children to a protest with you, remember that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11917289/covid-vaccines-for-kids-under-5-are-here-heres-how-to-find-one\">kids and babies aged 6 months and over can get their primary COVID-19 vaccine series\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But you should still think about your risks of getting (or spreading) COVID-19 at a big event full of people, even when you’re outdoors. As with so many decisions during the pandemic, a lot comes down to your personal risks and circumstances — not just to protect yourself but others, too. “I think it requires people to be thoughtful about who they are, who they live with, and what happens when they leave the protest and go back home,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Consider bringing a mask along regardless\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s not only the number of people you’ll encounter at a protest — it’s what they might be \u003cem>doing\u003c/em>. Even outside, screaming, chanting, coughing and singing all expel more of the particles that can spread COVID-19 than regular activity does, and you may decide to keep your mask on during a protest if it’s a super-crowded space.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You might also find that some protest organizers explicitly request you wear a mask and maintain social distancing at the event, especially if the event is being attended by groups or communities at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There’s also the possibility that you might not \u003cem>stay\u003c/em> outside the whole time. “Whenever you have a protest, nobody just stays necessarily outdoors,” Chin-Hong said, giving pre-protest gatherings and meetings or post-protest dinners as examples.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“These may be done in people’s homes. I think it’s the stuff that goes around the actual outdoor protest that I’m more worried about,” Chin-Hong said. He recommends that people “think about carrying a mask with them, like they carry an umbrella. So that they just bring out the ‘umbrella’ when it’s potentially ‘raining with COVID\u003ci>.\u003c/i>‘”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11965077\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1020px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11965077\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/RS43804_GettyImages-1244191840-1-qut-1020x680-1.jpg\" alt=\"A large crowed with signs crowds around a building that has been fenced off. Many are pushing against the fence and others are carrying signs. Almost all are wearing facemasks.\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/RS43804_GettyImages-1244191840-1-qut-1020x680-1.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/RS43804_GettyImages-1244191840-1-qut-1020x680-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/RS43804_GettyImages-1244191840-1-qut-1020x680-1-160x107.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Protesters take a knee during a demonstration outside of Mission Police Station to honor of George Floyd on June 3, 2020, in San Francisco. Three years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still common to see people wearing facemasks at protests to protect themselves from a possible coronavirus infection.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Back in 2021, Chin-Hong told KQED that protests against racist violence and the killing of Black people by police were themselves “a response to a public health threat, if you think about the impact of structural racism and stress on health care.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now, when it comes to weighing the desire to protest a cause with the risks of getting or spreading COVID-19, “I think the benefits of protesting are even more in favor of protesting now,” Chin-Hong told KQED in 2022. That “risk/benefit calculus,” as he puts it, is even more in favor of attending a rally — “because we have so many tools to keep people safer,” from vaccines and boosters to improved COVID-19 treatment if someone \u003cem>is\u003c/em> hospitalized.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story includes reporting from KQED’s Lakshmi Sarah, Lisa Pickoff-White, Carly Severn and Nisa Khan. Beth LaBerge and \u003c/em>\u003cem>Peter Arcuni also contributed. A version of this story originally published on April 23, 2021.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, helpful explainers and guides about issues like COVID-19\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger, and help us decide what to cover here on our site, and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[hearken id=\"10483\" src=\"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js\"]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n","stats":{"hasVideo":false,"hasChartOrMap":false,"hasAudio":false,"hasPolis":false,"wordCount":2709,"hasGoogleForm":false,"hasGallery":false,"hasHearkenModule":true,"iframeSrcs":[],"paragraphCount":61},"modified":1713995948,"excerpt":"Here are some tips on safety and preparation, should you choose to participate in a protest about a cause you care about.","headData":{"twImgId":"","twTitle":"","ogTitle":"","ogImgId":"","twDescription":"","description":"Here are some tips on safety and preparation, should you choose to participate in a protest about a cause you care about.","title":"How to Attend a Rally Safely in the Bay Area: Your Rights, Protections and the Police | KQED","ogDescription":"","schema":{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"How to Attend a Rally Safely in the Bay Area: Your Rights, Protections and the Police","datePublished":"2024-04-23T14:25:59-07:00","dateModified":"2024-04-24T14:59:08-07:00","image":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png","isAccessibleForFree":"True","publisher":{"@type":"NewsMediaOrganization","@id":"https://www.kqed.org/#organization","name":"KQED","url":"https://www.kqed.org","logo":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"}}},"guestAuthors":[],"slug":"how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area","status":"publish","sourceUrl":"http://kqed.org/news","excludeFromSiteSearch":"Include","sticky":false,"source":"News","articleAge":"0","path":"/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area","audioTrackLength":null,"parsedContent":[{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003ci data-stringify-type=\"italic\">This story was originally published on June 24, 2022, and was last updated at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 24.\u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Months into 2024, the Bay Area has seen many passionate demonstrations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These range from students \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11971577/berkeleys-peoples-park-cleared-by-police-7-arrested\">opposing construction replacing People’s Park in Berkeley\u003c/a> and a march in response to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11983701/sweeps-kill-bay-area-homeless-advocates-weigh-in-on-pivotal-u-s-supreme-court-case\">a Supreme Court case addressing how cities can respond to homelessness\u003c/a> to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/gaza\">protests, rallies and vigils drawing thousands of people around the region in support of a cease-fire in Gaza\u003c/a> — joining direct action taking place nationwide.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#start\">Tips on what to have ready before going to a protest.\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>These latest protests included \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11982940/protesters-shut-down-880-freeway-in-oakland-as-part-of-economic-blockade-for-gaza\">a series of actions on April 15 that blocked I-880 in Oakland and the Golden Gate Bridge\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.berkeleyside.org/2024/04/22/uc-berkeley-protest-sit-in-gaza-war-cal-investments\">a sit-in at UC Berkeley\u003c/a>. These protests follow \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/columbia-yale-israel-palestinians-protests-56c3d9d0a278c15ed8e4132a75ea9599\">student protests at other universities, including Columbia and Yale\u003c/a>. (Read more about the decadeslong background from \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/series/1205445976/middle-east-crisis\">NPR in their ‘Middle East crisis — explained’ series\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11965032\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11965032 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/231018-StudentWalkoutGaza-011-BL-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A young woman stands in front of a high school building. She looks away from the camera and has the Palestinian flag painted on her rigth cheek.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/231018-StudentWalkoutGaza-011-BL-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/231018-StudentWalkoutGaza-011-BL-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/231018-StudentWalkoutGaza-011-BL-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/231018-StudentWalkoutGaza-011-BL-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/231018-StudentWalkoutGaza-011-BL-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Deena, a high school student, participates in a walkout to demand a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in San Francisco on Oct. 18, 2023. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Bay Area has a long history of protest. But if you plan on attending a rally, how can you stay safe? What are your rights as a protester?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If this is the first time you or your friends will go to a protest, make sure to bookmark this guide, as our team frequently updates it with new information.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"aside","attributes":{"named":{"postid":"news_11967439,news_11955465,news_11871364,news_11827832","label":"Related Guides From KQED "},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And remember: If you’re unable to join a rally or protest in person for whatever reason but want to make your stance on an issue known, you always have the option to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967439/how-can-i-call-my-representative-a-step-by-step-guide-to-the-process\">contact your elected officials to express your opinions\u003c/a>. For more information on what “call your reps” actually means, how to do it, and what to expect as a result, read our explainer, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967439/how-can-i-call-my-representative-a-step-by-step-guide-to-the-process\">How Can I Call My Representative? A Step-by-Step Guide to the Process\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"start\">\u003c/a>Have a plan — and then a backup plan\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>There’s a lot you can do before a protest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Travel with friends\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Choose a meeting place beforehand in the event you get separated. You may also want to designate a friend who is not at the protest as someone you can check in with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Charge your phone. However, some activist groups also recommend taking digital security measures, such as disabling the fingerprint unlock feature to prevent a police officer from forcing you to unlock the phone. Others also recommend turning off text preview on messages and using a more secure messaging app, such as Signal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also, make sure that you can function without a phone. Consider writing down important phone numbers and keeping them with you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pack a small bag\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bring only essentials such as water, snacks, hand sanitizer and an extra phone charger.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The active component in tear gas adheres to moisture on your face. So it’s also a good idea to pack an extra mask or face covering in case you are exposed to tear gas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some people \u003ca href=\"https://lifehacker.com/how-to-protest-safely-and-legally-5859590\">recommend bringing basic medical supplies and a bandana soaked in vinegar\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.popsci.com/story/diy/tear-gas-guide/\">in water in a sealed plastic bag\u003c/a> in case there is tear gas. Others recommend a small bottle of water — or even better, a squirt bottle — to pour on your face and eyes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you get tear-gassed, it is often recommended to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Close your eyes.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Hold your breath.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Get out of the area as soon as possible.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Rinse your eyes when possible (ideally using what you have packed with you).\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Research the intended protest route\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This may be confusing since there’s not always a clearly stated route (a protest is, or course, not a parade), but some protests have preplanned routes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>By knowing where the protest is headed, you will be able to plan how you might \u003ca href=\"https://netpol.org/guide-to-kettles/\">avoid being caught in a “kettle”\u003c/a> or other containment method — and be able to leave when you are ready.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Know who is organizing the protest\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s worth doing some research on the people and groups behind any protest you plan to attend to make sure it’s in alignment with your values and objectives. During certain Black Lives Matter protests in San Diego in June 2020, for instance, organizers warned demonstrators to avoid specific events they said likely had been surreptitiously coordinated by white nationalist groups.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Know your rights\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You are entitled to free speech and freedom of assembly. However, your rights can be unclear during curfews and shelter-in-place orders. The American Civil Liberties Union has a \u003ca href=\"https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights/#i-want-to-take-pictures-or-shoot-video-at-a-protest\">detailed guide to your rights as a protester or a protest organizer\u003c/a>. Notably, when police issue an order to disperse, it is meant to be the last resort for law enforcement.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If officers issue a dispersal order, they must provide a reasonable opportunity to comply, including sufficient time and a clear, unobstructed exit path,” \u003ca href=\"https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights/#i-want-to-take-pictures-or-shoot-video-at-a-protest\">according to the ACLU\u003c/a>. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11955465/dolores-hill-bomb-legal-rights-spectator-onlooker\">Read our guide to your rights as a spectator.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you are photographing others, it is recommended to respect privacy, as some may not want to have videos or photos taken. This may also depend on context, location and time of day. In some cases journalists, or those documenting events, have been the target of tear gas and rubber bullets.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What else do you need information about right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The First Amendment gives you the right to film police who are actively performing their duties, and bystander videos can provide important counternarratives to official accounts. Read our \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11871364/recording-the-police-what-to-know-and-how-to-stay-safe-doing-it\">guide to filming encounters with the police safely and ethically\u003c/a> and where to share your footage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Additional information can be found from the ACLU and the National Lawyers Guild — the NLG has \u003ca href=\"https://www.nlg.org/know-your-rights/\">pocket-sized know-your-rights guides\u003c/a> in multiple languages. Writing the number for the NLG hotline (and other important numbers such as emergency contacts) on your arm in case you lose your phone or have it confiscated is another suggested way to ensure you have it — should you need it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11958935\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11958935\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS68263_20230822-HomelessLawsuit-17-JY-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A large crowd with signs gathers in front of a large stone building. A line of police officers stands nearby.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS68263_20230822-HomelessLawsuit-17-JY-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS68263_20230822-HomelessLawsuit-17-JY-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS68263_20230822-HomelessLawsuit-17-JY-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS68263_20230822-HomelessLawsuit-17-JY-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS68263_20230822-HomelessLawsuit-17-JY-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS68263_20230822-HomelessLawsuit-17-JY-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Protesters, counter-protesters, and SFPD are seen at a rally in front of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. The court is hearing arguments for the city’s appeal of an injunction filed by the Coalition on Homelessness, which has temporarily kept city workers from removing encampments on the streets. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Be aware of your surroundings\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>During the first few days of George Floyd protests in the Bay Area in June 2020, there were fireworks, fires, rubber bullets, tear gas, flash-bangs and even some gunshots. Being aware of your surroundings includes having an understanding of what possible actions may occur around you.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Know the possible law enforcement ramifications of attending a protest\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>On April 17, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11983413/could-protesters-who-shut-down-golden-gate-bridge-be-charged-with-false-imprisonment\">she was considering charging a group of pro-Palestinian protesters\u003c/a> with a felony for \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11982940/protesters-shut-down-880-freeway-in-oakland-as-part-of-economic-blockade-for-gaza\">blocking Bay Area freeways\u003c/a>. People who were stuck in traffic on the bridge, Jenkins \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11983413/could-protesters-who-shut-down-golden-gate-bridge-be-charged-with-false-imprisonment\">wrote on X\u003c/a>, “may be entitled to restitution + have other victim rights guaranteed under Marsy’s law.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>ACLU Northern California’s legal director, Shilpi Agarwal said she found the move by Jenkins had the potential to cast a “chilling effect” on speech in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Lawful protests are, by design, meant to be visible and inconvenient,” Agarwal said. And while the government can place “reasonable limits on protest” in what is called \u003ca href=\"https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/time-place-and-manner-restrictions/\">a “time, place, and manner restriction\u003c/a>” — meaning authorities can call for certain parameters of protest for safety or other people using the space — the government may \u003ci>not \u003c/i>tell people they cannot protest. And in public spaces, Agarwal said, “people are allowed to protest.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What kinds of law enforcement charges could protesters face, however? Agarwal said while \u003ca href=\"https://www.aclunc.org/our-work/know-your-rights\">charges for protests can be nuanced\u003c/a>, at a basic level, if you are engaged in a protest and encounter police officers who then determine for “some reason” you have violated the “parameters” of the protest, there are usually three charging options available to officers:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>An infraction: typically a ticket where you show your ID, get a citation and may have to appear in court. Usually, an infraction is just a fine to pay.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A misdemeanor: for which “you rarely serve” jail time for low-level offenses, Agarwal said.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A felony: A more serious criminal charge that usually brings jail time.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Agarwal said the “vast majority of offenses that are commonly charged at protests, when the police do get involved, are typically infractions or misdemeanors.” Common provisions for protesters have been something like resisting arrest, disrupting a public meeting, and failing to disperse.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Center for Protest Law and Litigation’s senior counsel, Rachel Lederman, said restitution is common in criminal cases, adding that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967536/protesters-calling-for-gaza-ceasefire-block-bay-bridges-westbound-lanes\">pro-Palestinian protesters who blocked the Bay Bridge\u003c/a> in November 2023 are currently paying “a very small amount of restitution to one person who had a specific medical bill, that they attributed to the traffic blockage.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On April 22, California State Assemblymember Kate Sanchez introduced \u003ca href=\"https://www.courthousenews.com/california-bill-would-create-new-infraction-for-protesters-who-block-highways/\">a bill before the Assembly Transportation Committee\u003c/a> that would create a new infraction for those who obstruct a highway during a protest that affects an emergency vehicle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bill proposes a fine of between $200 and $500 for the first offense, $300 and $1000 for the second offense and $500 to $1000 for additional offenses.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Reminder: Your rights are at their highest in a public forum\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When considering your rights, take into account the location where a protest may take place — it could be a campus, a city council meeting, or a usually busy road. And Agarwal said that while the law is complicated and can vary in different situations, First Amendment rights are generally “at their highest when something is a public forum” — that is, a place like a sidewalk or a public plaza.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Aside from the \u003ca href=\"https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/time-place-and-manner-restrictions/\">time, place, and manner restriction\u003c/a>, “when you have a public forum, there is very, very little that the government can do to regulate your speech,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Conversely, First Amendment rights are at their lowest at places like private homes, Agarwal said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t mean that you have no rights, but it does mean that whenever and wherever you are on something that is not a public forum, the strength of your First Amendment rights starts to wane,” she said. “And the government can do more to regulate what you can and cannot say.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Remember there are many ways to protest\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>As the disability community continues to remind others, there are many ways to show up. We are still in a pandemic, and you may need to weigh the risks and goals.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can participate in many meaningful ways that don’t include attending an in-person protest or rally. This could include educating yourself, voting, talking to your community and supporting grassroots organizations, as outlined in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13881199/5-ways-to-show-up-for-racial-justice-today\">this 2020 guide from KQED’s Nastia Voynovskaya\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967439/how-can-i-call-my-representative-a-step-by-step-guide-to-the-process\">contact your elected officials to express your opinions\u003c/a>. For more information on what “call your reps” actually means, read our explainer, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967439/how-can-i-call-my-representative-a-step-by-step-guide-to-the-process\">How Can I Call My Representative? A Step-by-Step Guide to the Process\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>COVID is still with us: What to know about your possible risks attending a protest\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The good news: Your risks of getting COVID-19 outdoors remain far lower than your risks indoors — about 20 times less, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, professor of medicine and infectious disease specialist at UCSF.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also, being vaccinated and boosted will greatly reduce your risks of getting very sick, being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19. If you’re not yet boosted, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11960630/free-new-covid-vaccine-near-me-2023\">find the new COVID-19 vaccine shot near you\u003c/a>. If you’re bringing children to a protest with you, remember that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11917289/covid-vaccines-for-kids-under-5-are-here-heres-how-to-find-one\">kids and babies aged 6 months and over can get their primary COVID-19 vaccine series\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But you should still think about your risks of getting (or spreading) COVID-19 at a big event full of people, even when you’re outdoors. As with so many decisions during the pandemic, a lot comes down to your personal risks and circumstances — not just to protect yourself but others, too. “I think it requires people to be thoughtful about who they are, who they live with, and what happens when they leave the protest and go back home,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"fullwidth"},"numeric":["fullwidth"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Consider bringing a mask along regardless\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s not only the number of people you’ll encounter at a protest — it’s what they might be \u003cem>doing\u003c/em>. Even outside, screaming, chanting, coughing and singing all expel more of the particles that can spread COVID-19 than regular activity does, and you may decide to keep your mask on during a protest if it’s a super-crowded space.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You might also find that some protest organizers explicitly request you wear a mask and maintain social distancing at the event, especially if the event is being attended by groups or communities at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There’s also the possibility that you might not \u003cem>stay\u003c/em> outside the whole time. “Whenever you have a protest, nobody just stays necessarily outdoors,” Chin-Hong said, giving pre-protest gatherings and meetings or post-protest dinners as examples.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“These may be done in people’s homes. I think it’s the stuff that goes around the actual outdoor protest that I’m more worried about,” Chin-Hong said. He recommends that people “think about carrying a mask with them, like they carry an umbrella. So that they just bring out the ‘umbrella’ when it’s potentially ‘raining with COVID\u003ci>.\u003c/i>‘”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11965077\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1020px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11965077\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/RS43804_GettyImages-1244191840-1-qut-1020x680-1.jpg\" alt=\"A large crowed with signs crowds around a building that has been fenced off. Many are pushing against the fence and others are carrying signs. Almost all are wearing facemasks.\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/RS43804_GettyImages-1244191840-1-qut-1020x680-1.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/RS43804_GettyImages-1244191840-1-qut-1020x680-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/RS43804_GettyImages-1244191840-1-qut-1020x680-1-160x107.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Protesters take a knee during a demonstration outside of Mission Police Station to honor of George Floyd on June 3, 2020, in San Francisco. Three years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still common to see people wearing facemasks at protests to protect themselves from a possible coronavirus infection.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Back in 2021, Chin-Hong told KQED that protests against racist violence and the killing of Black people by police were themselves “a response to a public health threat, if you think about the impact of structural racism and stress on health care.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now, when it comes to weighing the desire to protest a cause with the risks of getting or spreading COVID-19, “I think the benefits of protesting are even more in favor of protesting now,” Chin-Hong told KQED in 2022. That “risk/benefit calculus,” as he puts it, is even more in favor of attending a rally — “because we have so many tools to keep people safer,” from vaccines and boosters to improved COVID-19 treatment if someone \u003cem>is\u003c/em> hospitalized.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story includes reporting from KQED’s Lakshmi Sarah, Lisa Pickoff-White, Carly Severn and Nisa Khan. Beth LaBerge and \u003c/em>\u003cem>Peter Arcuni also contributed. A version of this story originally published on April 23, 2021.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, helpful explainers and guides about issues like COVID-19\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger, and help us decide what to cover here on our site, and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"hearken","attributes":{"named":{"id":"10483","src":"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js","label":""},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"floatright"},"numeric":["floatright"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}}],"link":"/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area","authors":["236"],"categories":["news_223","news_8","news_13"],"tags":["news_21077","news_32707","news_1386","news_19971","news_28067","news_18538","news_29029","news_28044","news_6631","news_28031","news_18","news_28041","news_29475","news_29198"],"featImg":"news_11947885","label":"source_news_11821950"},"news_11940562":{"type":"posts","id":"news_11940562","meta":{"index":"posts_1716263798","site":"news","id":"11940562","score":null,"sort":[1709926223000]},"parent":0,"labelTerm":{"site":"news"},"blocks":[],"publishDate":1709926223,"format":"standard","title":"Today Is Your Last Chance to Order Free COVID Tests via USPS","headTitle":"Today Is Your Last Chance to Order Free COVID Tests via USPS | KQED","content":"\u003cp>Today — Friday, March 8 — is your last chance to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11901928/you-can-now-order-free-covid-at-home-tests-via-usps\">order four free at-home COVID-19 tests \u003c/a>from the federal government through the United States Postal Service (USPS).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A message on the \u003ca href=\"https://covidtests.gov/\">covidtests.gov\u003c/a> site states, “Ordering four free COVID-19 tests via this website will be suspended after Friday, March 8, 2024,” and that “All orders placed on or before March 8 will be delivered.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To be extra safe you don’t miss this deadline, place an order for your free COVID-19 tests (if you’re eligible) before midnight Eastern time on Friday, which is 9 p.m. Pacific time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The White House’s free COVID-19 test program, which first launched in 2022, was originally shuttered back in the summer of 2023, only to be reopened in September amid \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know\">a national rise in coronavirus rates and hospitalizations \u003c/a>in part fueled by the emergence of the EG.5 “Eris” variant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_11972313 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/240111-AT-HOME-COVID-TEST-GETTY-MB-KQED-1020x680.jpg']\u003ca href=\"https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4507266-free-covid-19-test-program-to-be-suspended-for-now/\">\u003cem>The Hill\u003c/em> reports that the free COVID-19 test program “may be brought back\u003c/a> again in the future as needed.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The announcement of the free COVID-19 test program’s suspension comes as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11973108/how-long-to-isolate-with-covid-in-2024-california-now-says-that-depends-on-symptoms\">the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidelines on isolating with COVID-19 \u003c/a>that de-emphasize testing in favor of people monitoring their symptoms to judge when they should leave isolation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Previously, the CDC advised that people who have tested positive should stay home for at least five days, regardless of symptoms — but now the agency recommends that \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p0301-respiratory-virus.html\">COVID-positive people can return to work or regular activities\u003c/a> once “symptoms are improving overall,” and they’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medication.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After a rise in COVID-19 numbers earlier this winter — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know\">fueled in part by the new JN.1 variant\u003c/a> — \u003ca href=\"https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#maps_new-admissions-rate-county\">hospitalizations of people with COVID-19 fell nationally\u003c/a> by over 10% in the last week. \u003ca href=\"https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#maps_percent-covid-deaths\">Deaths due to COVID-19 across the United States also fell\u003c/a> by 8.7% in the same period. Last week, the CDC also approved \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11977786/a-new-covid-vaccine-dose-is-now-available-for-people-age-65-and-older-where-can-you-find-a-shot-near-you\">an extra dose of the updated vaccine for older adults aged 65 and older\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Still, as we approach year five of the pandemic, COVID-19 remains with us. And this announcement about the closing of the federal government’s free COVID-19 test program aside, if you’ve been finding it increasingly hard to find a low-cost COVID-19 test more generally, you’re not alone. Use the links below to \u003ca href=\"#COVIDtestsinsurance\">find a free or low-cost COVID-19 test near you\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>, \u003c/strong>or keep reading to find out more about these USPS test kits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to how to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#USPSCOVIDtests\">Order COVID more at-home tests via USPS before March 8\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#findtests\">Find a free or low-cost COVID test near you \u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>You can also \u003ca href=\"#covidincubationtime\">jump straight to the latest information about current COVID-19 incubation times\u003c/a> and the best time to take a COVID-19 test.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11957645\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11957645\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A person with long hair inserts a long cottonswab in her nostril while standing in the doorway of her home.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Janet Franco-Orona swabs her nose for a COVID-19 test at her home in San José on Feb. 3, 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>How the end of the public health emergency affected free COVID testing\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11929285/newsom-to-end-californias-covid-state-of-emergency-in-february\">California’s pandemic state of emergency ended over a year ago on Feb. 28, 2023\u003c/a>, ahead of \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2023/01/31/1152903841/covids-emergency-status-ends-in-may-heres-how-it-will-impact-funding-and-policie\">the end of the U.S.’s wider emergency status on May 11, 2023. \u003c/a>These states of emergency gave government officials more flexibility to act faster and bypass certain bureaucratic barriers to respond to the health crisis that’s now well into its third year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ending those executive orders meant a large portion of funding for free COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinics then ended — and costs for individuals have now crept up accordingly. For example, after May 11, 2023, the federal government stopped requiring insurance companies in the United States to reimburse families for eight at-home COVID-19 tests per month.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Californians have a little more wiggle room on that front. Thanks to a state bill passed in October 2021, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11902122/at-home-covid-test-reimbursement-from-blue-shield-to-kaiser-how-to-get-your-health-insurance-to-pay-you-back\">Californians can still claim reimbursement from their health insurer for rapid antigen tests\u003c/a>, although as of November 2023, those tests have to be obtained “in-network.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_11973108 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-1361590305-1-1020x680.jpg']To be sure, the virus by no means vanished after the emergency orders ended. In 2024, COVID-19 continues to affect lives every day and testing can still be a key tool for reducing your risks of infecting others.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here are some pointers on how to secure a COVID-19 test.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"USPSCOVIDtests\">\u003c/a>Order free at-home COVID tests from the US government via USPS\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Friday, March 8, is your last chance to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11901928/you-can-now-order-free-covid-at-home-tests-via-usps\">order four free at-home COVID-19 antigen tests from covidtests.gov.\u003c/a> No payment or credit card details will be required to place an order. You also won’t need to provide any ID or health insurance information.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can \u003ca href=\"https://special.usps.com/testkits\">place your order for these four free COVID-19 tests online at USPS.com (the direct link from covidtests.gov)\u003c/a> or order from USPS by phone at 800-232-0233.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After placing an order, you’ll also see a message that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the expiration dates on these tests. So don’t worry if you see “expired” on any box of tests you receive — you can still use them.\u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\"> See the FDA’s full list of expiration date extensions.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Every residential address (and \u003ca href=\"https://faq.usps.com/s/article/At-Home-COVID-19-Test-Kits\">residential P.O. box\u003c/a>) in the United States is eligible to receive one order of four at-home COVID-19 tests — not every person or every family. This means multiple orders to the same address under different names won’t be processed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For example, if you live with several roommates or in a large multigenerational household, only one person can place an order for that address. Realistically, this might mean that the tests you receive are not enough to cover everyone in your household.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11909889\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2560px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11909889 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/gettyimages-1239245283-17cffb6eec48649d7f7d32a186d471e0213b6ffa-scaled.jpg\" alt='A woman with black hair and dark brown skin, wearing a black skirt and bright pink sweater walks across a stone plaza in the background. In the foreground is a blue sign saying \"No Cost To You\" COVID-19 Testing. A pink swirl wraps around the words: No Cost To You.' width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/gettyimages-1239245283-17cffb6eec48649d7f7d32a186d471e0213b6ffa-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/gettyimages-1239245283-17cffb6eec48649d7f7d32a186d471e0213b6ffa-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/gettyimages-1239245283-17cffb6eec48649d7f7d32a186d471e0213b6ffa-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/gettyimages-1239245283-17cffb6eec48649d7f7d32a186d471e0213b6ffa-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/gettyimages-1239245283-17cffb6eec48649d7f7d32a186d471e0213b6ffa-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/gettyimages-1239245283-17cffb6eec48649d7f7d32a186d471e0213b6ffa-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/gettyimages-1239245283-17cffb6eec48649d7f7d32a186d471e0213b6ffa-1920x1440.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">COVID-19 testing has changed hugely over the course of the pandemic. \u003ccite>(Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>This program is separate from the one that allows folks with private health insurance to get reimbursed for the cost of at-home COVID-19 tests. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11901928/you-can-now-order-free-covid-at-home-tests-via-usps#reimburse\">Read more about getting reimbursed by your health insurer for at-home tests.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"COVIDtestsinsurance\">\u003c/a>Find a COVID test through your health care provider\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you are insured with major Bay Area providers such as Kaiser Permanente or Sutter Health, the easiest option to secure a COVID-19 test may be to make an appointment through that particular provider. Most providers offer sign-ups online through a member’s login, and appointments can also be made by phone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember that people with private insurance may experience new out-of-pocket costs for PCR tests after the end of the emergency orders in 2023, depending on the provider.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-diagnostic-tests\">Medicare will continue to cover PCR test costs.\u003c/a> And under the American Rescue Plan, people on Medicaid can continue to get free at-home tests until September 2024.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most people, regardless of insurance coverage, will have to pay for over-the-counter rapid at-home COVID-19 tests after the federal emergency order ends. Thanks to a state bill passed in October 2021, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11902122/at-home-covid-test-reimbursement-from-blue-shield-to-kaiser-how-to-get-your-health-insurance-to-pay-you-back\">Californians can still claim reimbursement from their health insurer for rapid antigen tests\u003c/a>, although as of November 2023, those tests have to be obtained “in-network.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Find a COVID test through California’s statewide testing map\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://myturn.ca.gov/testing.html\">California’s map of COVID-19 testing and treatment sites\u003c/a> will remain up and running after the state of emergency ends.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since so many vaccination sites have closed in 2023 with the end of the emergency orders, call ahead before making the trip for a drop-in, just in case a site closure isn’t reflected on this map.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11902349\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11902349 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/RS53252_GettyImages-1237291550-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A hand holds an at-home COVID test, while another person's hand points to the test.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/RS53252_GettyImages-1237291550-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/RS53252_GettyImages-1237291550-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/RS53252_GettyImages-1237291550-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/RS53252_GettyImages-1237291550-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/RS53252_GettyImages-1237291550-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Free COVID-19 tests are much harder to find in 2023. \u003ccite>(Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"findtests\">\u003c/a>Find a COVID test through the CDC’s No-Cost Testing Locator\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The CDC still maintains\u003ca href=\"https://testinglocator.cdc.gov/\"> a nationwide map of COVID-19 testing locations at testinglocator.cdc.gov,\u003c/a> and all testing facilities listed on the site “are available at no cost for people without health insurance” through the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the Bay Area, you’ll find that the locations returned when you \u003ca href=\"https://testinglocator.cdc.gov/Search\">search for a free COVID-19 test through testinglocator.cdc.gov\u003c/a> are primarily pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, and Quest Patient Service Centers.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"COVIDtestscounty\">\u003c/a>Find a COVID test through your Bay Area county\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The majority of the county testing sites you saw at the height of the pandemic have now shut down — but your county may have several sites still operating, often in partnership with community groups.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Updated testing site locations can be found at each county’s testing webpage below, although you may find some of these pages redirect you to the state or U.S. testing location finders instead.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://covid-19.acgov.org/testing.page\">Alameda County COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://berkeleyca.gov/safety-health/covid-19/get-tested-covid-19\">City of Berkeley COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://cchealth.org/covid19/testing/\">Contra Costa County COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/testing\">Marin County COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/2776/Testing\">Napa County COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sf.gov/find-out-about-your-covid-19-testing-options\">San Francisco city and county COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://covid19.sccgov.org/covid-19-testing\">Santa Clara County COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/ph/coronavirus_links/faq___community_testing_sites.asp\">Solano County COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/testing-and-tracing/\">Sonoma County COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcgov.org/covid-19-testing\">San Mateo COVID-19 testing page\u003c/a> now says that “State-sponsored COVID-19 testing has ended in San Mateo County” and that PCR and antigen tests “remain widely available through health care providers and pharmacies.” \u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/health-and-human-services/health-services/divisions/public-health/disease-control/covid-19\">Sonoma County’s COVID-19 testing page\u003c/a> does not offer county residents any free or low-cost testing locations or resources without insurance and instead says that you should “request a test from your health care provider or use an over-the-counter antigen test purchased at a local pharmacy.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html\">a list of community-based testing sites around the country\u003c/a>. Select California in the “Find Testing Resources” dropdown.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Find a COVID test through your local public library\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11970001/free-covid-tests-near-me-public-library\">Many libraries around the Bay Area began giving out antigen tests earlier this winter\u003c/a> to anyone who wanted one — with no proof of library card or county residency required. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11970001/free-covid-tests-near-me-public-library\">Your local public library may still be offering free COVID-19 tests.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"COVIDtestsprivate\">\u003c/a>Find a COVID test through private providers\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Always\u003c/em> check to see how much you might be charged for a COVID-19 test at these private testing facilities before your visit. Below are some of the private providers still offering COVID-19 testing in the Bay Area:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.covidclinic.org/testing-sites\">COVID Clinic COVID testing\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://carbonhealth.com/covid-testing\">Carbon Health COVID testing\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://care.cityhealth.com/\">CityHealth COVID testing\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"COVIDtestspharmacy\">\u003c/a>Find a COVID test at your local pharmacy\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/covid19/pcrpickup\">Walgreens offers free PCR tests to take home and mail in\u003c/a>, with results in about two days. Walgreens says that no insurance is required, but you must register your collection kit with Labcorp to receive results.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_11914514 hero='https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/RS56314_GettyImages-1387450683-qut-1020x680.jpg']Other pharmacies that previously offered free COVID-19 testing on-site, in a pharmacy location, have started charging for those same tests after the end of the federal emergency. Be careful to read the billing details if you are uninsured and it is marked as “free” or “no-cost.” Check the following pharmacy websites to see what’s available in your area:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/covid19/testing?ban=covid_vanity_testing\">Walgreens COVID-19 testing\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing\">CVS COVID-19 testing\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/services/covid-19-testing\">Rite Aid COVID-19 testing\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, you can also purchase at-home COVID-19 testing kits from a pharmacy and request reimbursement from your insurer. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11902122/at-home-covid-test-reimbursement-from-blue-shield-to-kaiser-how-to-get-your-health-insurance-to-pay-you-back\">Find out how to claim reimbursement from your insurer for rapid antigen tests.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"COVIDtestsschool\">\u003c/a>Find a COVID test from your school district\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Many Bay Area school districts have offered COVID-19 testing for students and staff — and sometimes the families of students — during the pandemic, and some may have continued their programs into this school year. For example, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ousd.org/covid-19updates\">Oakland Unified still offers at-home COVID-19 tests for students to take home. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check directly with your child’s school.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"covidincubationtime\">\u003c/a>A reminder on \u003cem>when\u003c/em> to test for COVID\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Regardless of your vaccination status, if you’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you should get tested. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know#eriscovidsymptoms\">Remind yourself of the COVID-19 symptoms to watch for\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for the best time to test, if you’ve heard that incubation times for the virus are getting shorter — that is, the amount of time between getting exposed to COVID-19 and testing positive — it’s true. People are testing positive for COVID-19 more quickly than in 2020, when the average incubation period was five days because the incubation period has changed with each new variant, confirms Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF. In 2024, he says, it now makes sense to take a test as early as two days after a possible exposure if you’re experiencing symptoms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But there’s another wrinkle: Some medical experts say they’ve noticed that at this stage of the pandemic, it’s often taking much \u003cem>longer\u003c/em> for people to get a positive test result on an at-home antigen test. In other words, they’re observing that people with COVID-19 symptoms are taking an antigen test and getting a negative result — only to get a positive result on a different test several days later. This means that many people could wrongly assume they don’t have COVID-19 after that first negative test and then inadvertently spread the virus to friends and family. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11972313/negative-covid-test-incubation-period\">Read more about why your COVID-19 symptoms might be starting earlier and what to do if you initially test negative.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>An earlier version of this story originally published on Sept. 28, 2023.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n","stats":{"hasVideo":false,"hasChartOrMap":false,"hasAudio":false,"hasPolis":false,"wordCount":2381,"hasGoogleForm":false,"hasGallery":false,"hasHearkenModule":false,"iframeSrcs":[],"paragraphCount":47},"modified":1709926705,"excerpt":"Free COVID tests will no longer be available through USPS after Friday, March 8. Here's how to order yours, and where to find free COVID tests near you in the Bay Area.","headData":{"twImgId":"","twTitle":"","ogTitle":"","ogImgId":"","twDescription":"","description":"Free COVID tests will no longer be available through USPS after Friday, March 8. Here's how to order yours, and where to find free COVID tests near you in the Bay Area.","title":"Today Is Your Last Chance to Order Free COVID Tests via USPS | KQED","ogDescription":"","schema":{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Today Is Your Last Chance to Order Free COVID Tests via USPS","datePublished":"2024-03-08T11:30:23-08:00","dateModified":"2024-03-08T11:38:25-08:00","image":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png","isAccessibleForFree":"True","publisher":{"@type":"NewsMediaOrganization","@id":"https://www.kqed.org/#organization","name":"KQED","url":"https://www.kqed.org","logo":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"}}},"guestAuthors":[],"slug":"how-to-find-a-free-covid-test-near-you-in-2023-because-its-getting-harder","status":"publish","excludeFromSiteSearch":"Include","sticky":false,"articleAge":"0","path":"/news/11940562/how-to-find-a-free-covid-test-near-you-in-2023-because-its-getting-harder","audioTrackLength":null,"parsedContent":[{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Today — Friday, March 8 — is your last chance to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11901928/you-can-now-order-free-covid-at-home-tests-via-usps\">order four free at-home COVID-19 tests \u003c/a>from the federal government through the United States Postal Service (USPS).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A message on the \u003ca href=\"https://covidtests.gov/\">covidtests.gov\u003c/a> site states, “Ordering four free COVID-19 tests via this website will be suspended after Friday, March 8, 2024,” and that “All orders placed on or before March 8 will be delivered.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To be extra safe you don’t miss this deadline, place an order for your free COVID-19 tests (if you’re eligible) before midnight Eastern time on Friday, which is 9 p.m. Pacific time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The White House’s free COVID-19 test program, which first launched in 2022, was originally shuttered back in the summer of 2023, only to be reopened in September amid \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know\">a national rise in coronavirus rates and hospitalizations \u003c/a>in part fueled by the emergence of the EG.5 “Eris” variant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"aside","attributes":{"named":{"postid":"news_11972313","hero":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/240111-AT-HOME-COVID-TEST-GETTY-MB-KQED-1020x680.jpg","label":""},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4507266-free-covid-19-test-program-to-be-suspended-for-now/\">\u003cem>The Hill\u003c/em> reports that the free COVID-19 test program “may be brought back\u003c/a> again in the future as needed.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The announcement of the free COVID-19 test program’s suspension comes as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11973108/how-long-to-isolate-with-covid-in-2024-california-now-says-that-depends-on-symptoms\">the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidelines on isolating with COVID-19 \u003c/a>that de-emphasize testing in favor of people monitoring their symptoms to judge when they should leave isolation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Previously, the CDC advised that people who have tested positive should stay home for at least five days, regardless of symptoms — but now the agency recommends that \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p0301-respiratory-virus.html\">COVID-positive people can return to work or regular activities\u003c/a> once “symptoms are improving overall,” and they’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medication.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After a rise in COVID-19 numbers earlier this winter — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know\">fueled in part by the new JN.1 variant\u003c/a> — \u003ca href=\"https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#maps_new-admissions-rate-county\">hospitalizations of people with COVID-19 fell nationally\u003c/a> by over 10% in the last week. \u003ca href=\"https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#maps_percent-covid-deaths\">Deaths due to COVID-19 across the United States also fell\u003c/a> by 8.7% in the same period. Last week, the CDC also approved \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11977786/a-new-covid-vaccine-dose-is-now-available-for-people-age-65-and-older-where-can-you-find-a-shot-near-you\">an extra dose of the updated vaccine for older adults aged 65 and older\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Still, as we approach year five of the pandemic, COVID-19 remains with us. And this announcement about the closing of the federal government’s free COVID-19 test program aside, if you’ve been finding it increasingly hard to find a low-cost COVID-19 test more generally, you’re not alone. Use the links below to \u003ca href=\"#COVIDtestsinsurance\">find a free or low-cost COVID-19 test near you\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>, \u003c/strong>or keep reading to find out more about these USPS test kits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to how to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#USPSCOVIDtests\">Order COVID more at-home tests via USPS before March 8\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#findtests\">Find a free or low-cost COVID test near you \u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>You can also \u003ca href=\"#covidincubationtime\">jump straight to the latest information about current COVID-19 incubation times\u003c/a> and the best time to take a COVID-19 test.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11957645\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11957645\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A person with long hair inserts a long cottonswab in her nostril while standing in the doorway of her home.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Janet Franco-Orona swabs her nose for a COVID-19 test at her home in San José on Feb. 3, 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>How the end of the public health emergency affected free COVID testing\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11929285/newsom-to-end-californias-covid-state-of-emergency-in-february\">California’s pandemic state of emergency ended over a year ago on Feb. 28, 2023\u003c/a>, ahead of \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2023/01/31/1152903841/covids-emergency-status-ends-in-may-heres-how-it-will-impact-funding-and-policie\">the end of the U.S.’s wider emergency status on May 11, 2023. \u003c/a>These states of emergency gave government officials more flexibility to act faster and bypass certain bureaucratic barriers to respond to the health crisis that’s now well into its third year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ending those executive orders meant a large portion of funding for free COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinics then ended — and costs for individuals have now crept up accordingly. For example, after May 11, 2023, the federal government stopped requiring insurance companies in the United States to reimburse families for eight at-home COVID-19 tests per month.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Californians have a little more wiggle room on that front. Thanks to a state bill passed in October 2021, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11902122/at-home-covid-test-reimbursement-from-blue-shield-to-kaiser-how-to-get-your-health-insurance-to-pay-you-back\">Californians can still claim reimbursement from their health insurer for rapid antigen tests\u003c/a>, although as of November 2023, those tests have to be obtained “in-network.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"aside","attributes":{"named":{"postid":"news_11973108","hero":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-1361590305-1-1020x680.jpg","label":""},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>To be sure, the virus by no means vanished after the emergency orders ended. In 2024, COVID-19 continues to affect lives every day and testing can still be a key tool for reducing your risks of infecting others.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here are some pointers on how to secure a COVID-19 test.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"USPSCOVIDtests\">\u003c/a>Order free at-home COVID tests from the US government via USPS\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Friday, March 8, is your last chance to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11901928/you-can-now-order-free-covid-at-home-tests-via-usps\">order four free at-home COVID-19 antigen tests from covidtests.gov.\u003c/a> No payment or credit card details will be required to place an order. You also won’t need to provide any ID or health insurance information.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can \u003ca href=\"https://special.usps.com/testkits\">place your order for these four free COVID-19 tests online at USPS.com (the direct link from covidtests.gov)\u003c/a> or order from USPS by phone at 800-232-0233.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After placing an order, you’ll also see a message that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the expiration dates on these tests. So don’t worry if you see “expired” on any box of tests you receive — you can still use them.\u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\"> See the FDA’s full list of expiration date extensions.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Every residential address (and \u003ca href=\"https://faq.usps.com/s/article/At-Home-COVID-19-Test-Kits\">residential P.O. box\u003c/a>) in the United States is eligible to receive one order of four at-home COVID-19 tests — not every person or every family. This means multiple orders to the same address under different names won’t be processed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For example, if you live with several roommates or in a large multigenerational household, only one person can place an order for that address. Realistically, this might mean that the tests you receive are not enough to cover everyone in your household.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11909889\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2560px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11909889 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/gettyimages-1239245283-17cffb6eec48649d7f7d32a186d471e0213b6ffa-scaled.jpg\" alt='A woman with black hair and dark brown skin, wearing a black skirt and bright pink sweater walks across a stone plaza in the background. In the foreground is a blue sign saying \"No Cost To You\" COVID-19 Testing. A pink swirl wraps around the words: No Cost To You.' width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/gettyimages-1239245283-17cffb6eec48649d7f7d32a186d471e0213b6ffa-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/gettyimages-1239245283-17cffb6eec48649d7f7d32a186d471e0213b6ffa-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/gettyimages-1239245283-17cffb6eec48649d7f7d32a186d471e0213b6ffa-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/gettyimages-1239245283-17cffb6eec48649d7f7d32a186d471e0213b6ffa-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/gettyimages-1239245283-17cffb6eec48649d7f7d32a186d471e0213b6ffa-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/gettyimages-1239245283-17cffb6eec48649d7f7d32a186d471e0213b6ffa-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/gettyimages-1239245283-17cffb6eec48649d7f7d32a186d471e0213b6ffa-1920x1440.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">COVID-19 testing has changed hugely over the course of the pandemic. \u003ccite>(Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>This program is separate from the one that allows folks with private health insurance to get reimbursed for the cost of at-home COVID-19 tests. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11901928/you-can-now-order-free-covid-at-home-tests-via-usps#reimburse\">Read more about getting reimbursed by your health insurer for at-home tests.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"COVIDtestsinsurance\">\u003c/a>Find a COVID test through your health care provider\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you are insured with major Bay Area providers such as Kaiser Permanente or Sutter Health, the easiest option to secure a COVID-19 test may be to make an appointment through that particular provider. Most providers offer sign-ups online through a member’s login, and appointments can also be made by phone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember that people with private insurance may experience new out-of-pocket costs for PCR tests after the end of the emergency orders in 2023, depending on the provider.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-diagnostic-tests\">Medicare will continue to cover PCR test costs.\u003c/a> And under the American Rescue Plan, people on Medicaid can continue to get free at-home tests until September 2024.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most people, regardless of insurance coverage, will have to pay for over-the-counter rapid at-home COVID-19 tests after the federal emergency order ends. Thanks to a state bill passed in October 2021, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11902122/at-home-covid-test-reimbursement-from-blue-shield-to-kaiser-how-to-get-your-health-insurance-to-pay-you-back\">Californians can still claim reimbursement from their health insurer for rapid antigen tests\u003c/a>, although as of November 2023, those tests have to be obtained “in-network.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Find a COVID test through California’s statewide testing map\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://myturn.ca.gov/testing.html\">California’s map of COVID-19 testing and treatment sites\u003c/a> will remain up and running after the state of emergency ends.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since so many vaccination sites have closed in 2023 with the end of the emergency orders, call ahead before making the trip for a drop-in, just in case a site closure isn’t reflected on this map.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11902349\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11902349 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/RS53252_GettyImages-1237291550-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A hand holds an at-home COVID test, while another person's hand points to the test.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/RS53252_GettyImages-1237291550-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/RS53252_GettyImages-1237291550-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/RS53252_GettyImages-1237291550-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/RS53252_GettyImages-1237291550-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/RS53252_GettyImages-1237291550-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Free COVID-19 tests are much harder to find in 2023. \u003ccite>(Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"findtests\">\u003c/a>Find a COVID test through the CDC’s No-Cost Testing Locator\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The CDC still maintains\u003ca href=\"https://testinglocator.cdc.gov/\"> a nationwide map of COVID-19 testing locations at testinglocator.cdc.gov,\u003c/a> and all testing facilities listed on the site “are available at no cost for people without health insurance” through the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the Bay Area, you’ll find that the locations returned when you \u003ca href=\"https://testinglocator.cdc.gov/Search\">search for a free COVID-19 test through testinglocator.cdc.gov\u003c/a> are primarily pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, and Quest Patient Service Centers.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"COVIDtestscounty\">\u003c/a>Find a COVID test through your Bay Area county\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The majority of the county testing sites you saw at the height of the pandemic have now shut down — but your county may have several sites still operating, often in partnership with community groups.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Updated testing site locations can be found at each county’s testing webpage below, although you may find some of these pages redirect you to the state or U.S. testing location finders instead.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://covid-19.acgov.org/testing.page\">Alameda County COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://berkeleyca.gov/safety-health/covid-19/get-tested-covid-19\">City of Berkeley COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://cchealth.org/covid19/testing/\">Contra Costa County COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/testing\">Marin County COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/2776/Testing\">Napa County COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://sf.gov/find-out-about-your-covid-19-testing-options\">San Francisco city and county COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://covid19.sccgov.org/covid-19-testing\">Santa Clara County COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/ph/coronavirus_links/faq___community_testing_sites.asp\">Solano County COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/testing-and-tracing/\">Sonoma County COVID-19 tests\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.smcgov.org/covid-19-testing\">San Mateo COVID-19 testing page\u003c/a> now says that “State-sponsored COVID-19 testing has ended in San Mateo County” and that PCR and antigen tests “remain widely available through health care providers and pharmacies.” \u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/health-and-human-services/health-services/divisions/public-health/disease-control/covid-19\">Sonoma County’s COVID-19 testing page\u003c/a> does not offer county residents any free or low-cost testing locations or resources without insurance and instead says that you should “request a test from your health care provider or use an over-the-counter antigen test purchased at a local pharmacy.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html\">a list of community-based testing sites around the country\u003c/a>. Select California in the “Find Testing Resources” dropdown.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Find a COVID test through your local public library\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11970001/free-covid-tests-near-me-public-library\">Many libraries around the Bay Area began giving out antigen tests earlier this winter\u003c/a> to anyone who wanted one — with no proof of library card or county residency required. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11970001/free-covid-tests-near-me-public-library\">Your local public library may still be offering free COVID-19 tests.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"COVIDtestsprivate\">\u003c/a>Find a COVID test through private providers\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Always\u003c/em> check to see how much you might be charged for a COVID-19 test at these private testing facilities before your visit. Below are some of the private providers still offering COVID-19 testing in the Bay Area:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.covidclinic.org/testing-sites\">COVID Clinic COVID testing\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://carbonhealth.com/covid-testing\">Carbon Health COVID testing\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://care.cityhealth.com/\">CityHealth COVID testing\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"fullwidth"},"numeric":["fullwidth"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"COVIDtestspharmacy\">\u003c/a>Find a COVID test at your local pharmacy\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/covid19/pcrpickup\">Walgreens offers free PCR tests to take home and mail in\u003c/a>, with results in about two days. Walgreens says that no insurance is required, but you must register your collection kit with Labcorp to receive results.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"aside","attributes":{"named":{"postid":"news_11914514","hero":"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2022/06/RS56314_GettyImages-1387450683-qut-1020x680.jpg","label":""},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Other pharmacies that previously offered free COVID-19 testing on-site, in a pharmacy location, have started charging for those same tests after the end of the federal emergency. Be careful to read the billing details if you are uninsured and it is marked as “free” or “no-cost.” Check the following pharmacy websites to see what’s available in your area:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/covid19/testing?ban=covid_vanity_testing\">Walgreens COVID-19 testing\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing\">CVS COVID-19 testing\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/services/covid-19-testing\">Rite Aid COVID-19 testing\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, you can also purchase at-home COVID-19 testing kits from a pharmacy and request reimbursement from your insurer. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11902122/at-home-covid-test-reimbursement-from-blue-shield-to-kaiser-how-to-get-your-health-insurance-to-pay-you-back\">Find out how to claim reimbursement from your insurer for rapid antigen tests.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"COVIDtestsschool\">\u003c/a>Find a COVID test from your school district\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Many Bay Area school districts have offered COVID-19 testing for students and staff — and sometimes the families of students — during the pandemic, and some may have continued their programs into this school year. For example, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ousd.org/covid-19updates\">Oakland Unified still offers at-home COVID-19 tests for students to take home. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check directly with your child’s school.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"covidincubationtime\">\u003c/a>A reminder on \u003cem>when\u003c/em> to test for COVID\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Regardless of your vaccination status, if you’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you should get tested. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know#eriscovidsymptoms\">Remind yourself of the COVID-19 symptoms to watch for\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for the best time to test, if you’ve heard that incubation times for the virus are getting shorter — that is, the amount of time between getting exposed to COVID-19 and testing positive — it’s true. People are testing positive for COVID-19 more quickly than in 2020, when the average incubation period was five days because the incubation period has changed with each new variant, confirms Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF. In 2024, he says, it now makes sense to take a test as early as two days after a possible exposure if you’re experiencing symptoms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But there’s another wrinkle: Some medical experts say they’ve noticed that at this stage of the pandemic, it’s often taking much \u003cem>longer\u003c/em> for people to get a positive test result on an at-home antigen test. In other words, they’re observing that people with COVID-19 symptoms are taking an antigen test and getting a negative result — only to get a positive result on a different test several days later. This means that many people could wrongly assume they don’t have COVID-19 after that first negative test and then inadvertently spread the virus to friends and family. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11972313/negative-covid-test-incubation-period\">Read more about why your COVID-19 symptoms might be starting earlier and what to do if you initially test negative.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>An earlier version of this story originally published on Sept. 28, 2023.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"floatright"},"numeric":["floatright"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}}],"link":"/news/11940562/how-to-find-a-free-covid-test-near-you-in-2023-because-its-getting-harder","authors":["11840","3243"],"categories":["news_457","news_8"],"tags":["news_32707","news_18538","news_29029","news_27989","news_29123","news_31167","news_29547"],"featImg":"news_11970050","label":"news"},"news_11977786":{"type":"posts","id":"news_11977786","meta":{"index":"posts_1716263798","site":"news","id":"11977786","score":null,"sort":[1709380826000]},"parent":0,"labelTerm":{"site":"news"},"blocks":[],"publishDate":1709380826,"format":"image","title":"A New COVID Vaccine Dose Is Now Available for People Age 65 and Older. Where Can You Find a Shot Near You?","headTitle":"A New COVID Vaccine Dose Is Now Available for People Age 65 and Older. Where Can You Find a Shot Near You? | KQED","content":"\u003cp>Older adults age 65 and over can now get another COVID vaccine this spring, after the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) formally recommended an extra shot for this age group.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The additional vaccine being offered to this age group is another dose of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11960630/free-new-covid-vaccine-near-me-2023\">the same updated COVID vaccine that became widely available last fall for everyone age 6 months and older.\u003c/a> All people in this 65+ age group are now eligible to receive this extra vaccine, as long as it’s been at least four months since their last COVID vaccine. These new shots are now rolling out through health care providers and county public health departments, as well as at health centers and pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and Safeway.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what you need to know about the new booster shots for people age 65 and older, and how to find a free COVID vaccine near you for yourself or a loved one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#where\">Where can I find a new COVID vaccine near me for people age 65 and older?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#doihavetopayfornewcovidvaccine\">Why was I asked to pay for my new extra COVID shot if I’m age 65 or older?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#kaisernewcovidvaccine\">Why can’t I get a new COVID vaccine at a pharmacy if I have Kaiser health insurance?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Why should older adults age 65 and over get another dose of the COVID vaccine this spring?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The CDC’s recommendation, made on Feb. 28, acknowledges what the agency calls “the increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19 in older adults.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s-0228-covid.html\">“Most COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations last year were among people 65 years and older,”\u003c/a> said CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen in a statement announcing the approval of extra vaccines for this age group. “An additional vaccine dose can provide added protection that may have decreased over time for those at highest risk,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_11954507 hero='https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66630_GettyImages-1369841386-qut-1020x680.jpg']There’s also a practical element to the CDC’s decision to recommend an extra vaccine dose for this age group — because their recommendation means that \u003ca href=\"https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/cdc-faces-dilemma-over-recommending-new-covid-booster-for-all/amp/\">now health insurers \u003cem>have\u003c/em> \u003cem>to\u003c/em> cover your extra 2024 COVID vaccine\u003c/a>. This update means that \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html\">older adults now join immunocompromised people in being eligible\u003c/a> for an additional vaccine dose due to their higher risk levels.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Unlike previous rounds of the vaccine, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CDC aren’t calling the latest COVID vaccine a “booster” — so you probably won’t see that language online around appointments. Instead, they’re referring to it as a “new” or “updated” COVID vaccine for 2023–2024 that’s been updated to better target a more recent strain of the coronavirus than previous vaccines: This time, the omicron variant known as XBB.1.5.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#where\">Where can I find the new COVID vaccine near me?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#shouldigetnewcovidvaccine\">If I don’t have major health risks, should I still get the new COVID vaccine now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#howsoonaftercovidgetvaccine\">I’ve had COVID recently. Can I still get the new COVID vaccine?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"doihavetopayfornewcovidvaccine\">\u003c/a>Why have these latest COVID vaccine rollouts seemed so different this time? Do I have to pay for it now?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re wondering why the new COVID vaccine took a while to become widely available back in the fall, or why \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/covid-vaccine-price-18375815.php\">you heard reports of some people with Medicare being charged over $150 to receive the new vaccine at a pharmacy back then\u003c/a>, it’s because of one major change that started in 2023: The federal government has stopped footing the bill for COVID vaccines.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/09/fact-sheet-end-of-the-covid-19-public-health-emergency.html\">The shots have now transitioned into the traditional health care market\u003c/a>. So for most people with health insurance, their insurer will now cover the cost of getting the new COVID vaccine direct, much like your plan might cover your flu shot — and this is why many county public health officials urge people to first seek out the new vaccine via their health care provider. (It’s also why those county-run vaccination sites that were so common at the height of the pandemic now no longer exist on the same scale, and will primarily be targeted toward folks without insurance.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/bridge/index.html\">And if you’re one of those people who don’t have insurance, the White House will still cover the costs of your COVID vaccines\u003c/a> through a federal program until December 2024. But this means you may now have a narrower choice of places to get it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bottom line is that your updated vaccine should still be free, the way COVID vaccines have been throughout the pandemic. But if you have health insurance, it’s still important to be extra sure you’re asking for your COVID shot somewhere that accepts that insurance — especially if you’re going to a pharmacy. In other words, you now have to think about all the potential costs and insurance wrangling that you \u003cem>didn’t\u003c/em> have to consider for several years when it came to your COVID care.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"kaisernewcovidvaccine\">\u003c/a>Why can’t I get my new COVID vaccine at a pharmacy if I have Kaiser?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Another reason you might potentially be charged for your new COVID vaccine, or denied the shot if you refuse to pay out of pocket: if you get your health care through a health system like Kaiser Permanente.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Usually, if you have health insurance, you should be able to give your insurer’s details at a pharmacy vaccination appointment to have the cost of your shot billed to them. Health systems like Kaiser are the exception to this, and so you almost certainly won’t be able to get your new COVID vaccine at a pharmacy like CVS or Walgreens, the way you can’t get your flu shot covered by Kaiser at a pharmacy either.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead, Kaiser Permanente has recommended members receive their updated COVID vaccinations at a Kaiser, where the cost of the new COVID vaccines will be covered “according to the coverage of routine vaccinations provided by members’ plan benefits when administered at a Kaiser Permanente facility,” a spokeperson told KQED in 2023. This has also meant that those who have health insurance through Kaiser have faced a slightly longer wait for their new COVID vaccine than folks with other types of insurance, unless you’re prepared to pay large costs up-front. \u003ca href=\"https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine\">CVS, for example, charges $190.99 for the new COVID vaccine\u003c/a> “if CVS is not in network with your insurance plan.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A Kaiser spokesperson told KQED on Feb. 29 that “we are updating our processes and systems to reflect the new CDC recommendation” for people age 65 and older, and that Kaiser expects to begin administering this extra dose “in most areas we serve in California by March 8, and possibly earlier in some locations.” \u003ca href=\"https://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/covid-19-vaccine-locations/\">Find a Kaiser location near you currently offering the new COVID vaccine.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Is the Novavax COVID vaccine available as well as Moderna and Pfizer’s new vaccines?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes: After \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/09/12/1199003441/cdc-advisers-back-broad-rollout-out-of-new-covid-boosters\">a period of FDA review\u003c/a>, the\u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-updated-novavax-covid-19-vaccine-formulated-better-protect-against-currently\"> Novavax COVID vaccine was authorized in 2023\u003c/a> for people age 12 and older who have not already been vaccinated with the new Moderna or Pfizer COVID vaccine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Unlike Pfizer and Moderna’s new COVID shots, the Novavax vaccine is a non-mRNA, protein-based vaccine. One reason some people choose the Novavax vaccine is based on aftereffects from getting the shot — as \u003cem>Science\u003c/em> has reported,\u003ca href=\"https://www.science.org/content/article/should-you-pick-novavax-s-covid-19-shot-over-mrna-options\"> Novavax “appeared less likely than mRNA shots to cause side effects like headache and fatigue”\u003c/a> in clinical trials.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What else do you need information about right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>What’s the cost of the vaccine, whether I have insurance or not?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>This is the first time during the COVID pandemic that the federal government \u003cem>isn’t\u003c/em> footing the bill for these vaccines. Now that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11948759/how-to-access-covid-care-in-california-as-u-s-public-health-emergency-ends\">the White House’s public health emergency for COVID has ended\u003c/a>, these COVID vaccines are no longer purchased or distributed by the federal government. Now, \u003ca href=\"https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/09/fact-sheet-end-of-the-covid-19-public-health-emergency.html\">COVID shots have transitioned to the traditional health care market\u003c/a> and will be increasingly considered the way that other preventative vaccines, like flu shots, are.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For most people with health insurance, their insurer will cover the cost of getting the new COVID vaccine, including Medicare.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11961117\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11961117 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/013_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A nurse gives a little boy a shot while his mother gives him encouragement.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/013_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/013_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/013_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/013_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/013_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">COVID shots have transitioned to the traditional health care market and will be increasingly considered the way that other preventative vaccines, like flu shots, are. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/bridge/index.html\">But if you \u003cem>don’t\u003c/em> have insurance, the White House will still cover your COVID vaccines\u003c/a> through \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/bridge/index.html\">a federal program called the Bridge Access Program\u003c/a>, which lasts through December 2024. This means you’ll now have a narrower choice of places to get your COVID vaccine because you’ll have to make sure the vaccination location you’ve chosen participates in the Bridge Access Program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CDC says people without insurance will be able to \u003ca href=\"https://www.vaccines.gov/\">visit the federal government’s vaccines.gov site\u003c/a> to find a location where they can get the new COVID vaccine for free. When searching for a vaccination location near you using this site, be sure to check the box marked “Participating in Bridge Access Program.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"howsoonaftercovidgetvaccine\">\u003c/a>I’m 65 or older and I had COVID recently. Do I have to wait before getting my extra COVID vaccine?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes, the CDC advises that you “\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/downloads/COVID-19-immunization-schedule-ages-6months-older.pdf\">may consider delaying vaccination by 3 months from symptom onset.”(PDF)\u003c/a> And if your case was asymptomatic, use the date of your positive test instead of the onset of your symptoms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This means, that if you had a COVID infection \u003cem>after\u003c/em> early December 2024, you may wish to delay getting your new COVID vaccine until you hit your three-month mark. But as with all matters relating to your health, it’s best to speak directly to your health care provider about the best option for you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11890214\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2560px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11890214\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768670-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"A man sitting on a large porch lifts up his sleeve as he awaits his vaccine, beside a woman in an orange safety vest preparing the vaccine.\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1703\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768670-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768670-800x532.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768670-1020x679.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768670-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768670-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768670-2048x1362.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768670-1920x1277.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A nurse prepares a first dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for Jose Luis Sánchez at a clinic in Pasadena, on Aug. 19, 2021. The clinic was one of the first in the city to offer ‘supplemental’ third coronavirus shots to people with immunological conditions, according to organizers. \u003ccite>(Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"where\">\u003c/a>Where can I find an extra COVID vaccine this spring if I’m age 65 or older?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Don’t assume you’ll be proactively contacted about getting an extra dose of the updated COVID vaccine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember that a certain location may only be offering a certain brand of the new vaccine, whether that’s Moderna, Pfizer or Novavax. So be sure that the location you’re walking into or making an appointment for offers the type of updated vaccine you need or want. \u003ca href=\"#mix\">Read more about “mixing and matching” COVID vaccines.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also make sure the appointment you schedule for your new additional vaccine is at least four months after your last COVID vaccine shot, or three months after your last COVID infection. (When you’re making an appointment for a new vaccine, you’ll likely be asked for the date of your last COVID vaccine dose or booster dose for this reason, to ensure you’re not getting your shot too soon.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11890217\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2560px\">\u003ca href=\"#mix\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11890217 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768450-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up of a hand gripping a vaccination card and writing on it with a pen.\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1704\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768450-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768450-800x532.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768450-1020x679.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768450-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768450-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768450-2048x1363.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768450-1920x1278.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A nurse marks a coronavirus vaccination card with a third booster dose of Pfizer at a vaccine clinic in Pasadena on Aug. 19, 2021. \u003ccite>(Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images))\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>1. Find an extra COVID vaccine dose through a local pharmacy \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For future reference, pharmacies are usually the first place new vaccine shots become available when announced because pharmacies take their cue from the federal government, not the state. Several pharmacy chains, including CVS and Walgreens, are now offering online appointments for the new additional COVID vaccine dose for people age 65 and older, and some may also accept walk-in appointments with no prescheduling required.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance like Medicare, you should be able to give your insurer’s details at a pharmacy vaccination appointment to have the cost of your shot billed to them. One big exception to this: If you get your health care through a health system like Kaiser Permanente, you almost certainly \u003cem>won’t\u003c/em> be able to get your new COVID vaccine for free (i.e., covered by your insurance) at a pharmacy like CVS or Walgreens, the way you can’t get your flu shot covered by Kaiser at a pharmacy either.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ultimately, \u003ca href=\"#kaisernewcovidvaccine\">if you are a member of a health system like Kaiser \u003c/a>and are unsure about what your health insurance covers, reach out to your provider to check if you will need to obtain your new COVID vaccine through them, in order to have it covered. \u003ca href=\"#kaisernewcovidvaccine\">Read more about why you’ll need to get your new COVID vaccine at a Kaiser facility if you get your health care through Kaiser.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you don’t have health insurance, some pharmacies will be offering appointments that don’t require health insurance. Visit the federal government’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.vaccines.gov/\">vaccines.gov\u003c/a> website to search for a location near you, and be sure to check the box marked “Participating in Bridge Access Program,” (the name of the federal program that’s funding new COVID vaccines for uninsured people). For example, a CVS spokesperson confirmed to KQED that the pharmacy chain is participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine?icid=cvs-home-hero1-banner-1-link2-coronavirus-vaccine\">CVS COVID vaccine appointments. \u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19?ban=covid_vaccine_landing_schedule\">Walgreens COVID vaccine appointments\u003c/a>, or call (800) WALGREENS/(800) 925-4733.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/covid-qualifier?utm_source=state&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=Covid19&utm_content=Covid19scheduler_CA_2_12_21\">Rite Aid COVID vaccine appointments.\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mhealthappointments.com/covidappt\">Safeway (Albertsons) COVID vaccine appointments.\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>2. Find an extra COVID vaccine dose through your health care provider, when available\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, check with your health care provider to see whether they can offer you an updated COVID vaccine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you don’t have health insurance but get medical care through a city- or county-run provider, you should check with that location to see whether they can offer you the new COVID vaccine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to trying to talk with your health care provider directly, check the website of your provider to see whether it’s offering the ability to make appointments, and sign up for their vaccine notifications if that’s an option.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>3. Find an extra COVID vaccine dose through vaccines.gov \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Visit the federal government’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.vaccines.gov/\">vaccines.gov\u003c/a> website to see when appointments for the new updated COVID vaccine in or near your zip code become available. Right now, the majority of Bay Area appointments visible on vaccines.gov appear to be at pharmacies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Using \u003ca href=\"https://www.vaccines.gov/\">vaccines.gov \u003c/a>is also the CDC’s recommendation for finding a vaccination site if you’re uninsured. When searching for a vaccination location near you using this site, be sure to check the box marked “Participating in Bridge Access Program,” because that’s the name of the federal program that’ll be funding new COVID vaccines for uninsured people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>4. Find an extra COVID vaccine dose through My Turn\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Throughout the pandemic, \u003ca href=\"https://myturn.ca.gov/\">My Turn has been the state’s site\u003c/a> for all Californians to schedule vaccination appointments or find walk-in locations, regardless of health insurance status.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because the new COVID vaccines are now being distributed through the traditional health care market, My Turn’s services are now geared primarily toward uninsured people. The site’s homepage says that “if you don’t have insurance or your plan doesn’t cover routine vaccinations, My Turn will provide a list of locations that offer vaccines at no cost for the uninsured.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://myturn.ca.gov/\">If you visit the My Turn page\u003c/a>, select “Make an Appointment.” My Turn will ask for your information, and the ZIP code or location you’d like to use to search for vaccine appointments. You can give your home location, or input other locations to see which sites might be available farther away.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you can’t travel to a clinic for your new COVID vaccine because of health or transportation issues, you can note this when registering on My Turn, and a representative from the CDPH is supposed to call you to arrange an in-home visit or transportation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>My Turn will ask you to provide a cellphone number and an email address. The state says this is so you can use two-factor authentication to confirm your identity and make your appointment, and to prevent bots from automatically scooping up available appointments online.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you don’t have an email address or a cellphone number, or you have questions, you can call the California COVID-19 hotline at (833) 422-4255 (Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. PT) and sign up over the phone. Both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking operators are available. Callers needing information in other languages will be connected to a translation service that offers assistance in over 250 languages.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11889661\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11889661\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/michigan_shot_gettyimages-1234850852-8f2a1402d5a0ab808313f55bdac52f950c8ad974-scaled-e1632414475184.jpg\" alt=\"Blue-gloved hands administer a vaccine into a shoulder.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1440\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rufus Peoples receives his booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine during an Oakland County Health Department vaccination clinic at the Southfield Pavilion on Aug. 24, 2021, in Southfield, Michigan. \u003ccite>(Emily Elconin/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>5. Find an extra COVID vaccine dose through your county (if available)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11855623/where-can-i-get-a-covid-19-vaccine-in-the-bay-area-your-questions-answered#county\">Visit your county’s public health website \u003c/a>to learn if your county will soon be offering the new updated COVID vaccine to its residents, particularly those who are uninsured or under-insured.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11855623/where-can-i-get-a-covid-19-vaccine-in-the-bay-area-your-questions-answered#county\">Find your Bay Area county in our list.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2024. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? What questions didn’t you have answered in this guide? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger, and help us decide what to cover here on our site, and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[hearken id=\"10483\" src=\"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js\"]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n","stats":{"hasVideo":false,"hasChartOrMap":false,"hasAudio":false,"hasPolis":false,"wordCount":3130,"hasGoogleForm":false,"hasGallery":false,"hasHearkenModule":true,"iframeSrcs":[],"paragraphCount":55},"modified":1709391808,"excerpt":"The new COVID vaccine was authorized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tuesday, and is now rolling out across the US. Here's how to find a free COVID vaccine near you.","headData":{"twImgId":"","twTitle":"","ogTitle":"","ogImgId":"","twDescription":"","description":"The new COVID vaccine was authorized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tuesday, and is now rolling out across the US. Here's how to find a free COVID vaccine near you.","title":"A New COVID Vaccine Dose Is Now Available for People Age 65 and Older. Where Can You Find a Shot Near You? | KQED","ogDescription":"","schema":{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"A New COVID Vaccine Dose Is Now Available for People Age 65 and Older. Where Can You Find a Shot Near You?","datePublished":"2024-03-02T04:00:26-08:00","dateModified":"2024-03-02T07:03:28-08:00","image":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png","isAccessibleForFree":"True","publisher":{"@type":"NewsMediaOrganization","@id":"https://www.kqed.org/#organization","name":"KQED","url":"https://www.kqed.org","logo":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"}}},"guestAuthors":[],"slug":"a-new-covid-vaccine-dose-is-now-available-for-people-age-65-and-older-where-can-you-find-a-shot-near-you","status":"publish","excludeFromSiteSearch":"Include","sticky":false,"articleAge":"0","path":"/news/11977786/a-new-covid-vaccine-dose-is-now-available-for-people-age-65-and-older-where-can-you-find-a-shot-near-you","audioTrackLength":null,"parsedContent":[{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Older adults age 65 and over can now get another COVID vaccine this spring, after the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) formally recommended an extra shot for this age group.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The additional vaccine being offered to this age group is another dose of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11960630/free-new-covid-vaccine-near-me-2023\">the same updated COVID vaccine that became widely available last fall for everyone age 6 months and older.\u003c/a> All people in this 65+ age group are now eligible to receive this extra vaccine, as long as it’s been at least four months since their last COVID vaccine. These new shots are now rolling out through health care providers and county public health departments, as well as at health centers and pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and Safeway.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what you need to know about the new booster shots for people age 65 and older, and how to find a free COVID vaccine near you for yourself or a loved one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#where\">Where can I find a new COVID vaccine near me for people age 65 and older?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#doihavetopayfornewcovidvaccine\">Why was I asked to pay for my new extra COVID shot if I’m age 65 or older?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#kaisernewcovidvaccine\">Why can’t I get a new COVID vaccine at a pharmacy if I have Kaiser health insurance?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Why should older adults age 65 and over get another dose of the COVID vaccine this spring?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The CDC’s recommendation, made on Feb. 28, acknowledges what the agency calls “the increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19 in older adults.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s-0228-covid.html\">“Most COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations last year were among people 65 years and older,”\u003c/a> said CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen in a statement announcing the approval of extra vaccines for this age group. “An additional vaccine dose can provide added protection that may have decreased over time for those at highest risk,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"aside","attributes":{"named":{"postid":"news_11954507","hero":"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66630_GettyImages-1369841386-qut-1020x680.jpg","label":""},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>There’s also a practical element to the CDC’s decision to recommend an extra vaccine dose for this age group — because their recommendation means that \u003ca href=\"https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/cdc-faces-dilemma-over-recommending-new-covid-booster-for-all/amp/\">now health insurers \u003cem>have\u003c/em> \u003cem>to\u003c/em> cover your extra 2024 COVID vaccine\u003c/a>. This update means that \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html\">older adults now join immunocompromised people in being eligible\u003c/a> for an additional vaccine dose due to their higher risk levels.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Unlike previous rounds of the vaccine, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CDC aren’t calling the latest COVID vaccine a “booster” — so you probably won’t see that language online around appointments. Instead, they’re referring to it as a “new” or “updated” COVID vaccine for 2023–2024 that’s been updated to better target a more recent strain of the coronavirus than previous vaccines: This time, the omicron variant known as XBB.1.5.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#where\">Where can I find the new COVID vaccine near me?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#shouldigetnewcovidvaccine\">If I don’t have major health risks, should I still get the new COVID vaccine now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#howsoonaftercovidgetvaccine\">I’ve had COVID recently. Can I still get the new COVID vaccine?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"doihavetopayfornewcovidvaccine\">\u003c/a>Why have these latest COVID vaccine rollouts seemed so different this time? Do I have to pay for it now?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re wondering why the new COVID vaccine took a while to become widely available back in the fall, or why \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/covid-vaccine-price-18375815.php\">you heard reports of some people with Medicare being charged over $150 to receive the new vaccine at a pharmacy back then\u003c/a>, it’s because of one major change that started in 2023: The federal government has stopped footing the bill for COVID vaccines.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/09/fact-sheet-end-of-the-covid-19-public-health-emergency.html\">The shots have now transitioned into the traditional health care market\u003c/a>. So for most people with health insurance, their insurer will now cover the cost of getting the new COVID vaccine direct, much like your plan might cover your flu shot — and this is why many county public health officials urge people to first seek out the new vaccine via their health care provider. (It’s also why those county-run vaccination sites that were so common at the height of the pandemic now no longer exist on the same scale, and will primarily be targeted toward folks without insurance.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/bridge/index.html\">And if you’re one of those people who don’t have insurance, the White House will still cover the costs of your COVID vaccines\u003c/a> through a federal program until December 2024. But this means you may now have a narrower choice of places to get it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bottom line is that your updated vaccine should still be free, the way COVID vaccines have been throughout the pandemic. But if you have health insurance, it’s still important to be extra sure you’re asking for your COVID shot somewhere that accepts that insurance — especially if you’re going to a pharmacy. In other words, you now have to think about all the potential costs and insurance wrangling that you \u003cem>didn’t\u003c/em> have to consider for several years when it came to your COVID care.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"kaisernewcovidvaccine\">\u003c/a>Why can’t I get my new COVID vaccine at a pharmacy if I have Kaiser?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Another reason you might potentially be charged for your new COVID vaccine, or denied the shot if you refuse to pay out of pocket: if you get your health care through a health system like Kaiser Permanente.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Usually, if you have health insurance, you should be able to give your insurer’s details at a pharmacy vaccination appointment to have the cost of your shot billed to them. Health systems like Kaiser are the exception to this, and so you almost certainly won’t be able to get your new COVID vaccine at a pharmacy like CVS or Walgreens, the way you can’t get your flu shot covered by Kaiser at a pharmacy either.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead, Kaiser Permanente has recommended members receive their updated COVID vaccinations at a Kaiser, where the cost of the new COVID vaccines will be covered “according to the coverage of routine vaccinations provided by members’ plan benefits when administered at a Kaiser Permanente facility,” a spokeperson told KQED in 2023. This has also meant that those who have health insurance through Kaiser have faced a slightly longer wait for their new COVID vaccine than folks with other types of insurance, unless you’re prepared to pay large costs up-front. \u003ca href=\"https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine\">CVS, for example, charges $190.99 for the new COVID vaccine\u003c/a> “if CVS is not in network with your insurance plan.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A Kaiser spokesperson told KQED on Feb. 29 that “we are updating our processes and systems to reflect the new CDC recommendation” for people age 65 and older, and that Kaiser expects to begin administering this extra dose “in most areas we serve in California by March 8, and possibly earlier in some locations.” \u003ca href=\"https://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/covid-19-vaccine-locations/\">Find a Kaiser location near you currently offering the new COVID vaccine.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Is the Novavax COVID vaccine available as well as Moderna and Pfizer’s new vaccines?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes: After \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/09/12/1199003441/cdc-advisers-back-broad-rollout-out-of-new-covid-boosters\">a period of FDA review\u003c/a>, the\u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-updated-novavax-covid-19-vaccine-formulated-better-protect-against-currently\"> Novavax COVID vaccine was authorized in 2023\u003c/a> for people age 12 and older who have not already been vaccinated with the new Moderna or Pfizer COVID vaccine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Unlike Pfizer and Moderna’s new COVID shots, the Novavax vaccine is a non-mRNA, protein-based vaccine. One reason some people choose the Novavax vaccine is based on aftereffects from getting the shot — as \u003cem>Science\u003c/em> has reported,\u003ca href=\"https://www.science.org/content/article/should-you-pick-novavax-s-covid-19-shot-over-mrna-options\"> Novavax “appeared less likely than mRNA shots to cause side effects like headache and fatigue”\u003c/a> in clinical trials.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What else do you need information about right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>What’s the cost of the vaccine, whether I have insurance or not?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>This is the first time during the COVID pandemic that the federal government \u003cem>isn’t\u003c/em> footing the bill for these vaccines. Now that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11948759/how-to-access-covid-care-in-california-as-u-s-public-health-emergency-ends\">the White House’s public health emergency for COVID has ended\u003c/a>, these COVID vaccines are no longer purchased or distributed by the federal government. Now, \u003ca href=\"https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/09/fact-sheet-end-of-the-covid-19-public-health-emergency.html\">COVID shots have transitioned to the traditional health care market\u003c/a> and will be increasingly considered the way that other preventative vaccines, like flu shots, are.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For most people with health insurance, their insurer will cover the cost of getting the new COVID vaccine, including Medicare.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11961117\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11961117 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/013_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A nurse gives a little boy a shot while his mother gives him encouragement.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/013_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/013_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/013_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/013_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/013_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">COVID shots have transitioned to the traditional health care market and will be increasingly considered the way that other preventative vaccines, like flu shots, are. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/bridge/index.html\">But if you \u003cem>don’t\u003c/em> have insurance, the White House will still cover your COVID vaccines\u003c/a> through \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/bridge/index.html\">a federal program called the Bridge Access Program\u003c/a>, which lasts through December 2024. This means you’ll now have a narrower choice of places to get your COVID vaccine because you’ll have to make sure the vaccination location you’ve chosen participates in the Bridge Access Program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CDC says people without insurance will be able to \u003ca href=\"https://www.vaccines.gov/\">visit the federal government’s vaccines.gov site\u003c/a> to find a location where they can get the new COVID vaccine for free. When searching for a vaccination location near you using this site, be sure to check the box marked “Participating in Bridge Access Program.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"howsoonaftercovidgetvaccine\">\u003c/a>I’m 65 or older and I had COVID recently. Do I have to wait before getting my extra COVID vaccine?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes, the CDC advises that you “\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/downloads/COVID-19-immunization-schedule-ages-6months-older.pdf\">may consider delaying vaccination by 3 months from symptom onset.”(PDF)\u003c/a> And if your case was asymptomatic, use the date of your positive test instead of the onset of your symptoms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This means, that if you had a COVID infection \u003cem>after\u003c/em> early December 2024, you may wish to delay getting your new COVID vaccine until you hit your three-month mark. But as with all matters relating to your health, it’s best to speak directly to your health care provider about the best option for you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11890214\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2560px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11890214\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768670-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"A man sitting on a large porch lifts up his sleeve as he awaits his vaccine, beside a woman in an orange safety vest preparing the vaccine.\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1703\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768670-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768670-800x532.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768670-1020x679.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768670-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768670-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768670-2048x1362.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768670-1920x1277.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A nurse prepares a first dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for Jose Luis Sánchez at a clinic in Pasadena, on Aug. 19, 2021. The clinic was one of the first in the city to offer ‘supplemental’ third coronavirus shots to people with immunological conditions, according to organizers. \u003ccite>(Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"where\">\u003c/a>Where can I find an extra COVID vaccine this spring if I’m age 65 or older?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Don’t assume you’ll be proactively contacted about getting an extra dose of the updated COVID vaccine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember that a certain location may only be offering a certain brand of the new vaccine, whether that’s Moderna, Pfizer or Novavax. So be sure that the location you’re walking into or making an appointment for offers the type of updated vaccine you need or want. \u003ca href=\"#mix\">Read more about “mixing and matching” COVID vaccines.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also make sure the appointment you schedule for your new additional vaccine is at least four months after your last COVID vaccine shot, or three months after your last COVID infection. (When you’re making an appointment for a new vaccine, you’ll likely be asked for the date of your last COVID vaccine dose or booster dose for this reason, to ensure you’re not getting your shot too soon.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11890217\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2560px\">\u003ca href=\"#mix\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11890217 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768450-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up of a hand gripping a vaccination card and writing on it with a pen.\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1704\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768450-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768450-800x532.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768450-1020x679.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768450-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768450-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768450-2048x1363.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/GettyImages-1234768450-1920x1278.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A nurse marks a coronavirus vaccination card with a third booster dose of Pfizer at a vaccine clinic in Pasadena on Aug. 19, 2021. \u003ccite>(Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images))\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>1. Find an extra COVID vaccine dose through a local pharmacy \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For future reference, pharmacies are usually the first place new vaccine shots become available when announced because pharmacies take their cue from the federal government, not the state. Several pharmacy chains, including CVS and Walgreens, are now offering online appointments for the new additional COVID vaccine dose for people age 65 and older, and some may also accept walk-in appointments with no prescheduling required.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance like Medicare, you should be able to give your insurer’s details at a pharmacy vaccination appointment to have the cost of your shot billed to them. One big exception to this: If you get your health care through a health system like Kaiser Permanente, you almost certainly \u003cem>won’t\u003c/em> be able to get your new COVID vaccine for free (i.e., covered by your insurance) at a pharmacy like CVS or Walgreens, the way you can’t get your flu shot covered by Kaiser at a pharmacy either.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ultimately, \u003ca href=\"#kaisernewcovidvaccine\">if you are a member of a health system like Kaiser \u003c/a>and are unsure about what your health insurance covers, reach out to your provider to check if you will need to obtain your new COVID vaccine through them, in order to have it covered. \u003ca href=\"#kaisernewcovidvaccine\">Read more about why you’ll need to get your new COVID vaccine at a Kaiser facility if you get your health care through Kaiser.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you don’t have health insurance, some pharmacies will be offering appointments that don’t require health insurance. Visit the federal government’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.vaccines.gov/\">vaccines.gov\u003c/a> website to search for a location near you, and be sure to check the box marked “Participating in Bridge Access Program,” (the name of the federal program that’s funding new COVID vaccines for uninsured people). For example, a CVS spokesperson confirmed to KQED that the pharmacy chain is participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine?icid=cvs-home-hero1-banner-1-link2-coronavirus-vaccine\">CVS COVID vaccine appointments. \u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19?ban=covid_vaccine_landing_schedule\">Walgreens COVID vaccine appointments\u003c/a>, or call (800) WALGREENS/(800) 925-4733.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/covid-qualifier?utm_source=state&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=Covid19&utm_content=Covid19scheduler_CA_2_12_21\">Rite Aid COVID vaccine appointments.\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mhealthappointments.com/covidappt\">Safeway (Albertsons) COVID vaccine appointments.\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>2. Find an extra COVID vaccine dose through your health care provider, when available\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, check with your health care provider to see whether they can offer you an updated COVID vaccine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you don’t have health insurance but get medical care through a city- or county-run provider, you should check with that location to see whether they can offer you the new COVID vaccine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to trying to talk with your health care provider directly, check the website of your provider to see whether it’s offering the ability to make appointments, and sign up for their vaccine notifications if that’s an option.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>3. Find an extra COVID vaccine dose through vaccines.gov \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Visit the federal government’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.vaccines.gov/\">vaccines.gov\u003c/a> website to see when appointments for the new updated COVID vaccine in or near your zip code become available. Right now, the majority of Bay Area appointments visible on vaccines.gov appear to be at pharmacies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Using \u003ca href=\"https://www.vaccines.gov/\">vaccines.gov \u003c/a>is also the CDC’s recommendation for finding a vaccination site if you’re uninsured. When searching for a vaccination location near you using this site, be sure to check the box marked “Participating in Bridge Access Program,” because that’s the name of the federal program that’ll be funding new COVID vaccines for uninsured people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>4. Find an extra COVID vaccine dose through My Turn\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Throughout the pandemic, \u003ca href=\"https://myturn.ca.gov/\">My Turn has been the state’s site\u003c/a> for all Californians to schedule vaccination appointments or find walk-in locations, regardless of health insurance status.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because the new COVID vaccines are now being distributed through the traditional health care market, My Turn’s services are now geared primarily toward uninsured people. The site’s homepage says that “if you don’t have insurance or your plan doesn’t cover routine vaccinations, My Turn will provide a list of locations that offer vaccines at no cost for the uninsured.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://myturn.ca.gov/\">If you visit the My Turn page\u003c/a>, select “Make an Appointment.” My Turn will ask for your information, and the ZIP code or location you’d like to use to search for vaccine appointments. You can give your home location, or input other locations to see which sites might be available farther away.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"fullwidth"},"numeric":["fullwidth"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you can’t travel to a clinic for your new COVID vaccine because of health or transportation issues, you can note this when registering on My Turn, and a representative from the CDPH is supposed to call you to arrange an in-home visit or transportation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>My Turn will ask you to provide a cellphone number and an email address. The state says this is so you can use two-factor authentication to confirm your identity and make your appointment, and to prevent bots from automatically scooping up available appointments online.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you don’t have an email address or a cellphone number, or you have questions, you can call the California COVID-19 hotline at (833) 422-4255 (Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. PT) and sign up over the phone. Both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking operators are available. Callers needing information in other languages will be connected to a translation service that offers assistance in over 250 languages.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11889661\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11889661\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2021/09/michigan_shot_gettyimages-1234850852-8f2a1402d5a0ab808313f55bdac52f950c8ad974-scaled-e1632414475184.jpg\" alt=\"Blue-gloved hands administer a vaccine into a shoulder.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1440\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rufus Peoples receives his booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine during an Oakland County Health Department vaccination clinic at the Southfield Pavilion on Aug. 24, 2021, in Southfield, Michigan. \u003ccite>(Emily Elconin/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>5. Find an extra COVID vaccine dose through your county (if available)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11855623/where-can-i-get-a-covid-19-vaccine-in-the-bay-area-your-questions-answered#county\">Visit your county’s public health website \u003c/a>to learn if your county will soon be offering the new updated COVID vaccine to its residents, particularly those who are uninsured or under-insured.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11855623/where-can-i-get-a-covid-19-vaccine-in-the-bay-area-your-questions-answered#county\">Find your Bay Area county in our list.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2024. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? What questions didn’t you have answered in this guide? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger, and help us decide what to cover here on our site, and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"hearken","attributes":{"named":{"id":"10483","src":"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js","label":""},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"floatright"},"numeric":["floatright"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}}],"link":"/news/11977786/a-new-covid-vaccine-dose-is-now-available-for-people-age-65-and-older-where-can-you-find-a-shot-near-you","authors":["3243"],"categories":["news_457","news_8"],"tags":["news_32707","news_29914","news_27350","news_29029","news_27989","news_29076","news_29363","news_27626","news_28861","news_981"],"featImg":"news_11977861","label":"news"},"news_11972313":{"type":"posts","id":"news_11972313","meta":{"index":"posts_1716263798","site":"news","id":"11972313","score":null,"sort":[1705019957000]},"parent":0,"labelTerm":{"site":"news"},"blocks":[],"publishDate":1705019957,"format":"image","title":"Why Your Negative COVID Test Might Be Less Reliable in 2024","headTitle":"Why Your Negative COVID Test Might Be Less Reliable in 2024 | KQED","content":"\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11968709/cold-flu-or-rsv-how-to-tell-which-virus-you-might-have-from-testing-to-symptoms\">A whole host of winter respiratory viruses is circulating\u003c/a> in the first weeks of 2024 — which means you probably know several people who are sick right now. And for a fourth January running, we \u003cem>still\u003c/em> have to worry about COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At this stage in the pandemic, worrying that your sore throat, cough or congestion might, in fact, be COVID-19 is a natural thought, especially as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know\">the Bay Area is experiencing another wave of infections fueled by the new JN.1 strain\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#covidtestincubation\">My first COVID-19 test was negative. What do I do now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>But while testing negative on an at-home antigen test can bring some relief, unfortunately, you may no longer be able to trust that initial result in the way you could earlier in the pandemic.[aside postID=news_11967946,news_11968709,news_11970001,news_11966797 label='COVID Is Still With Us']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what you need to know about COVID-19 incubation periods in 2024, why an early negative test could be a false result, and what to do if you’re caught in a “Wait, so do I have COVID or not?” testing limbo.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>It could take more time to test positive for COVID-19 than in years past\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Some medical experts say they’ve noticed that at this stage of the pandemic, it’s often taking much longer for people to get a positive test result on an at-home COVID-19 antigen test. In other words, they’re observing that people with COVID-19 symptoms are taking an antigen test and getting a negative result — only to get a positive result on a different test several days later.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This means that many people could wrongly assume they don’t have COVID-19 after that first negative test and then inadvertently spread the virus to friends and family.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF, said he and his colleagues are now “seeing people take longer to get a positive test” even though they have COVID-19 symptoms. \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-09/covid-rising-home-test-taking-longer-discover-infections\">Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, told the \u003cem>Los Angeles Times\u003c/em>\u003c/a> that she’s also noticed this delay — and that a patient might not get a positive test result up until the fourth day after the start of their symptoms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But there’s a confusing additional aspect to this too: “Paradoxically,” said Chin-Hong, incubation times for the virus have gotten shorter throughout the pandemic. This means people have tested positive for COVID-19 more quickly than in 2020, when the average incubation period was five days because the incubation period has changed with each new variant. Chin-Hong’s advice in the last year has been that if you’re having COVID-19 symptoms, it now makes sense to take a test as early as two days after exposure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So how do shorter incubation times square with this newly observed delay on positive COVID-19 tests?\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Your COVID-19 symptoms might be starting earlier\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Right now, experts aren’t 100% sure why antigen tests are taking longer to return a positive COVID-19 result. But Chin-Hong said that the hypothesis that makes sense to him is less about the efficacy of the antigen tests themselves and way more about how much quicker someone with COVID-19 might develop symptoms in 2024 than they would have done in 2020.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a reminder, those symptoms are the sign that your body’s immune system is mounting a response to an invading virus — and back at the start of the pandemic, by the time you developed COVID-19 symptoms and took a test it would probably already be positive, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But at this stage of the pandemic, most of us now have “a lot of immune experience” with COVID-19, Chin-Hong said — and the average person’s immune system is increasingly “on guard” and “activated more than in 2020,” he said. So when your body detects a burgeoning coronavirus infection now, “your whole immune system just gets agitated and active, and you begin to get sick sooner, but you actually don’t have as much virus in your blood yet,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dr. Abraar Karan, an infectious disease physician and researcher at Stanford University, also put it this way for NPR: “With our immune systems primed, \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2024/01/07/1222847727/coronavirus-faq-my-partner-roommate-kid-got-covid-and-i-didnt-how-come\">the body’s response [now] comes much more quickly than it would have back in 2020\u003c/a> when SARS-CoV-2 was a novel pathogen.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And because many of us take a COVID-19 test when we \u003cem>start\u003c/em> to feel sick, we might be testing way too early at that time for an at-home antigen kit to successfully detect enough virus inside us. This mismatch between when your symptoms start and when you’ve enough virus present in your body to result in a positive COVID-19 test “was started to be observed in early omicron, but I think it just seems more accentuated now,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, Hudson of Kaiser Permanente Southern California told the \u003cem>L.A. Times\u003c/em> that for her, this delay in positive tests \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-09/covid-rising-home-test-taking-longer-discover-infections\">might be attributable to people’s accumulated immunity from COVID-19\u003c/a> over the years — either from getting infected or getting vaccinated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-09/covid-rising-home-test-taking-longer-discover-infections\">“It’s actually pushing back the time that people’s COVID tests are coming up positive,” Hudson \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-09/covid-rising-home-test-taking-longer-discover-infections\">said\u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-09/covid-rising-home-test-taking-longer-discover-infections\">.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bottom line is: If you’re testing because you’ve started feeling unwell, it’s unwise to assume in 2024 that a negative result automatically means you don’t have COVID-19, because you might just be testing too early.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"covidtestincubation\">\u003c/a>So … what should I do if my first COVID-19 test is negative?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Experiencing the onset of symptoms that feel like COVID-19 is unpleasant and worrying enough. And now, this new possible delay around even knowing if you have COVID-19 adds another element of frustration and uncertainty to what’s already a stressful situation. Even if you’ve been able to\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know#freecovidtests\"> find free COVID-19 tests being given away or by order from the U.S. government via USPS\u003c/a>, one COVID-19 scare in a family can run through that stockpile pretty fast — and the cost of purchasing new COVID-19 antigen kits can really add up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re in the limbo of not knowing whether you actually have COVID-19 yet, here’s what to do:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If your first test is negative for COVID-19, test again later\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have symptoms but have tested negative, don’t assume it means you’re COVID-free. \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html\">The CDC recommends that you take another antigen test 48 hours later\u003c/a> and then test again after another 48 hours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Chin-Hong advises that you can also \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know#freecovidtests\">seek out a PCR test\u003c/a>, which is more sensitive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>While you’re unsure, play it safe \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have symptoms and don’t know why yet for sure, stay home as much as you can. If you truly can’t stay indoors and away from others, wear a well-fitted mask to protect your community and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967946/covid-ventilation-guide-indoors-windows\">try to ensure you’re in well-ventilated spaces.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Be especially careful not to spread any virus around folks who are at higher risk for serious illness or hospitalization from COVID-19, which includes older people, immunocompromised and disabled people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Remember: Just because it’s not COVID-19 doesn’t mean you’re not still sick\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even if you turn out not to have COVID-19 after several days of testing but you’re still experiencing symptoms, you might still be infected with one of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11968709/cold-flu-or-rsv-how-to-tell-which-virus-you-might-have-from-testing-to-symptoms\">the other highly infectious winter respiratory viruses out there like flu, RSV or a bad cold.\u003c/a> And if you’re sick, you could easily infect your friends, family or colleagues with whatever you’re suffering from.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Give yourself permission not to trust a friend’s negative test, too\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What if it’s a friend who’s experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, and they’re insisting that they’re safe to meet with you because “they took a test and it’s negative”?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Knowing what you know — that it can sometimes take folks longer to get a positive COVID-19 test in 2024 — you should feel free to compassionately tell your friend that while you trust \u003cem>them\u003c/em>, you can’t trust an early negative test right now. There’s a good chance that they have no idea that positive tests can be increasingly delayed and will be relieved to know that by staying home, they haven’t accidentally spread an infectious disease to you or other loved ones.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if they disagree and insist they’re still safe to meet up? You should feel free to decline, even if it feels awkward. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know\">Remember, it’s not weird to not want to get COVID-19.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Stock up on free COVID-19 tests …\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Finding a quick, free COVID-19 test — whether an at-home antigen test or a PCR test — has gotten progressively harder at this stage of the pandemic as more sites and services have shuttered. The federal government has, at least, restarted its \u003ca href=\"https://www.covid.gov/tests\">free at-home COVID-test-ordering service\u003c/a> through USPS, meaning you can once again order another four free antigen tests to be delivered to your door for a future time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know#freecovidtests\">Read more about where to find free or low-cost COVID-19 tests this winter.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>… but make sure your COVID-19 tests haven’t expired\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many of the COVID-19 tests being made available right now (\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11970001/free-covid-tests-near-me-public-library\">for example, at your local public library\u003c/a>) may be approaching their expiration date if they haven’t already passed it. And an expired test could give you an unreliable result.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">You can check the FDA’s list of antigen test types \u003c/a>to see \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">whether the box you’re holding has had its shelf life extended\u003c/a> by the manufacturer. The FDA said that if a test’s shelf life has been extended, it’s because the manufacturer has given the agency enough “data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized.” (In other words, it’s still OK to use that test.)\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID-19\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger and help us decide what to cover here on our site and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[hearken id=\"10483\" src=\"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js\"]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n","stats":{"hasVideo":false,"hasChartOrMap":false,"hasAudio":false,"hasPolis":false,"wordCount":1908,"hasGoogleForm":false,"hasGallery":false,"hasHearkenModule":true,"iframeSrcs":[],"paragraphCount":42},"modified":1705023844,"excerpt":"Some experts have noticed that it's taking some people with COVID-19 much longer to get a positive result on an at-home antigen test. So, if you have symptoms but have tested negative, what should you do?","headData":{"twImgId":"","twTitle":"","ogTitle":"","ogImgId":"","twDescription":"","description":"Some experts have noticed that it's taking some people with COVID-19 much longer to get a positive result on an at-home antigen test. So, if you have symptoms but have tested negative, what should you do?","title":"Why Your Negative COVID Test Might Be Less Reliable in 2024 | KQED","ogDescription":"","schema":{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Why Your Negative COVID Test Might Be Less Reliable in 2024","datePublished":"2024-01-11T16:39:17-08:00","dateModified":"2024-01-11T17:44:04-08:00","image":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png","isAccessibleForFree":"True","publisher":{"@type":"NewsMediaOrganization","@id":"https://www.kqed.org/#organization","name":"KQED","url":"https://www.kqed.org","logo":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"}}},"guestAuthors":[],"slug":"negative-covid-test-incubation-period","status":"publish","excludeFromSiteSearch":"Include","sticky":false,"articleAge":"0","path":"/news/11972313/negative-covid-test-incubation-period","audioTrackLength":null,"parsedContent":[{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11968709/cold-flu-or-rsv-how-to-tell-which-virus-you-might-have-from-testing-to-symptoms\">A whole host of winter respiratory viruses is circulating\u003c/a> in the first weeks of 2024 — which means you probably know several people who are sick right now. And for a fourth January running, we \u003cem>still\u003c/em> have to worry about COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At this stage in the pandemic, worrying that your sore throat, cough or congestion might, in fact, be COVID-19 is a natural thought, especially as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know\">the Bay Area is experiencing another wave of infections fueled by the new JN.1 strain\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#covidtestincubation\">My first COVID-19 test was negative. What do I do now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>But while testing negative on an at-home antigen test can bring some relief, unfortunately, you may no longer be able to trust that initial result in the way you could earlier in the pandemic.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"aside","attributes":{"named":{"postid":"news_11967946,news_11968709,news_11970001,news_11966797","label":"COVID Is Still With Us "},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what you need to know about COVID-19 incubation periods in 2024, why an early negative test could be a false result, and what to do if you’re caught in a “Wait, so do I have COVID or not?” testing limbo.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>It could take more time to test positive for COVID-19 than in years past\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Some medical experts say they’ve noticed that at this stage of the pandemic, it’s often taking much longer for people to get a positive test result on an at-home COVID-19 antigen test. In other words, they’re observing that people with COVID-19 symptoms are taking an antigen test and getting a negative result — only to get a positive result on a different test several days later.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This means that many people could wrongly assume they don’t have COVID-19 after that first negative test and then inadvertently spread the virus to friends and family.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF, said he and his colleagues are now “seeing people take longer to get a positive test” even though they have COVID-19 symptoms. \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-09/covid-rising-home-test-taking-longer-discover-infections\">Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, told the \u003cem>Los Angeles Times\u003c/em>\u003c/a> that she’s also noticed this delay — and that a patient might not get a positive test result up until the fourth day after the start of their symptoms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But there’s a confusing additional aspect to this too: “Paradoxically,” said Chin-Hong, incubation times for the virus have gotten shorter throughout the pandemic. This means people have tested positive for COVID-19 more quickly than in 2020, when the average incubation period was five days because the incubation period has changed with each new variant. Chin-Hong’s advice in the last year has been that if you’re having COVID-19 symptoms, it now makes sense to take a test as early as two days after exposure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So how do shorter incubation times square with this newly observed delay on positive COVID-19 tests?\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Your COVID-19 symptoms might be starting earlier\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Right now, experts aren’t 100% sure why antigen tests are taking longer to return a positive COVID-19 result. But Chin-Hong said that the hypothesis that makes sense to him is less about the efficacy of the antigen tests themselves and way more about how much quicker someone with COVID-19 might develop symptoms in 2024 than they would have done in 2020.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a reminder, those symptoms are the sign that your body’s immune system is mounting a response to an invading virus — and back at the start of the pandemic, by the time you developed COVID-19 symptoms and took a test it would probably already be positive, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But at this stage of the pandemic, most of us now have “a lot of immune experience” with COVID-19, Chin-Hong said — and the average person’s immune system is increasingly “on guard” and “activated more than in 2020,” he said. So when your body detects a burgeoning coronavirus infection now, “your whole immune system just gets agitated and active, and you begin to get sick sooner, but you actually don’t have as much virus in your blood yet,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dr. Abraar Karan, an infectious disease physician and researcher at Stanford University, also put it this way for NPR: “With our immune systems primed, \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2024/01/07/1222847727/coronavirus-faq-my-partner-roommate-kid-got-covid-and-i-didnt-how-come\">the body’s response [now] comes much more quickly than it would have back in 2020\u003c/a> when SARS-CoV-2 was a novel pathogen.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And because many of us take a COVID-19 test when we \u003cem>start\u003c/em> to feel sick, we might be testing way too early at that time for an at-home antigen kit to successfully detect enough virus inside us. This mismatch between when your symptoms start and when you’ve enough virus present in your body to result in a positive COVID-19 test “was started to be observed in early omicron, but I think it just seems more accentuated now,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, Hudson of Kaiser Permanente Southern California told the \u003cem>L.A. Times\u003c/em> that for her, this delay in positive tests \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-09/covid-rising-home-test-taking-longer-discover-infections\">might be attributable to people’s accumulated immunity from COVID-19\u003c/a> over the years — either from getting infected or getting vaccinated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-09/covid-rising-home-test-taking-longer-discover-infections\">“It’s actually pushing back the time that people’s COVID tests are coming up positive,” Hudson \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-09/covid-rising-home-test-taking-longer-discover-infections\">said\u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-09/covid-rising-home-test-taking-longer-discover-infections\">.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bottom line is: If you’re testing because you’ve started feeling unwell, it’s unwise to assume in 2024 that a negative result automatically means you don’t have COVID-19, because you might just be testing too early.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"fullwidth"},"numeric":["fullwidth"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"covidtestincubation\">\u003c/a>So … what should I do if my first COVID-19 test is negative?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Experiencing the onset of symptoms that feel like COVID-19 is unpleasant and worrying enough. And now, this new possible delay around even knowing if you have COVID-19 adds another element of frustration and uncertainty to what’s already a stressful situation. Even if you’ve been able to\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know#freecovidtests\"> find free COVID-19 tests being given away or by order from the U.S. government via USPS\u003c/a>, one COVID-19 scare in a family can run through that stockpile pretty fast — and the cost of purchasing new COVID-19 antigen kits can really add up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re in the limbo of not knowing whether you actually have COVID-19 yet, here’s what to do:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If your first test is negative for COVID-19, test again later\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have symptoms but have tested negative, don’t assume it means you’re COVID-free. \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html\">The CDC recommends that you take another antigen test 48 hours later\u003c/a> and then test again after another 48 hours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Chin-Hong advises that you can also \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know#freecovidtests\">seek out a PCR test\u003c/a>, which is more sensitive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>While you’re unsure, play it safe \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have symptoms and don’t know why yet for sure, stay home as much as you can. If you truly can’t stay indoors and away from others, wear a well-fitted mask to protect your community and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967946/covid-ventilation-guide-indoors-windows\">try to ensure you’re in well-ventilated spaces.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Be especially careful not to spread any virus around folks who are at higher risk for serious illness or hospitalization from COVID-19, which includes older people, immunocompromised and disabled people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Remember: Just because it’s not COVID-19 doesn’t mean you’re not still sick\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even if you turn out not to have COVID-19 after several days of testing but you’re still experiencing symptoms, you might still be infected with one of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11968709/cold-flu-or-rsv-how-to-tell-which-virus-you-might-have-from-testing-to-symptoms\">the other highly infectious winter respiratory viruses out there like flu, RSV or a bad cold.\u003c/a> And if you’re sick, you could easily infect your friends, family or colleagues with whatever you’re suffering from.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Give yourself permission not to trust a friend’s negative test, too\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What if it’s a friend who’s experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, and they’re insisting that they’re safe to meet with you because “they took a test and it’s negative”?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Knowing what you know — that it can sometimes take folks longer to get a positive COVID-19 test in 2024 — you should feel free to compassionately tell your friend that while you trust \u003cem>them\u003c/em>, you can’t trust an early negative test right now. There’s a good chance that they have no idea that positive tests can be increasingly delayed and will be relieved to know that by staying home, they haven’t accidentally spread an infectious disease to you or other loved ones.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if they disagree and insist they’re still safe to meet up? You should feel free to decline, even if it feels awkward. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know\">Remember, it’s not weird to not want to get COVID-19.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Stock up on free COVID-19 tests …\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Finding a quick, free COVID-19 test — whether an at-home antigen test or a PCR test — has gotten progressively harder at this stage of the pandemic as more sites and services have shuttered. The federal government has, at least, restarted its \u003ca href=\"https://www.covid.gov/tests\">free at-home COVID-test-ordering service\u003c/a> through USPS, meaning you can once again order another four free antigen tests to be delivered to your door for a future time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know#freecovidtests\">Read more about where to find free or low-cost COVID-19 tests this winter.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>… but make sure your COVID-19 tests haven’t expired\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many of the COVID-19 tests being made available right now (\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11970001/free-covid-tests-near-me-public-library\">for example, at your local public library\u003c/a>) may be approaching their expiration date if they haven’t already passed it. And an expired test could give you an unreliable result.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">You can check the FDA’s list of antigen test types \u003c/a>to see \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">whether the box you’re holding has had its shelf life extended\u003c/a> by the manufacturer. The FDA said that if a test’s shelf life has been extended, it’s because the manufacturer has given the agency enough “data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized.” (In other words, it’s still OK to use that test.)\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID-19\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger and help us decide what to cover here on our site and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"hearken","attributes":{"named":{"id":"10483","src":"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js","label":""},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"floatright"},"numeric":["floatright"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}}],"link":"/news/11972313/negative-covid-test-incubation-period","authors":["3243"],"categories":["news_457","news_8","news_356"],"tags":["news_32707","news_27350","news_29029","news_27989","news_29546","news_27626"],"featImg":"news_11972491","label":"news"},"news_11957790":{"type":"posts","id":"news_11957790","meta":{"index":"posts_1716263798","site":"news","id":"11957790","score":null,"sort":[1704988805000]},"parent":0,"labelTerm":{"site":"news"},"blocks":[],"publishDate":1704988805,"format":"image","title":"The JN.1 COVID Variant: Symptoms, Incubation Period and When to Test","headTitle":"The JN.1 COVID Variant: Symptoms, Incubation Period and When to Test | KQED","content":"\u003cp>If it feels like \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11954507/covid-symptoms-after-pride-how-to-find-test\">many people you know are getting COVID-19 again \u003c/a>… you’re not alone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fueled by a new subvariant called JN.1, COVID-19 rates are way up for the start of 2024, as part of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1985786/bay-area-covid-flu-cases-on-the-rise-but-not-surging-like-last-year\">a sharp rise that began back in November.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So, what do you need to know about the symptoms of JN.1? Is there an updated incubation period to know about for COVID-19 in 2024, and where can you even find a free COVID-19 test now? Keep reading for everything you need to know, or jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#JN1covidsymptoms\">What are the symptoms of JN.1?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#covidincubationperiod\">What’s the incubation time for COVID-19 now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#covidincubationperiod\">I tested negative. Can I trust my antigen kit?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#freecovidtests\">Where can I still find free COVID-19 tests?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>And remember, the new COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer — and most recently Novavax — are available across California. The new shots are free for everyone, with or without health insurance, and are formulated to target strains like these latest subvariants. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11960630/free-new-covid-vaccine-near-me-2023\">Read where to find the new COVID-19 vaccine near you.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What is JN.1, and why is it spreading so much?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Right now, JN.1 is the most prevalent COVID-19 subvariant in the United States, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)\u003ca href=\"https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions\"> estimates currently makes up almost 62% of cases nationwide\u003c/a>. Behind it is the previous top variant, HV.1, which now only makes up 14.8% of cases across the country.[aside postID=news_11967946,news_11968709,news_11970001,news_11966797 label='COVID Is Still With Us']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(If you’re losing track of all these subvariants of the omicron variant by this stage of the pandemic, that’s understandable. To recap: The swell of COVID-19 cases in summer 2023 was fueled by EG.5, unofficially nicknamed “Eris” by some online just as XBB.1.16 before it was nicknamed “Arcturus” — even though \u003ca href=\"https://www.who.int/news/item/16-03-2023-statement-on-the-update-of-who-s-working-definitions-and-tracking-system-for-sars-cov-2-variants-of-concern-and-variants-of-interest\">the World Health Organization has revised its naming conventions\u003c/a> to reserve “Greek labels” only for “variants of concern.” After the summer of EG.5, HV.1 rose to national prominence, followed now by JN.1.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Whereas HV.1 was a part of the XBB sublineage of the omicron variant, \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/SARS-CoV-2-variant-JN.1.html\">JN.1 is closely related to the BA.2.86 strain\u003c/a>, the CDC said in an announcement declaring JN.1 “a variant of interest” back in December. And when you’re dealing with descendants like JN.1 and HV.1 before it, it’s important to remember that each new subvariant is more easily transmitted, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Every time something rises up the charts in the ‘tree of COVID life,’ by essence it had to have a superpower that makes them more powerful than the rest,” Chin-Hong said. “And that superpower is generally transmissibility.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>JN.1’s infectiousness means that the “strategies people could use to escape infection over the summer during our surge are probably not working right now,” Chin-Hong said — added to the fact that winter holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year prompted travel and brought many people together in crowded gatherings. All of this means that “we all get together, we mix risks from all over the country [and] we don’t have much time to recover before being exposed and exposing others,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Aside from its infectiousness, the CDC said in its Dec. 8 briefing that there’s “no evidence that JN.1 presents an increased risk to public health relative to other currently circulating variant,” and “no indication of increased severity from JN.1 at this time.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But, Chin-Hong stressed, JN.1’s increased transmissibility still means that “more people will get infected, which means that our hospitals will be fuller, and that will limit our ability to care for those who have other illnesses.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"JN1covidsymptoms\">\u003c/a>What are the symptoms of JN.1?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Chin-Hong confirms that no surprising wild card symptoms have yet been reported for JN.1, or HV.1 before it — they’re the same COVID-19 symptoms you’re used to hearing about from previous variants. Or at least, that’s how it looks right now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Like the other omicron flavors,” Chin-Hong said, “many [cases] start with a sore throat,” followed by congestion and a dry cough. From there, “the other symptoms — headache, runny nose, muscle aches, diarrhea or upset stomach, fever, loss of smell— may also join in,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The characteristics of the person becoming infected can also shape what symptoms are experienced,” Chin-Hong said, noting that a person age 75 or over or an immunocompromised person who didn’t \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11960630/free-new-covid-vaccine-near-me-2023\">receive the new COVID-19 vaccine\u003c/a> “may experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to the CDC, \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html\">this is the full list of the possible symptoms of COVID-19\u003c/a>:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Fever or chills\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Cough\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Fatigue\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Muscle or body aches\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Headache\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>New loss of taste or smell\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sore throat\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Congestion or runny nose\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Nausea or vomiting\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Diarrhea.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Remember, you might have a combination of these symptoms or just one. They might be mild or feel more severe. But if you’re experiencing any of these, take a COVID-19 test (more on this below).\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"covidcasesbayarea\">\u003c/a>What are the current COVID-19 cases in the Bay Area right now?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“COVID cases” — that is, positive test results — are not tracked in the way they once were. There’s more on that below, but in the absence of up-to-date widespread data on positive COVID-19 test results, watching for the presence of the coronavirus in human sewage has become increasingly important instead for gauging the levels of COVID-19 spread in a particular area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Stanford University’s WastewaterSCAN project monitors the presence of COVID-19 — as well as other viruses — in wastewater across the U.S. (For example, you can \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CiQQACABSABSBjM3NDMwYVoIWEJCX2JrcHR4rAGKAQY3NjI5ZDM%3D&selectedChartId=7629d3\">see the concentration of COVID-19 in wastewater collected from the Oceanside San Francisco watershed\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And when it comes to COVID-19 in Bay Area sewage, after numbers came down after that summer swell, WastewaterSCAN’s Ali Boehm told KQED by email on Jan. 8 that \u003ca href=\"https://wwscan.ghost.io/\">those levels of COVID-19 are unfortunately “high and increasing” right now\u003c/a>. In the chart below, which shows a trend line aggregated from the Bay Area wastewater sites, you can see how the current rise compares to the highest spike visible, which is the initial omicron surge of winter 2021-22.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11972211\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11972211\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/COVID-1-08-wastewater.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1239\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/COVID-1-08-wastewater.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/COVID-1-08-wastewater-800x516.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/COVID-1-08-wastewater-1020x658.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/COVID-1-08-wastewater-160x103.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/COVID-1-08-wastewater-1536x991.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A chart showing COVID-19 levels collected from across Bay Area wastewater sites. \u003ccite>(WastewaterSCAN)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>As for other winter respiratory viruses, levels of RSV in Bay Area wastewater are “still quite high and have not clearly started decreasing,” Boehm said. One bit of good news: Boehm said that local wastewater shows that the flu is “not circulating now like it did at this time last year.” \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11968709/cold-flu-or-rsv-how-to-tell-which-virus-you-might-have-from-testing-to-symptoms\">Read more about the different symptoms of RSV and flu in relation to COVID-19.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Statewide, COVID-19 metrics are also back on the upswing after a lull. \u003ca href=\"https://covid19.ca.gov/state-dashboard/\">The state’s 7-day COVID-19 positivity test rate \u003c/a>tracks the average percentage of people in California each week who get a positive diagnostic test result from a lab after taking a PCR test. The statewide positivity rate reached its highest point for the entire year back on Sept. 2, at 17.4%.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But after falling to a low of 6.1% on Nov. 3, the weekly average positivity rate has climbed again to 12.3% as of the most recently available data, collected on Jan. 1. (It’s worth noting that many people who suspect they have COVID-19 in 2023 test themselves at home with an antigen test kit, not a PCR test — so this tracking from the California Department of Public Health \u003cem>doesn’t\u003c/em> represent the full picture of COVID-19 positivity around the state.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What else would you like to read an explainer on right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>After a lull following the 2023 summer swell, \u003ca href=\"https://covid19.ca.gov/state-dashboard/\">the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19\u003c/a> in California began climbing again in November and peaked on Dec. 22 with a 7-day average of 2,339 people hospitalized statewide. The most recent available data, from Dec. 31, shows a drop to a 7-day average of 1,990 patients.[aside postID=news_11960630 hero='https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-1020x680.jpg']Why don’t we have firmer numbers on how many people are actually testing positive for COVID-19 right now? Earlier in the pandemic, most people were getting diagnostic PCR tests through official sites, which were then tracked through their laboratory processing and had their numbers reported — the way the state’s official test positivity rate is still tracked.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, the arrival of widespread antigen tests has now given more people a way to test themselves for COVID-19 at home without having to find a PCR test (albeit in a manner \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11950386/at-home-covid-tests-are-still-effective-in-2023-and-you-can-still-get-them-for-free\">different from how a PCR test “detects” the virus\u003c/a>). But while public officials have urged at-home testers to report positive results to their local health authority, very few people still do so.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>All of this goes some way to explain why the “true” number of people who currently have COVID-19 in 2023 is a very difficult number to report — and why any official number from PCR testing almost certainly represents a big undercount.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11948962\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11948962\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS62644_GettyImages-1237599780-qut.jpg\" alt=\"In this photo illustration, a COVID-19 self-test package is seen on a dark table.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS62644_GettyImages-1237599780-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS62644_GettyImages-1237599780-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS62644_GettyImages-1237599780-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS62644_GettyImages-1237599780-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS62644_GettyImages-1237599780-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">When COVID-19 cases rise, strongly consider rising up — and testing if you feel symptoms. \u003ccite>(Photo Illustration by Michael Ho Wai Lee/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>Is the new COVID-19 vaccine still effective against JN.1 and HV.1?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes: \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11960630/free-new-covid-vaccine-near-me-2023\">The new COVID-19 vaccine that’s now available across California \u003c/a>is formulated to target the XBB sublineage, from which HV.1 is descended. And that same vaccine is “still effective against JN.1,” too, Chin-Hong said, despite this latest subvariant having more than “30 more mutations than XBB.1.5, which the vaccine is based on.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"covidincubationperiod\">\u003c/a>I think I was exposed, or have symptoms. When should I take a COVID-19 test?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 1: Know about updated incubation times for JN.1\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’ve heard that incubation times for the virus are getting shorter — that is, the amount of time between getting exposed to COVID-19 and testing positive for COVID-19 — it’s true. People are testing positive for COVID-19 more quickly than they were in 2020 when the average incubation period was five days because the incubation period has changed with each new variant, confirms Chin-Hong.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While “we don’t have a ton” of up-to-date information on incubation times at this stage of the pandemic, notes Chin-Hong, given this general trend, it makes sense to take a COVID-19 test as early as two days after exposure if you’re already having symptoms. But there’s a crucial update for 2024…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 2: Don’t trust a negative early COVID-19 test\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your first test is negative, you should absolutely test again the next day if symptoms persist — and again after that if you’re still negative.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here’s why you can’t necessarily trust a negative at-home COVID-19 test in 2024: While incubation times have gotten shorter, “paradoxically, we’re seeing people take longer to get a positive test,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Why? Chin-Hong said that the hypothesis that makes sense to him is less about the efficacy of the antigen tests themselves and way more about how much quicker someone with COVID-19 might develop \u003cem>symptoms\u003c/em> in 2024 than they would have done in 2020.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a reminder, those symptoms are the sign that your body’s immune system is mounting a response to an invading virus — and back at the start of the pandemic, by the time you developed COVID-19 symptoms and took a test it would probably already be positive, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But at this stage of the pandemic, most of us now have “a lot of immune experience,” Chin-Hong said — and the average person’s immune system is increasingly “on guard” and “activated more than in 2020,” he said. So when your body detects a burgeoning coronavirus infection now, “your whole immune system just gets agitated and active, and you begin to get sick sooner, but you actually don’t have as much virus in your blood yet,” Chin-Hong said. Dr. Abraar Karan, an infectious disease physician and researcher at Stanford University, also put it this way for NPR: “With our immune systems primed, \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2024/01/07/1222847727/coronavirus-faq-my-partner-roommate-kid-got-covid-and-i-didnt-how-come\">the body’s response [now] comes much more quickly than it would have back in 2020\u003c/a> when SARS-CoV-2 was a novel pathogen.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And because many of us take a COVID-19 test when we \u003cem>start\u003c/em> to feel sick, we might actually be testing way too early at that time for an at-home antigen kit to successfully detect enough virus inside us. This mismatch between when your symptoms start and when you’ve got enough virus present in your body to result in a positive COVID-19 test “was started to be observed in early omicron, but I think it just seems more accentuated now,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, told the Los Angeles Times that for her part, \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-09/covid-rising-home-test-taking-longer-discover-infections\">she attributes this delay we’re seeing in accurate test results to people acquiring accumulated immunity\u003c/a> from COVID-19 over the years, either from getting infected or vaccinated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-09/covid-rising-home-test-taking-longer-discover-infections\">“It’s actually pushing back the time that people’s COVID tests are coming up positive,” Hudson said.\u003c/a> “So some people are testing at Day 1 and Day 2 … If they probably tested themselves a couple of days later, there’s a pretty good chance that it actually would turn out to be COVID.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bottom line is: If you’re testing because you’ve started feeling unwell, don’t assume a negative result means you don’t actually have COVID-19. Play it safe, stay home as much as you can and wear a well-fitted mask if you can’t, and take another antigen test 48 hours later, Chin-Hong said. You can also seek out a PCR test, which are more sensitive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 3: Make sure your COVID-19 test hasn’t expired\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many of the COVID-19 tests being made available right now (\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11970001/free-covid-tests-near-me-public-library\">for example, at your local public library\u003c/a>) may be approaching their expiration date if they haven’t already passed it. And an expired test could give you an unreliable result.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">You can check the FDA’s list of antigen test types \u003c/a>to see \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">whether the box you’re holding has had its shelf life extended\u003c/a> by the manufacturer. The FDA said that if a test’s shelf life has been extended, it’s because the manufacturer has given the agency enough “data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized.” (In other words, it’s still OK to use that test.)\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Should I be altering my behavior right now?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>With the onset of winter respiratory virus season, everyone should consider taking extra or new steps to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection during a rise in level, even if it feels like “a step backward” for you, at this stage of the pandemic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This might include bringing a well-fitting N95 mask along to indoor spaces that you know could be crowded, like the grocery store. Or if you’re hosting people indoors in your home, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967946/covid-ventilation-guide-indoors-windows\">ensure the space has good ventilation by taking measures like opening windows\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If the weather allows, you might also consider favoring outdoor hangouts and meetups with friends and family at this current time, to help reduce the potential risks of COVID-19 transmission. The chances are good that the folks you’re meeting up with could also be feeling a little anxious about the recent rise in cases but might not feel able to articulate it for fear of killing the social vibe. Consider doing the quieter folks in your circle a favor and being the person who raises the issue first to keep everyone safer. Remember: It’s not weird to not want to get COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re at higher risk for serious illness or hospitalization from COVID-19, it’s an especially good idea to take extra precautions against the virus right now. These groups can include older people, immunocompromised and disabled folks, and people who “haven’t been recently vaccinated, in the last six months or so,” advises Chin-Hong.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another reason you might consider being extra cautious about COVID-19 right now is if you’ve got upcoming travel plans (for example, for the holidays).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even if your symptoms are mild, a COVID-19 infection can require isolation from other people for well over a week — and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11942172/should-everyone-be-trying-to-get-paxlovid-for-covid-now-yes-basically#paxlovidrebound\">you can double that timeline if you get a rebound (i.e., second) infection\u003c/a>, which is surprisingly common even in people who don’t take the antiviral treatment, Paxlovid.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"freecovidtests\">\u003c/a>Where can I \u003cem>still\u003c/em> find a free COVID-19 test?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Good question. Finding a quick, free COVID-19 test — whether an at-home antigen test or a PCR test — has gotten progressively harder at this stage of the pandemic as more sites and services have been shuttered.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The federal government has, at least, restarted its \u003ca href=\"https://www.covid.gov/tests\">free at-home COVID-test-ordering service\u003c/a> through USPS, meaning you can once again order another four free antigen tests to be delivered to your door for a future time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11957645\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11957645\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A person with long hair inserts a long cottonswab in her nostril while standing in the doorway of her home.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Janet Franco-Orona swabs her nose for a COVID-19 test at her home in San José on Feb. 3, 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But what do you do now if you don’t already have a supply of antigen tests for COVID-19 at home right now? Try the following:\u003c/p>\n\u003ch4>Purchase a COVID-19 at-home antigen test at a pharmacy near you\u003c/h4>\n\u003cp>The quickest option will also be one of the most expensive up-front: Purchasing an at-home antigen test at a nearby pharmacy. (Ideally, ask someone to purchase one for you so you don’t potentially expose other people at the pharmacy — and if you really have to go yourself, wear a well-fitted N95 mask to help lower the risk you pose to others.) These at-home test kits are usually around $20 for a pack of two antigen tests.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11969300/how-to-get-reimbursed-for-at-home-covid-tests-in-2023\">request reimbursement from your health insurer for the cost of up to eight at-home tests per month\u003c/a>, so don’t throw away your receipts.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch4>Find a COVID-19 PCR testing site near you\u003c/h4>\n\u003cp>PCR testing is more accurate than an antigen test — because it’s more sensitive at picking up traces of the coronavirus in your body — but it may take longer to get your results than with an at-home test.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Currently, there are still some sites offering free COVID-19 testing around the state. Try using:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://myturn.ca.gov/testing.html\">MyTurn.ca.gov/testing\u003c/a> and applying the “Free Sites” filter from the drop-down menu.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://testinglocator.cdc.gov/Search\">The CDC’s COVID-19 test locator.\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, you may be able to get a PCR test ordered by your health care provider with the costs covered. Having a test ordered by a provider is — usually — the only way to get your testing costs covered if you have Medicare, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch4>Try your local public library\u003c/h4>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11970001/free-covid-tests-near-me-public-library\">Free COVID-19 tests may also be available for pick-up at your local Bay Area public library \u003c/a>this winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For more information, read \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11970001/free-covid-tests-near-me-public-library\">our new guide to which Bay Area public libraries are giving away free at-home antigen tests\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch4>If you have health insurance, contact your provider\u003c/h4>\n\u003cp>If you are insured with major Bay Area providers, such as Kaiser Permanente or Sutter Health, the easiest option to secure a COVID-19 test may be to make an appointment through your particular provider. Most providers offer sign-ups online through a member’s login, and appointments can also be made by phone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For more ideas on how to find a free or low-cost COVID-19 test near you, see \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11940562/how-to-find-a-free-covid-test-near-you-in-2023-because-its-getting-harder\">the KQED guide, which includes finding a test through your Bay Area county’s public health department or at a private testing site\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also read \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11950386/at-home-covid-tests-are-still-effective-in-2023-and-you-can-still-get-them-for-free\">our guide to using at-home antigen tests in 2023 and how effective they are\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Tested positive for COVID-19? Consider asking for a Paxlovid prescription\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11914514/if-you-get-covid-should-you-try-to-get-paxlovid-heres-how-with-or-without-health-insurance\">Paxlovid (pronounced “pax-LOH-vid” or sometimes “PAX-loh-vid”) is a highly effective antiviral treatment for COVID-19\u003c/a>, available free by prescription in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The treatment is fairly simple and entails taking a pill orally twice a day for five days. There’s evidence that it could help \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11942172/should-everyone-be-trying-to-get-paxlovid-for-covid-now-yes-basically#paxlovidlongcovid\">lower your risks of developing long COVID-19\u003c/a>, and as well as helping to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11914514/if-you-get-covid-should-you-try-to-get-paxlovid-heres-how-with-or-without-health-insurance\">reduce your risks of severe illness or hospitalization\u003c/a>, it can also help ease symptoms during an infection.[aside postID=news_11954507 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66630_GettyImages-1369841386-qut-1020x680.jpg']Because of good supply, the drug is no longer reserved for people most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and everyone is encouraged to contact a health care provider to see whether they qualify.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As of February 2023, you no longer need proof of a positive COVID-19 test \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11942172/should-everyone-be-trying-to-get-paxlovid-for-covid-now-yes-basically\">to get a prescription for Paxlovid either\u003c/a>. But for it to be effective, health officials recommend starting a course of Paxlovid within five days of a positive test. This means that taking a test as soon as you suspect you have COVID-19 is still very important.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you took Paxlovid for a previous COVID-19 infection, can you retake it for a new infection? Yes, it’s “definitely OK” to do so, said UCSF’s Chin-Hong if it’s a new, “distinct episode of COVID”. The only time it wouldn’t make sense to take Paxlovid a second time, Chin-Hong said, is for the \u003cem>same\u003c/em> infection — because you “will likely not benefit in taking another course even if you still test positive.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re seeking a prescription, be aware that as of November there have been some changes to how Paxlovid is funded, meaning \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11966797/paxlovid-free-eligibility-california-2023\">people with health insurance should make sure they’re requesting Paxlovid “in-network” to avoid an unexpected bill. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Read more on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11914514/if-you-get-covid-should-you-try-to-get-paxlovid-heres-how-with-or-without-health-insurance\">how to request a prescription for Paxlovid, with or without health insurance\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID-19\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger and help us decide what to cover here on our site and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[hearken id=\"10483\" src=\"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js\"]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>An earlier version of this story was originally published on Nov. 22. KQED’s Lesley McClurg, Alexander Gonzalez and Brian Watt contributed reporting to this story.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n","stats":{"hasVideo":false,"hasChartOrMap":false,"hasAudio":false,"hasPolis":false,"wordCount":4109,"hasGoogleForm":false,"hasGallery":false,"hasHearkenModule":true,"iframeSrcs":[],"paragraphCount":73},"modified":1705000548,"excerpt":"A new COVID variant is spreading. Here's what you need to know about the incubation period, symptoms and when to take a test.","headData":{"twImgId":"","twTitle":"","ogTitle":"","ogImgId":"","twDescription":"","description":"A new COVID variant is spreading. Here's what you need to know about the incubation period, symptoms and when to take a test.","title":"The JN.1 COVID Variant: Symptoms, Incubation Period and When to Test | KQED","ogDescription":"","schema":{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"The JN.1 COVID Variant: Symptoms, Incubation Period and When to Test","datePublished":"2024-01-11T08:00:05-08:00","dateModified":"2024-01-11T11:15:48-08:00","image":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png","isAccessibleForFree":"True","publisher":{"@type":"NewsMediaOrganization","@id":"https://www.kqed.org/#organization","name":"KQED","url":"https://www.kqed.org","logo":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"}}},"guestAuthors":[],"slug":"the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","excludeFromSiteSearch":"Include","sticky":false,"articleAge":"0","path":"/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know","audioTrackLength":null,"parsedContent":[{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>If it feels like \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11954507/covid-symptoms-after-pride-how-to-find-test\">many people you know are getting COVID-19 again \u003c/a>… you’re not alone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fueled by a new subvariant called JN.1, COVID-19 rates are way up for the start of 2024, as part of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1985786/bay-area-covid-flu-cases-on-the-rise-but-not-surging-like-last-year\">a sharp rise that began back in November.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So, what do you need to know about the symptoms of JN.1? Is there an updated incubation period to know about for COVID-19 in 2024, and where can you even find a free COVID-19 test now? Keep reading for everything you need to know, or jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#JN1covidsymptoms\">What are the symptoms of JN.1?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#covidincubationperiod\">What’s the incubation time for COVID-19 now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#covidincubationperiod\">I tested negative. Can I trust my antigen kit?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#freecovidtests\">Where can I still find free COVID-19 tests?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>And remember, the new COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer — and most recently Novavax — are available across California. The new shots are free for everyone, with or without health insurance, and are formulated to target strains like these latest subvariants. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11960630/free-new-covid-vaccine-near-me-2023\">Read where to find the new COVID-19 vaccine near you.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What is JN.1, and why is it spreading so much?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Right now, JN.1 is the most prevalent COVID-19 subvariant in the United States, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)\u003ca href=\"https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions\"> estimates currently makes up almost 62% of cases nationwide\u003c/a>. Behind it is the previous top variant, HV.1, which now only makes up 14.8% of cases across the country.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"aside","attributes":{"named":{"postid":"news_11967946,news_11968709,news_11970001,news_11966797","label":"COVID Is Still With Us "},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(If you’re losing track of all these subvariants of the omicron variant by this stage of the pandemic, that’s understandable. To recap: The swell of COVID-19 cases in summer 2023 was fueled by EG.5, unofficially nicknamed “Eris” by some online just as XBB.1.16 before it was nicknamed “Arcturus” — even though \u003ca href=\"https://www.who.int/news/item/16-03-2023-statement-on-the-update-of-who-s-working-definitions-and-tracking-system-for-sars-cov-2-variants-of-concern-and-variants-of-interest\">the World Health Organization has revised its naming conventions\u003c/a> to reserve “Greek labels” only for “variants of concern.” After the summer of EG.5, HV.1 rose to national prominence, followed now by JN.1.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Whereas HV.1 was a part of the XBB sublineage of the omicron variant, \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/SARS-CoV-2-variant-JN.1.html\">JN.1 is closely related to the BA.2.86 strain\u003c/a>, the CDC said in an announcement declaring JN.1 “a variant of interest” back in December. And when you’re dealing with descendants like JN.1 and HV.1 before it, it’s important to remember that each new subvariant is more easily transmitted, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Every time something rises up the charts in the ‘tree of COVID life,’ by essence it had to have a superpower that makes them more powerful than the rest,” Chin-Hong said. “And that superpower is generally transmissibility.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>JN.1’s infectiousness means that the “strategies people could use to escape infection over the summer during our surge are probably not working right now,” Chin-Hong said — added to the fact that winter holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year prompted travel and brought many people together in crowded gatherings. All of this means that “we all get together, we mix risks from all over the country [and] we don’t have much time to recover before being exposed and exposing others,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Aside from its infectiousness, the CDC said in its Dec. 8 briefing that there’s “no evidence that JN.1 presents an increased risk to public health relative to other currently circulating variant,” and “no indication of increased severity from JN.1 at this time.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But, Chin-Hong stressed, JN.1’s increased transmissibility still means that “more people will get infected, which means that our hospitals will be fuller, and that will limit our ability to care for those who have other illnesses.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"JN1covidsymptoms\">\u003c/a>What are the symptoms of JN.1?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Chin-Hong confirms that no surprising wild card symptoms have yet been reported for JN.1, or HV.1 before it — they’re the same COVID-19 symptoms you’re used to hearing about from previous variants. Or at least, that’s how it looks right now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Like the other omicron flavors,” Chin-Hong said, “many [cases] start with a sore throat,” followed by congestion and a dry cough. From there, “the other symptoms — headache, runny nose, muscle aches, diarrhea or upset stomach, fever, loss of smell— may also join in,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The characteristics of the person becoming infected can also shape what symptoms are experienced,” Chin-Hong said, noting that a person age 75 or over or an immunocompromised person who didn’t \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11960630/free-new-covid-vaccine-near-me-2023\">receive the new COVID-19 vaccine\u003c/a> “may experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to the CDC, \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html\">this is the full list of the possible symptoms of COVID-19\u003c/a>:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Fever or chills\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Cough\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Fatigue\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Muscle or body aches\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Headache\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>New loss of taste or smell\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sore throat\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Congestion or runny nose\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Nausea or vomiting\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Diarrhea.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Remember, you might have a combination of these symptoms or just one. They might be mild or feel more severe. But if you’re experiencing any of these, take a COVID-19 test (more on this below).\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"covidcasesbayarea\">\u003c/a>What are the current COVID-19 cases in the Bay Area right now?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“COVID cases” — that is, positive test results — are not tracked in the way they once were. There’s more on that below, but in the absence of up-to-date widespread data on positive COVID-19 test results, watching for the presence of the coronavirus in human sewage has become increasingly important instead for gauging the levels of COVID-19 spread in a particular area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Stanford University’s WastewaterSCAN project monitors the presence of COVID-19 — as well as other viruses — in wastewater across the U.S. (For example, you can \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CiQQACABSABSBjM3NDMwYVoIWEJCX2JrcHR4rAGKAQY3NjI5ZDM%3D&selectedChartId=7629d3\">see the concentration of COVID-19 in wastewater collected from the Oceanside San Francisco watershed\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And when it comes to COVID-19 in Bay Area sewage, after numbers came down after that summer swell, WastewaterSCAN’s Ali Boehm told KQED by email on Jan. 8 that \u003ca href=\"https://wwscan.ghost.io/\">those levels of COVID-19 are unfortunately “high and increasing” right now\u003c/a>. In the chart below, which shows a trend line aggregated from the Bay Area wastewater sites, you can see how the current rise compares to the highest spike visible, which is the initial omicron surge of winter 2021-22.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11972211\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11972211\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/COVID-1-08-wastewater.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1239\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/COVID-1-08-wastewater.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/COVID-1-08-wastewater-800x516.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/COVID-1-08-wastewater-1020x658.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/COVID-1-08-wastewater-160x103.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/COVID-1-08-wastewater-1536x991.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A chart showing COVID-19 levels collected from across Bay Area wastewater sites. \u003ccite>(WastewaterSCAN)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>As for other winter respiratory viruses, levels of RSV in Bay Area wastewater are “still quite high and have not clearly started decreasing,” Boehm said. One bit of good news: Boehm said that local wastewater shows that the flu is “not circulating now like it did at this time last year.” \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11968709/cold-flu-or-rsv-how-to-tell-which-virus-you-might-have-from-testing-to-symptoms\">Read more about the different symptoms of RSV and flu in relation to COVID-19.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Statewide, COVID-19 metrics are also back on the upswing after a lull. \u003ca href=\"https://covid19.ca.gov/state-dashboard/\">The state’s 7-day COVID-19 positivity test rate \u003c/a>tracks the average percentage of people in California each week who get a positive diagnostic test result from a lab after taking a PCR test. The statewide positivity rate reached its highest point for the entire year back on Sept. 2, at 17.4%.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But after falling to a low of 6.1% on Nov. 3, the weekly average positivity rate has climbed again to 12.3% as of the most recently available data, collected on Jan. 1. (It’s worth noting that many people who suspect they have COVID-19 in 2023 test themselves at home with an antigen test kit, not a PCR test — so this tracking from the California Department of Public Health \u003cem>doesn’t\u003c/em> represent the full picture of COVID-19 positivity around the state.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What else would you like to read an explainer on right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>After a lull following the 2023 summer swell, \u003ca href=\"https://covid19.ca.gov/state-dashboard/\">the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19\u003c/a> in California began climbing again in November and peaked on Dec. 22 with a 7-day average of 2,339 people hospitalized statewide. The most recent available data, from Dec. 31, shows a drop to a 7-day average of 1,990 patients.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"aside","attributes":{"named":{"postid":"news_11960630","hero":"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-1020x680.jpg","label":""},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Why don’t we have firmer numbers on how many people are actually testing positive for COVID-19 right now? Earlier in the pandemic, most people were getting diagnostic PCR tests through official sites, which were then tracked through their laboratory processing and had their numbers reported — the way the state’s official test positivity rate is still tracked.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, the arrival of widespread antigen tests has now given more people a way to test themselves for COVID-19 at home without having to find a PCR test (albeit in a manner \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11950386/at-home-covid-tests-are-still-effective-in-2023-and-you-can-still-get-them-for-free\">different from how a PCR test “detects” the virus\u003c/a>). But while public officials have urged at-home testers to report positive results to their local health authority, very few people still do so.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>All of this goes some way to explain why the “true” number of people who currently have COVID-19 in 2023 is a very difficult number to report — and why any official number from PCR testing almost certainly represents a big undercount.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11948962\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11948962\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS62644_GettyImages-1237599780-qut.jpg\" alt=\"In this photo illustration, a COVID-19 self-test package is seen on a dark table.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS62644_GettyImages-1237599780-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS62644_GettyImages-1237599780-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS62644_GettyImages-1237599780-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS62644_GettyImages-1237599780-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS62644_GettyImages-1237599780-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">When COVID-19 cases rise, strongly consider rising up — and testing if you feel symptoms. \u003ccite>(Photo Illustration by Michael Ho Wai Lee/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>Is the new COVID-19 vaccine still effective against JN.1 and HV.1?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes: \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11960630/free-new-covid-vaccine-near-me-2023\">The new COVID-19 vaccine that’s now available across California \u003c/a>is formulated to target the XBB sublineage, from which HV.1 is descended. And that same vaccine is “still effective against JN.1,” too, Chin-Hong said, despite this latest subvariant having more than “30 more mutations than XBB.1.5, which the vaccine is based on.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"fullwidth"},"numeric":["fullwidth"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"covidincubationperiod\">\u003c/a>I think I was exposed, or have symptoms. When should I take a COVID-19 test?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 1: Know about updated incubation times for JN.1\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’ve heard that incubation times for the virus are getting shorter — that is, the amount of time between getting exposed to COVID-19 and testing positive for COVID-19 — it’s true. People are testing positive for COVID-19 more quickly than they were in 2020 when the average incubation period was five days because the incubation period has changed with each new variant, confirms Chin-Hong.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While “we don’t have a ton” of up-to-date information on incubation times at this stage of the pandemic, notes Chin-Hong, given this general trend, it makes sense to take a COVID-19 test as early as two days after exposure if you’re already having symptoms. But there’s a crucial update for 2024…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 2: Don’t trust a negative early COVID-19 test\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your first test is negative, you should absolutely test again the next day if symptoms persist — and again after that if you’re still negative.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here’s why you can’t necessarily trust a negative at-home COVID-19 test in 2024: While incubation times have gotten shorter, “paradoxically, we’re seeing people take longer to get a positive test,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Why? Chin-Hong said that the hypothesis that makes sense to him is less about the efficacy of the antigen tests themselves and way more about how much quicker someone with COVID-19 might develop \u003cem>symptoms\u003c/em> in 2024 than they would have done in 2020.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a reminder, those symptoms are the sign that your body’s immune system is mounting a response to an invading virus — and back at the start of the pandemic, by the time you developed COVID-19 symptoms and took a test it would probably already be positive, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But at this stage of the pandemic, most of us now have “a lot of immune experience,” Chin-Hong said — and the average person’s immune system is increasingly “on guard” and “activated more than in 2020,” he said. So when your body detects a burgeoning coronavirus infection now, “your whole immune system just gets agitated and active, and you begin to get sick sooner, but you actually don’t have as much virus in your blood yet,” Chin-Hong said. Dr. Abraar Karan, an infectious disease physician and researcher at Stanford University, also put it this way for NPR: “With our immune systems primed, \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2024/01/07/1222847727/coronavirus-faq-my-partner-roommate-kid-got-covid-and-i-didnt-how-come\">the body’s response [now] comes much more quickly than it would have back in 2020\u003c/a> when SARS-CoV-2 was a novel pathogen.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And because many of us take a COVID-19 test when we \u003cem>start\u003c/em> to feel sick, we might actually be testing way too early at that time for an at-home antigen kit to successfully detect enough virus inside us. This mismatch between when your symptoms start and when you’ve got enough virus present in your body to result in a positive COVID-19 test “was started to be observed in early omicron, but I think it just seems more accentuated now,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, told the Los Angeles Times that for her part, \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-09/covid-rising-home-test-taking-longer-discover-infections\">she attributes this delay we’re seeing in accurate test results to people acquiring accumulated immunity\u003c/a> from COVID-19 over the years, either from getting infected or vaccinated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-09/covid-rising-home-test-taking-longer-discover-infections\">“It’s actually pushing back the time that people’s COVID tests are coming up positive,” Hudson said.\u003c/a> “So some people are testing at Day 1 and Day 2 … If they probably tested themselves a couple of days later, there’s a pretty good chance that it actually would turn out to be COVID.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bottom line is: If you’re testing because you’ve started feeling unwell, don’t assume a negative result means you don’t actually have COVID-19. Play it safe, stay home as much as you can and wear a well-fitted mask if you can’t, and take another antigen test 48 hours later, Chin-Hong said. You can also seek out a PCR test, which are more sensitive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 3: Make sure your COVID-19 test hasn’t expired\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many of the COVID-19 tests being made available right now (\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11970001/free-covid-tests-near-me-public-library\">for example, at your local public library\u003c/a>) may be approaching their expiration date if they haven’t already passed it. And an expired test could give you an unreliable result.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">You can check the FDA’s list of antigen test types \u003c/a>to see \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">whether the box you’re holding has had its shelf life extended\u003c/a> by the manufacturer. The FDA said that if a test’s shelf life has been extended, it’s because the manufacturer has given the agency enough “data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized.” (In other words, it’s still OK to use that test.)\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Should I be altering my behavior right now?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>With the onset of winter respiratory virus season, everyone should consider taking extra or new steps to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection during a rise in level, even if it feels like “a step backward” for you, at this stage of the pandemic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This might include bringing a well-fitting N95 mask along to indoor spaces that you know could be crowded, like the grocery store. Or if you’re hosting people indoors in your home, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967946/covid-ventilation-guide-indoors-windows\">ensure the space has good ventilation by taking measures like opening windows\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If the weather allows, you might also consider favoring outdoor hangouts and meetups with friends and family at this current time, to help reduce the potential risks of COVID-19 transmission. The chances are good that the folks you’re meeting up with could also be feeling a little anxious about the recent rise in cases but might not feel able to articulate it for fear of killing the social vibe. Consider doing the quieter folks in your circle a favor and being the person who raises the issue first to keep everyone safer. Remember: It’s not weird to not want to get COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re at higher risk for serious illness or hospitalization from COVID-19, it’s an especially good idea to take extra precautions against the virus right now. These groups can include older people, immunocompromised and disabled folks, and people who “haven’t been recently vaccinated, in the last six months or so,” advises Chin-Hong.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another reason you might consider being extra cautious about COVID-19 right now is if you’ve got upcoming travel plans (for example, for the holidays).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even if your symptoms are mild, a COVID-19 infection can require isolation from other people for well over a week — and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11942172/should-everyone-be-trying-to-get-paxlovid-for-covid-now-yes-basically#paxlovidrebound\">you can double that timeline if you get a rebound (i.e., second) infection\u003c/a>, which is surprisingly common even in people who don’t take the antiviral treatment, Paxlovid.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"freecovidtests\">\u003c/a>Where can I \u003cem>still\u003c/em> find a free COVID-19 test?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Good question. Finding a quick, free COVID-19 test — whether an at-home antigen test or a PCR test — has gotten progressively harder at this stage of the pandemic as more sites and services have been shuttered.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The federal government has, at least, restarted its \u003ca href=\"https://www.covid.gov/tests\">free at-home COVID-test-ordering service\u003c/a> through USPS, meaning you can once again order another four free antigen tests to be delivered to your door for a future time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11957645\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11957645\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A person with long hair inserts a long cottonswab in her nostril while standing in the doorway of her home.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS47065_033_SanJose_COVIDTesting_02032021-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Janet Franco-Orona swabs her nose for a COVID-19 test at her home in San José on Feb. 3, 2021. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But what do you do now if you don’t already have a supply of antigen tests for COVID-19 at home right now? Try the following:\u003c/p>\n\u003ch4>Purchase a COVID-19 at-home antigen test at a pharmacy near you\u003c/h4>\n\u003cp>The quickest option will also be one of the most expensive up-front: Purchasing an at-home antigen test at a nearby pharmacy. (Ideally, ask someone to purchase one for you so you don’t potentially expose other people at the pharmacy — and if you really have to go yourself, wear a well-fitted N95 mask to help lower the risk you pose to others.) These at-home test kits are usually around $20 for a pack of two antigen tests.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11969300/how-to-get-reimbursed-for-at-home-covid-tests-in-2023\">request reimbursement from your health insurer for the cost of up to eight at-home tests per month\u003c/a>, so don’t throw away your receipts.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch4>Find a COVID-19 PCR testing site near you\u003c/h4>\n\u003cp>PCR testing is more accurate than an antigen test — because it’s more sensitive at picking up traces of the coronavirus in your body — but it may take longer to get your results than with an at-home test.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Currently, there are still some sites offering free COVID-19 testing around the state. Try using:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://myturn.ca.gov/testing.html\">MyTurn.ca.gov/testing\u003c/a> and applying the “Free Sites” filter from the drop-down menu.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://testinglocator.cdc.gov/Search\">The CDC’s COVID-19 test locator.\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, you may be able to get a PCR test ordered by your health care provider with the costs covered. Having a test ordered by a provider is — usually — the only way to get your testing costs covered if you have Medicare, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch4>Try your local public library\u003c/h4>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11970001/free-covid-tests-near-me-public-library\">Free COVID-19 tests may also be available for pick-up at your local Bay Area public library \u003c/a>this winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For more information, read \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11970001/free-covid-tests-near-me-public-library\">our new guide to which Bay Area public libraries are giving away free at-home antigen tests\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch4>If you have health insurance, contact your provider\u003c/h4>\n\u003cp>If you are insured with major Bay Area providers, such as Kaiser Permanente or Sutter Health, the easiest option to secure a COVID-19 test may be to make an appointment through your particular provider. Most providers offer sign-ups online through a member’s login, and appointments can also be made by phone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For more ideas on how to find a free or low-cost COVID-19 test near you, see \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11940562/how-to-find-a-free-covid-test-near-you-in-2023-because-its-getting-harder\">the KQED guide, which includes finding a test through your Bay Area county’s public health department or at a private testing site\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also read \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11950386/at-home-covid-tests-are-still-effective-in-2023-and-you-can-still-get-them-for-free\">our guide to using at-home antigen tests in 2023 and how effective they are\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Tested positive for COVID-19? Consider asking for a Paxlovid prescription\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11914514/if-you-get-covid-should-you-try-to-get-paxlovid-heres-how-with-or-without-health-insurance\">Paxlovid (pronounced “pax-LOH-vid” or sometimes “PAX-loh-vid”) is a highly effective antiviral treatment for COVID-19\u003c/a>, available free by prescription in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The treatment is fairly simple and entails taking a pill orally twice a day for five days. There’s evidence that it could help \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11942172/should-everyone-be-trying-to-get-paxlovid-for-covid-now-yes-basically#paxlovidlongcovid\">lower your risks of developing long COVID-19\u003c/a>, and as well as helping to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11914514/if-you-get-covid-should-you-try-to-get-paxlovid-heres-how-with-or-without-health-insurance\">reduce your risks of severe illness or hospitalization\u003c/a>, it can also help ease symptoms during an infection.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"aside","attributes":{"named":{"postid":"news_11954507","hero":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66630_GettyImages-1369841386-qut-1020x680.jpg","label":""},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Because of good supply, the drug is no longer reserved for people most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and everyone is encouraged to contact a health care provider to see whether they qualify.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As of February 2023, you no longer need proof of a positive COVID-19 test \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11942172/should-everyone-be-trying-to-get-paxlovid-for-covid-now-yes-basically\">to get a prescription for Paxlovid either\u003c/a>. But for it to be effective, health officials recommend starting a course of Paxlovid within five days of a positive test. This means that taking a test as soon as you suspect you have COVID-19 is still very important.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you took Paxlovid for a previous COVID-19 infection, can you retake it for a new infection? Yes, it’s “definitely OK” to do so, said UCSF’s Chin-Hong if it’s a new, “distinct episode of COVID”. The only time it wouldn’t make sense to take Paxlovid a second time, Chin-Hong said, is for the \u003cem>same\u003c/em> infection — because you “will likely not benefit in taking another course even if you still test positive.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re seeking a prescription, be aware that as of November there have been some changes to how Paxlovid is funded, meaning \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11966797/paxlovid-free-eligibility-california-2023\">people with health insurance should make sure they’re requesting Paxlovid “in-network” to avoid an unexpected bill. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Read more on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11914514/if-you-get-covid-should-you-try-to-get-paxlovid-heres-how-with-or-without-health-insurance\">how to request a prescription for Paxlovid, with or without health insurance\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID-19\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger and help us decide what to cover here on our site and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"hearken","attributes":{"named":{"id":"10483","src":"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js","label":""},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>An earlier version of this story was originally published on Nov. 22. KQED’s Lesley McClurg, Alexander Gonzalez and Brian Watt contributed reporting to this story.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"floatright"},"numeric":["floatright"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}}],"link":"/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know","authors":["3243"],"categories":["news_457","news_8","news_356"],"tags":["news_32707","news_27350","news_29029","news_27989","news_29546"],"featImg":"news_11957792","label":"news"},"news_11967946":{"type":"posts","id":"news_11967946","meta":{"index":"posts_1716263798","site":"news","id":"11967946","score":null,"sort":[1703109349000]},"parent":0,"labelTerm":{"site":"news"},"blocks":[],"publishDate":1703109349,"format":"standard","title":"How to Ventilate Your Home For the Holidays to Help Reduce COVID Risks","headTitle":"How to Ventilate Your Home For the Holidays to Help Reduce COVID Risks | KQED","content":"\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11846759/saying-no-to-a-covid-thanksgiving-holidays-how-to-break-it-to-family-or-friends\">In 2020, a huge number of people chose to say no to gathering for the holidays \u003c/a>because of the dangers posed by COVID-19 pre-vaccines, especially to older or immunocompromised family members.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now, in 2023, many folks feel safer gathering for the holidays again — especially if they’ve recently \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11960630/free-new-covid-vaccine-near-me-2023\">received the new COVID-19 vaccine\u003c/a>. But the fact remains that whatever the reason for a get-together, you’re gathering several people — probably a \u003ci>lot \u003c/i>of them — in the same room. And in crowded indoor spaces, the risk of COVID-19 transmission increases if someone in that room has the virus, whether they know it or not.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cb>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#openwindows\">The best way to open your windows to help reduce COVID risks\u003c/a>\u003c/b>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>One way to help reduce the risks of COVID-19 transmission in an indoor space is to ensure that an indoor space has clean air — because coronavirus particles can hang in the air of places that aren’t ventilated properly. But other than cracking a window, what \u003ci>does \u003c/i>“ventilating your space” really mean in practice for your own holiday dinner?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for practical tips about filtering and ventilating your home for your holiday dinner to reduce the risks of your loved ones catching not just COVID-19 but other respiratory viruses like flu and RSV.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Filtering the air for the holidays\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Clean air makes it harder for the coronavirus particles that cause COVID-19 to hang around and infect you — and it can be achieved by filtering those particles from the air with a filtration device or by ventilating the space with fresh air. (This principle of fresh, ventilated air is also why being outdoors makes your risk of COVID transmission drop significantly.)[aside postID='news_11967137,news_11957790,news_11940562' label='More Holiday Guides From KQED']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/06/29/1106822268/coronavirus-faq-got-any-tips-on-improving-indoor-air-flow-to-reduce-infection-ri\">“If people could see COVID in the air\u003c/a>, it would make a lot more sense that what you need to do is clean the air in your house,” Abraar Karan, an infectious disease physician at Stanford University, told NPR in 2022. The basic idea: “Exchange the air out, get fresh air in, improve ventilation so that you don’t have a lot of air hanging around where other people can breathe it in and get infected,” Karan said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some ways to filter in the air inside your home:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Use an air purifier\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have a filtration device in your home — perhaps an air purifier you purchased in the past to combat wildfire smoke — then that is probably the best way to improve air quality, said Catherine Gorle, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Gorle said this comes with two caveats, though. First, “you need to make sure that you replace the filter frequently enough that the system can work optimally,” she said. \u003ca href=\"https://www.vox.com/even-better/23299793/clean-your-filters-hepa-water\">The recommended time limit for filter use may depend on the specific appliance\u003c/a>, but it’s probably time if you can’t remember when you last replaced it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Second, make sure that “the capacity is rated for the room [size] that you have,” Gorle said. That is, don’t rely on a tiny filtering device intended for a small space to clean the air inside a really big room — because it just won’t do the job. \u003ca href=\"https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/air-cleaners-and-air-filters-home\">Read more from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about effectively using an indoor air purifying unit.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Use your air conditioning (if you have it)\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You may hear the filtration systems built \u003ci>into \u003c/i>homes called HVAC systems, an acronym for heating, ventilation and air conditioning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In our usually temperate climate, Bay Area homes typically don’t have air conditioning, so this tip may not apply to many locals. But if your home does have AC, those systems can have “really high-grade filters as well,” Gorle said — “HEPA filters that will filter out particles, just the way that you do it with any indoor air filtering system.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re conscious of your energy use (and your bills), Gorle notes that your AC “will consume a bit more energy because at the same time they’re conditioning the air [to be] cooling it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11932984\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11932984 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/pexels-fauxels-3184183.jpg\" alt=\"A shot taken from above of a group of people around a table, eating dinner and raising their glasses in a toast.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1281\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/pexels-fauxels-3184183.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/pexels-fauxels-3184183-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/pexels-fauxels-3184183-1020x681.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/pexels-fauxels-3184183-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/pexels-fauxels-3184183-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">As the holiday season arrives, there are things you can do to help reduce your risk of exposure to indoor COVID-19. \u003ccite>(fauxels via Pexels)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>No air purifier? Try making your own\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have access to a box fan, \u003ca href=\"https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-merv-rating\">a MERV filter\u003c/a> and some duct tape, you can make your own DIY air filter device. Find our instructions — first published for wildfire smoke — in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1976551/how-to-get-or-make-a-free-low-cost-air-purifier-for-your-home#air\">this KQED guide, “How to make your own air purifier.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>NPR also has another \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/06/29/1106822268/coronavirus-faq-got-any-tips-on-improving-indoor-air-flow-to-reduce-infection-ri\">guide to making your own DIY air filter using a box fan\u003c/a>, or you can consult this \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-to-diy-an-air-purifier/\">“How to DIY an Air Purifier” explainer \u003c/a>from the \u003cem>New York Times\u003c/em> Wirecutter blog.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"openwindows\">\u003c/a>How to open your windows to create maximum airflow\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you don’t have a filtration device or AC, it’s time to open your windows, Gorle said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Basically, you’re going to focus on “how you can maximize that airflow” through your space, she said. But it’s not just a case of cracking a solitary window open. Gorle’s expert advice is as follows:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Try to open more than one window around a room\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The more windows you can open, the more ventilation you are going to get,” Gorle said — because it’s not enough to bring fresh air into your space. Ideally, you want to then help get that air out through \u003ci>another \u003c/i>window — and “the more windows, the better.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Opening windows on the opposite sides of a room is particularly effective for creating cross-ventilation, Gorle said. In other words, opening two windows that are side-by-side will be less useful at this.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What else do you need to know about COVID right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>What if you can’t — or don’t want to — open your windows all the way? In this instance, even just cracking windows a bit is still a good idea, Virginia Tech professor of civil and environmental engineering Linsey Marr told NPR. \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/06/29/1106822268/coronavirus-faq-got-any-tips-on-improving-indoor-air-flow-to-reduce-infection-ri\">Your windows “don’t have to be wide open,” Marr said.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>…but think carefully about where you seat your guests\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Consider the airflow direction in and out of your space when you have two or more windows open. “Because if you’re sitting at the window where the air is coming in, you’re getting all that clean air,” Gorle said. “But you’re sitting at the window where the air is going \u003ci>out\u003c/i>, you’re actually getting all the air that people have been breathing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Try to seat your guests as close as possible to the fresh air coming in — and don’t park them all by the window where airflow is going out. Because if COVID-19 particles are in that airflow, that “air out” area will be heavy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11967991\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11967991\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-carlos-caamal-can-910458.jpg\" alt=\"An image of a window with short grey curtains set into brown walls. There is soft yellow light coming through.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-carlos-caamal-can-910458.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-carlos-caamal-can-910458-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-carlos-caamal-can-910458-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-carlos-caamal-can-910458-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-carlos-caamal-can-910458-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">If you’re hosting guests this holiday season, opening your windows can help reduce the risk of indoor transmission of COVID-19. \u003ccite>(Carlos Caamal Can/Pexels)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Run a test to see how air is coming in — or out\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>How do you know which is the “air in” window and which is the “air out” one? Gorle has a few tricks up her sleeve for this. The simplest is to stand in front of the open window and hold up a small piece of string, ribbon, or anything similar in front of it, letting it hang down. This way, “you can kind of see which way the stream moves and then understand if the air is coming in or going out,” Gorle said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You could also use a candle for this — although, of course, be careful with the lit flame (especially if you and your guests have already begun the holiday celebrations with a drink or two.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once you’ve established how air is coming in and out of your space through the windows, you know where best to seat your guests closest to that fresh incoming air and furthest from the outflow — especially those at higher risk for severe disease or hospitalization from COVID-19. “That’s what I’ve done with my mom, who was at risk as well,” Gorle said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Only got one window? Still open that\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Don’t panic if you only have one window to open, Gorle said — you’ll still “get some air exchanged depending on where the wind is coming from.” And some fresh air in your space is better than none.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you get lucky, “you might have enough pressure differences between indoor and outdoor that you do actually get some ventilation with just one window open, she said — “so it is always better to open your window than to keep it closed.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Use portable fans to help that existing airflow move\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once you’ve worked out how air is coming in and out of your open windows, you could try using portable fans — like a box fan — to help push the existing airflow along, Gorle said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You’ll be “using the fan to help the airflow in that same direction because you don’t want to start counteracting the natural driving force,” Gorle said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11967994\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11967994\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-rdne-stock-project-5847615.jpg\" alt=\"A hand holds a bottle of olive oil, drizzling the oil over a raw turkey against the backdrop of a kitchen\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-rdne-stock-project-5847615.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-rdne-stock-project-5847615-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-rdne-stock-project-5847615-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-rdne-stock-project-5847615-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-rdne-stock-project-5847615-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Improving ventilation in your indoor space over the holidays can help reduce COVID-19 risks. \u003ccite>(RDNE Stock project/Pexels)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Got a skylight? Check if it opens\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have a skylight with a manual or remote-controlled way of opening it, do it. Opening an overhead window like a skylight will create airflow really easily, Gorle said — “because of temperature differences between indoors and outdoors, the air will move vertically as well.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So, in addition to windows on your walls, “you can actually use buoyancy effects to try and create that airflow through openings that are at different heights,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Use your bathroom fan\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This tip is particularly good for smaller homes, or if you don’t have many windows, you can open them: Keep all the doors in your home open, and run any bathroom fan that’s extracting air.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“That is going to help bring air in through any windows that you can open as well,” and then push the air out, Gorle said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Getting chilly inside? Don’t be afraid of using a heater\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your family or friends complain about the cold indoors from all your open windows, rest assured that it’s okay to turn on your space heater — you won’t be undoing all your good ventilation work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It might be that you’re actually increasing the airflow if you heat up the indoors a little bit better,” Gorle said. “Bigger temperature differences usually cause more airflow” — unless you’ve got unlucky, and the air buoyancy (that is, the upward force) and the wind are fighting each other. But ultimately, it’s worth turning on a heater just to be able to \u003ci>keep \u003c/i>those windows open.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/indoor-air-homes-and-coronavirus-covid-19\">Read even more about ways to ventilate and filter the air inside your home from the EPA\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story was originally published on November 21.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2023. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID-19\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you can see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger and help us decide what to cover here on our site and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[hearken id=\"10483\" src=\"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js\"]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n","stats":{"hasVideo":false,"hasChartOrMap":false,"hasAudio":false,"hasPolis":false,"wordCount":2083,"hasGoogleForm":false,"hasGallery":false,"hasHearkenModule":true,"iframeSrcs":[],"paragraphCount":53},"modified":1703115212,"excerpt":"If you’re getting together with family and friends this holiday season, the risk of COVID-19 transmission in crowded indoor spaces increases if someone in that room has the virus, whether they know it or not.","headData":{"twImgId":"","twTitle":"","ogTitle":"","ogImgId":"","twDescription":"","description":"If you’re getting together with family and friends this holiday season, the risk of COVID-19 transmission in crowded indoor spaces increases if someone in that room has the virus, whether they know it or not.","title":"How to Ventilate Your Home For the Holidays to Help Reduce COVID Risks | KQED","ogDescription":"","schema":{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"How to Ventilate Your Home For the Holidays to Help Reduce COVID Risks","datePublished":"2023-12-20T13:55:49-08:00","dateModified":"2023-12-20T15:33:32-08:00","image":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png","isAccessibleForFree":"True","publisher":{"@type":"NewsMediaOrganization","@id":"https://www.kqed.org/#organization","name":"KQED","url":"https://www.kqed.org","logo":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"}}},"guestAuthors":[],"slug":"covid-ventilation-guide-indoors-windows","status":"publish","excludeFromSiteSearch":"Include","sticky":false,"articleAge":"0","path":"/news/11967946/covid-ventilation-guide-indoors-windows","audioTrackLength":null,"parsedContent":[{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11846759/saying-no-to-a-covid-thanksgiving-holidays-how-to-break-it-to-family-or-friends\">In 2020, a huge number of people chose to say no to gathering for the holidays \u003c/a>because of the dangers posed by COVID-19 pre-vaccines, especially to older or immunocompromised family members.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now, in 2023, many folks feel safer gathering for the holidays again — especially if they’ve recently \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11960630/free-new-covid-vaccine-near-me-2023\">received the new COVID-19 vaccine\u003c/a>. But the fact remains that whatever the reason for a get-together, you’re gathering several people — probably a \u003ci>lot \u003c/i>of them — in the same room. And in crowded indoor spaces, the risk of COVID-19 transmission increases if someone in that room has the virus, whether they know it or not.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cb>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#openwindows\">The best way to open your windows to help reduce COVID risks\u003c/a>\u003c/b>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>One way to help reduce the risks of COVID-19 transmission in an indoor space is to ensure that an indoor space has clean air — because coronavirus particles can hang in the air of places that aren’t ventilated properly. But other than cracking a window, what \u003ci>does \u003c/i>“ventilating your space” really mean in practice for your own holiday dinner?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for practical tips about filtering and ventilating your home for your holiday dinner to reduce the risks of your loved ones catching not just COVID-19 but other respiratory viruses like flu and RSV.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Filtering the air for the holidays\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Clean air makes it harder for the coronavirus particles that cause COVID-19 to hang around and infect you — and it can be achieved by filtering those particles from the air with a filtration device or by ventilating the space with fresh air. (This principle of fresh, ventilated air is also why being outdoors makes your risk of COVID transmission drop significantly.)\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"aside","attributes":{"named":{"postid":"news_11967137,news_11957790,news_11940562","label":"More Holiday Guides From KQED "},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/06/29/1106822268/coronavirus-faq-got-any-tips-on-improving-indoor-air-flow-to-reduce-infection-ri\">“If people could see COVID in the air\u003c/a>, it would make a lot more sense that what you need to do is clean the air in your house,” Abraar Karan, an infectious disease physician at Stanford University, told NPR in 2022. The basic idea: “Exchange the air out, get fresh air in, improve ventilation so that you don’t have a lot of air hanging around where other people can breathe it in and get infected,” Karan said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some ways to filter in the air inside your home:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Use an air purifier\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have a filtration device in your home — perhaps an air purifier you purchased in the past to combat wildfire smoke — then that is probably the best way to improve air quality, said Catherine Gorle, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Gorle said this comes with two caveats, though. First, “you need to make sure that you replace the filter frequently enough that the system can work optimally,” she said. \u003ca href=\"https://www.vox.com/even-better/23299793/clean-your-filters-hepa-water\">The recommended time limit for filter use may depend on the specific appliance\u003c/a>, but it’s probably time if you can’t remember when you last replaced it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Second, make sure that “the capacity is rated for the room [size] that you have,” Gorle said. That is, don’t rely on a tiny filtering device intended for a small space to clean the air inside a really big room — because it just won’t do the job. \u003ca href=\"https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/air-cleaners-and-air-filters-home\">Read more from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about effectively using an indoor air purifying unit.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Use your air conditioning (if you have it)\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You may hear the filtration systems built \u003ci>into \u003c/i>homes called HVAC systems, an acronym for heating, ventilation and air conditioning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In our usually temperate climate, Bay Area homes typically don’t have air conditioning, so this tip may not apply to many locals. But if your home does have AC, those systems can have “really high-grade filters as well,” Gorle said — “HEPA filters that will filter out particles, just the way that you do it with any indoor air filtering system.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re conscious of your energy use (and your bills), Gorle notes that your AC “will consume a bit more energy because at the same time they’re conditioning the air [to be] cooling it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11932984\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11932984 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/pexels-fauxels-3184183.jpg\" alt=\"A shot taken from above of a group of people around a table, eating dinner and raising their glasses in a toast.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1281\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/pexels-fauxels-3184183.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/pexels-fauxels-3184183-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/pexels-fauxels-3184183-1020x681.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/pexels-fauxels-3184183-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/pexels-fauxels-3184183-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">As the holiday season arrives, there are things you can do to help reduce your risk of exposure to indoor COVID-19. \u003ccite>(fauxels via Pexels)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>No air purifier? Try making your own\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have access to a box fan, \u003ca href=\"https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-merv-rating\">a MERV filter\u003c/a> and some duct tape, you can make your own DIY air filter device. Find our instructions — first published for wildfire smoke — in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1976551/how-to-get-or-make-a-free-low-cost-air-purifier-for-your-home#air\">this KQED guide, “How to make your own air purifier.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>NPR also has another \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/06/29/1106822268/coronavirus-faq-got-any-tips-on-improving-indoor-air-flow-to-reduce-infection-ri\">guide to making your own DIY air filter using a box fan\u003c/a>, or you can consult this \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-to-diy-an-air-purifier/\">“How to DIY an Air Purifier” explainer \u003c/a>from the \u003cem>New York Times\u003c/em> Wirecutter blog.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"openwindows\">\u003c/a>How to open your windows to create maximum airflow\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you don’t have a filtration device or AC, it’s time to open your windows, Gorle said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Basically, you’re going to focus on “how you can maximize that airflow” through your space, she said. But it’s not just a case of cracking a solitary window open. Gorle’s expert advice is as follows:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Try to open more than one window around a room\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The more windows you can open, the more ventilation you are going to get,” Gorle said — because it’s not enough to bring fresh air into your space. Ideally, you want to then help get that air out through \u003ci>another \u003c/i>window — and “the more windows, the better.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Opening windows on the opposite sides of a room is particularly effective for creating cross-ventilation, Gorle said. In other words, opening two windows that are side-by-side will be less useful at this.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What else do you need to know about COVID right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>What if you can’t — or don’t want to — open your windows all the way? In this instance, even just cracking windows a bit is still a good idea, Virginia Tech professor of civil and environmental engineering Linsey Marr told NPR. \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/06/29/1106822268/coronavirus-faq-got-any-tips-on-improving-indoor-air-flow-to-reduce-infection-ri\">Your windows “don’t have to be wide open,” Marr said.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>…but think carefully about where you seat your guests\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Consider the airflow direction in and out of your space when you have two or more windows open. “Because if you’re sitting at the window where the air is coming in, you’re getting all that clean air,” Gorle said. “But you’re sitting at the window where the air is going \u003ci>out\u003c/i>, you’re actually getting all the air that people have been breathing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Try to seat your guests as close as possible to the fresh air coming in — and don’t park them all by the window where airflow is going out. Because if COVID-19 particles are in that airflow, that “air out” area will be heavy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11967991\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11967991\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-carlos-caamal-can-910458.jpg\" alt=\"An image of a window with short grey curtains set into brown walls. There is soft yellow light coming through.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-carlos-caamal-can-910458.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-carlos-caamal-can-910458-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-carlos-caamal-can-910458-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-carlos-caamal-can-910458-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-carlos-caamal-can-910458-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">If you’re hosting guests this holiday season, opening your windows can help reduce the risk of indoor transmission of COVID-19. \u003ccite>(Carlos Caamal Can/Pexels)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Run a test to see how air is coming in — or out\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>How do you know which is the “air in” window and which is the “air out” one? Gorle has a few tricks up her sleeve for this. The simplest is to stand in front of the open window and hold up a small piece of string, ribbon, or anything similar in front of it, letting it hang down. This way, “you can kind of see which way the stream moves and then understand if the air is coming in or going out,” Gorle said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You could also use a candle for this — although, of course, be careful with the lit flame (especially if you and your guests have already begun the holiday celebrations with a drink or two.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once you’ve established how air is coming in and out of your space through the windows, you know where best to seat your guests closest to that fresh incoming air and furthest from the outflow — especially those at higher risk for severe disease or hospitalization from COVID-19. “That’s what I’ve done with my mom, who was at risk as well,” Gorle said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Only got one window? Still open that\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Don’t panic if you only have one window to open, Gorle said — you’ll still “get some air exchanged depending on where the wind is coming from.” And some fresh air in your space is better than none.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you get lucky, “you might have enough pressure differences between indoor and outdoor that you do actually get some ventilation with just one window open, she said — “so it is always better to open your window than to keep it closed.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Use portable fans to help that existing airflow move\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once you’ve worked out how air is coming in and out of your open windows, you could try using portable fans — like a box fan — to help push the existing airflow along, Gorle said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You’ll be “using the fan to help the airflow in that same direction because you don’t want to start counteracting the natural driving force,” Gorle said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11967994\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11967994\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-rdne-stock-project-5847615.jpg\" alt=\"A hand holds a bottle of olive oil, drizzling the oil over a raw turkey against the backdrop of a kitchen\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-rdne-stock-project-5847615.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-rdne-stock-project-5847615-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-rdne-stock-project-5847615-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-rdne-stock-project-5847615-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/pexels-rdne-stock-project-5847615-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Improving ventilation in your indoor space over the holidays can help reduce COVID-19 risks. \u003ccite>(RDNE Stock project/Pexels)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Got a skylight? Check if it opens\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have a skylight with a manual or remote-controlled way of opening it, do it. Opening an overhead window like a skylight will create airflow really easily, Gorle said — “because of temperature differences between indoors and outdoors, the air will move vertically as well.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So, in addition to windows on your walls, “you can actually use buoyancy effects to try and create that airflow through openings that are at different heights,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Use your bathroom fan\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This tip is particularly good for smaller homes, or if you don’t have many windows, you can open them: Keep all the doors in your home open, and run any bathroom fan that’s extracting air.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“That is going to help bring air in through any windows that you can open as well,” and then push the air out, Gorle said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"fullwidth"},"numeric":["fullwidth"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Getting chilly inside? Don’t be afraid of using a heater\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your family or friends complain about the cold indoors from all your open windows, rest assured that it’s okay to turn on your space heater — you won’t be undoing all your good ventilation work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It might be that you’re actually increasing the airflow if you heat up the indoors a little bit better,” Gorle said. “Bigger temperature differences usually cause more airflow” — unless you’ve got unlucky, and the air buoyancy (that is, the upward force) and the wind are fighting each other. But ultimately, it’s worth turning on a heater just to be able to \u003ci>keep \u003c/i>those windows open.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/indoor-air-homes-and-coronavirus-covid-19\">Read even more about ways to ventilate and filter the air inside your home from the EPA\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story was originally published on November 21.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2023. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID-19\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you can see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger and help us decide what to cover here on our site and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"hearken","attributes":{"named":{"id":"10483","src":"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js","label":""},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"floatright"},"numeric":["floatright"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}}],"link":"/news/11967946/covid-ventilation-guide-indoors-windows","authors":["3243"],"categories":["news_8"],"tags":["news_29789","news_33515","news_32707","news_29029","news_27989","news_27626","news_20138","news_293","news_33517"],"featImg":"news_11968052","label":"news"},"news_11970001":{"type":"posts","id":"news_11970001","meta":{"index":"posts_1716263798","site":"news","id":"11970001","score":null,"sort":[1702677644000]},"parent":0,"labelTerm":{"site":"news"},"blocks":[],"publishDate":1702677644,"format":"standard","title":"Need a Free COVID Test? Try Your Local Public Library","headTitle":"Need a Free COVID Test? Try Your Local Public Library | KQED","content":"\u003cp>Almost four years into the COVID-19 pandemic, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11940562/how-to-find-a-free-covid-test-near-you-in-2023-because-its-getting-harder\">finding a free antigen test\u003c/a> has become a lot harder.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know\">COVID-19 numbers on the rise again\u003c/a> as the holidays approach — and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1985786/bay-area-covid-flu-cases-on-the-rise-but-not-surging-like-last-year\">high levels of respiratory virus around the state generally, including RSV and flu \u003c/a>— establishing whether your runny nose and sore throat is, in fact, COVID-19 may have become even more of a priority in your own household recently.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One place you now might be able to find a free COVID-19 at-home test? Your local public library.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Free COVID-19 tests, no library card needed\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Many libraries around the Bay Area have a supply of antigen tests to give out to anyone who wants one — with no proof of library card or county residency required. One of those is the San Francisco Public Library system, which distributes 15,000 free tests this winter in \u003ca href=\"https://sfpl.org/locations/#!/filters?sort_by=weight&sort_order=ASC\">multiple branch locations around the city\u003c/a>. The library is not limiting how many tests a person can take.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump to: \u003ca href=\"#freecovidtestnearme\">Other places to find a free COVID-19 test near you\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Dolly Goyal, the library’s chief of public services, says these free tests will be beneficial for families as schools around the county get ready to close for the holidays. The library system, she says, wants “to make sure families get these before they might go on vacation or anywhere else” to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the community.[aside postID='news_11968709,news_11969300,news_11957790,news_11940562' label='More COVID Guides From KQED']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Public Library urges community members to take as many antigen tests as they feel they need — because those at-home kits expire early in 2024. That said, the San Francisco Public Health Department says COVID-19 tests \u003cem>can\u003c/em> still be used past the expiration date.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">You can check the FDA’s list of antigen test types to see whether the box you’re holding has had its shelf life extended by the manufacturer\u003c/a>. The FDA says that if a test’s shelf life has been extended, it’s because the manufacturer has given the agency enough “data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized.” (In other words, it’s still OK to use that test.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What other COVID-19 information do you need right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Keep reading to determine whether your Bay Area county’s public library offers free COVID-19 antigen tests this winter. And if they aren’t, we have tips on where else to still find free or low-cost COVID-19 testing near you below.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(Looking for information on the best time to take a COVID-19 test if you’re experiencing symptoms? \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know#erisincubation\">Read our guide to current COVID-19 incubation periods.\u003c/a>)\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>The Bay Area public libraries giving out free COVID-19 tests\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Individual libraries may have different limits on how many COVID-19 tests you can take each time. County library systems are also often separate from city libraries — so you may wish to ask your local city library, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Francisco \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>See above: The San Francisco Public Library is distributing COVID-19 tests at its locations around the city. \u003ca href=\"https://sfpl.org/locations/#!/filters?sort_by=weight&sort_order=ASC\">Find your local San Francisco Public Library branch.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Berkeley\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Starting Monday, Dec. 18, Berkeley public libraries will have “a limited supply” of free COVID-19 tests at every location. \u003ca href=\"https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/locations\">Find your local Berkeley Public Library branch.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Contra Costa County\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>All 26 of Contra Costa County Library’s locations offer free COVID-19 tests. \u003ca href=\"https://ccclib.bibliocommons.com/v2/locations?_gl=1*1wxjih2*_ga*MTEyNDE2NDg0OC4xNzAyNDI2ODQ4*_ga_G99DMMNG39*MTcwMjY1NjkwMS4yLjAuMTcwMjY1NjkwMS4wLjAuMA..*_ga_ZET0BKEQP0*MTcwMjY1NjkwMS4yLjAuMTcwMjY1NjkwMS4wLjAuMA..\">Find your local Contra Costa County Library branch.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Solano County\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Free COVID-19 tests are available at every location of the Solano County Library. \u003ca href=\"https://solanolibrary.com/hours-and-locations/\">Find your local Solano County Library branch.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>San Mateo, Sonoma, Marin and Napa counties have confirmed to KQED that they are not currently offering COVID-19 tests at their library locations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the Santa Clara County Library District is not currently offering free COVID-19 tests, \u003ca href=\"https://publichealth.sccgov.org/services/better-health-pharmacy\">county residents can pick up free antigen tests at any Better Health Pharmacy\u003c/a>. We’ll update this guide with information about Alameda County.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"freecovidtestnearme\">\u003c/a>Where else can I find a free or low-cost COVID-19 test near me?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Order free at-home COVID-19 tests from the U.S. government via USPS\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can once again\u003ca href=\"https://special.usps.com/testkits\"> order four free at-home COVID-19 antigen tests from covidtests.gov \u003c/a>or by phone at 800-232-0233.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Get reimbursed for COVID test purchases by your health insurance\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California law dictates that your insurer still has to offer reimbursement for the cost of up to eight at-home COVID-19 tests, although as of Nov. 12, they can require that you purchase these “in-network.” \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11969300/how-to-get-reimbursed-for-at-home-covid-tests-in-2023\">Read more about getting reimbursed for COVID-19 tests by your insurer.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Find a COVID-19 test through your health care provider\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you are insured with major Bay Area providers such as Kaiser Permanente or Sutter Health, the easiest option to secure a COVID-19 test may be to make an appointment through that particular provider. Most providers offer sign-ups online through a member’s personal login, and appointments can also be made by phone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Find a COVID-19 test through the state or federal government\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CDC still maintains\u003ca href=\"https://testinglocator.cdc.gov/\"> a nationwide map of COVID-19 testing locations at testinglocator.cdc.gov,\u003c/a> and all testing facilities listed on the site “are available at no cost for people without health insurance” through the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html\">a list of community-based testing sites around the country\u003c/a>. Select California in the “Find Testing Resources” dropdown.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also use the\u003ca href=\"https://myturn.ca.gov/testing.html\"> California Department of Public Health’s map of COVID-19 testing and treatment sites.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Find a COVID-19 test through your Bay Area county\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The majority of the county testing sites you saw at the height of the pandemic have now shut down — but your county may have several sites still operating, often in partnership with community groups. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11940562/how-to-find-a-free-covid-test-near-you-in-2023-because-its-getting-harder#findtests\">Find your county in our list of COVID-19 testing resources.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Find a COVID-19 test at your local pharmacy\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/covid19/pcrpickup\">Walgreens offers free PCR tests to take home and mail in\u003c/a>, with results in about two days. Walgreens says no insurance is required, but you must register your collection kit with Labcorp to receive results. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11940562/how-to-find-a-free-covid-test-near-you-in-2023-because-its-getting-harder#findtests\">Read more about COVID-19 testing at your local pharmacy.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Find a COVID-19 test from your school district\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many Bay Area school districts have offered COVID-19 testing for students and staff — and sometimes the families of students — during the pandemic, and some may have continued their programs into this school year. Check directly with your child’s school.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2023. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID-19\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger and help us decide what to cover here on our site and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[hearken id=\"10483\" src=\"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js\"]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s Emily Calix and Sydney Johnson contributed reporting to this story.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n","stats":{"hasVideo":false,"hasChartOrMap":false,"hasAudio":false,"hasPolis":false,"wordCount":1290,"hasGoogleForm":false,"hasGallery":false,"hasHearkenModule":true,"iframeSrcs":[],"paragraphCount":42},"modified":1702671946,"excerpt":"Many public libraries around the Bay Area are now offering free COVID-19 test pick-up. See if your county is participating and other ways to find a free COVID-19 antigen test near you.","headData":{"twImgId":"","twTitle":"","ogTitle":"","ogImgId":"","twDescription":"","description":"Many public libraries around the Bay Area are now offering free COVID-19 test pick-up. See if your county is participating and other ways to find a free COVID-19 antigen test near you.","title":"Need a Free COVID Test? Try Your Local Public Library | KQED","ogDescription":"","schema":{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Need a Free COVID Test? Try Your Local Public Library","datePublished":"2023-12-15T14:00:44-08:00","dateModified":"2023-12-15T12:25:46-08:00","image":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png","isAccessibleForFree":"True","publisher":{"@type":"NewsMediaOrganization","@id":"https://www.kqed.org/#organization","name":"KQED","url":"https://www.kqed.org","logo":"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"}}},"guestAuthors":[],"slug":"free-covid-tests-near-me-public-library","status":"publish","excludeFromSiteSearch":"Include","sticky":false,"articleAge":"0","path":"/news/11970001/free-covid-tests-near-me-public-library","audioTrackLength":null,"parsedContent":[{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Almost four years into the COVID-19 pandemic, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11940562/how-to-find-a-free-covid-test-near-you-in-2023-because-its-getting-harder\">finding a free antigen test\u003c/a> has become a lot harder.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know\">COVID-19 numbers on the rise again\u003c/a> as the holidays approach — and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1985786/bay-area-covid-flu-cases-on-the-rise-but-not-surging-like-last-year\">high levels of respiratory virus around the state generally, including RSV and flu \u003c/a>— establishing whether your runny nose and sore throat is, in fact, COVID-19 may have become even more of a priority in your own household recently.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One place you now might be able to find a free COVID-19 at-home test? Your local public library.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Free COVID-19 tests, no library card needed\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Many libraries around the Bay Area have a supply of antigen tests to give out to anyone who wants one — with no proof of library card or county residency required. One of those is the San Francisco Public Library system, which distributes 15,000 free tests this winter in \u003ca href=\"https://sfpl.org/locations/#!/filters?sort_by=weight&sort_order=ASC\">multiple branch locations around the city\u003c/a>. The library is not limiting how many tests a person can take.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump to: \u003ca href=\"#freecovidtestnearme\">Other places to find a free COVID-19 test near you\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Dolly Goyal, the library’s chief of public services, says these free tests will be beneficial for families as schools around the county get ready to close for the holidays. The library system, she says, wants “to make sure families get these before they might go on vacation or anywhere else” to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the community.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"aside","attributes":{"named":{"postid":"news_11968709,news_11969300,news_11957790,news_11940562","label":"More COVID Guides From KQED "},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Public Library urges community members to take as many antigen tests as they feel they need — because those at-home kits expire early in 2024. That said, the San Francisco Public Health Department says COVID-19 tests \u003cem>can\u003c/em> still be used past the expiration date.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">You can check the FDA’s list of antigen test types to see whether the box you’re holding has had its shelf life extended by the manufacturer\u003c/a>. The FDA says that if a test’s shelf life has been extended, it’s because the manufacturer has given the agency enough “data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized.” (In other words, it’s still OK to use that test.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What other COVID-19 information do you need right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Keep reading to determine whether your Bay Area county’s public library offers free COVID-19 antigen tests this winter. And if they aren’t, we have tips on where else to still find free or low-cost COVID-19 testing near you below.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(Looking for information on the best time to take a COVID-19 test if you’re experiencing symptoms? \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11957790/the-new-covid-eris-variant-and-rising-cases-what-you-need-to-know#erisincubation\">Read our guide to current COVID-19 incubation periods.\u003c/a>)\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>The Bay Area public libraries giving out free COVID-19 tests\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Individual libraries may have different limits on how many COVID-19 tests you can take each time. County library systems are also often separate from city libraries — so you may wish to ask your local city library, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Francisco \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>See above: The San Francisco Public Library is distributing COVID-19 tests at its locations around the city. \u003ca href=\"https://sfpl.org/locations/#!/filters?sort_by=weight&sort_order=ASC\">Find your local San Francisco Public Library branch.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Berkeley\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Starting Monday, Dec. 18, Berkeley public libraries will have “a limited supply” of free COVID-19 tests at every location. \u003ca href=\"https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/locations\">Find your local Berkeley Public Library branch.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Contra Costa County\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>All 26 of Contra Costa County Library’s locations offer free COVID-19 tests. \u003ca href=\"https://ccclib.bibliocommons.com/v2/locations?_gl=1*1wxjih2*_ga*MTEyNDE2NDg0OC4xNzAyNDI2ODQ4*_ga_G99DMMNG39*MTcwMjY1NjkwMS4yLjAuMTcwMjY1NjkwMS4wLjAuMA..*_ga_ZET0BKEQP0*MTcwMjY1NjkwMS4yLjAuMTcwMjY1NjkwMS4wLjAuMA..\">Find your local Contra Costa County Library branch.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Solano County\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Free COVID-19 tests are available at every location of the Solano County Library. \u003ca href=\"https://solanolibrary.com/hours-and-locations/\">Find your local Solano County Library branch.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>San Mateo, Sonoma, Marin and Napa counties have confirmed to KQED that they are not currently offering COVID-19 tests at their library locations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the Santa Clara County Library District is not currently offering free COVID-19 tests, \u003ca href=\"https://publichealth.sccgov.org/services/better-health-pharmacy\">county residents can pick up free antigen tests at any Better Health Pharmacy\u003c/a>. We’ll update this guide with information about Alameda County.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"fullwidth"},"numeric":["fullwidth"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"freecovidtestnearme\">\u003c/a>Where else can I find a free or low-cost COVID-19 test near me?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Order free at-home COVID-19 tests from the U.S. government via USPS\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can once again\u003ca href=\"https://special.usps.com/testkits\"> order four free at-home COVID-19 antigen tests from covidtests.gov \u003c/a>or by phone at 800-232-0233.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Get reimbursed for COVID test purchases by your health insurance\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California law dictates that your insurer still has to offer reimbursement for the cost of up to eight at-home COVID-19 tests, although as of Nov. 12, they can require that you purchase these “in-network.” \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11969300/how-to-get-reimbursed-for-at-home-covid-tests-in-2023\">Read more about getting reimbursed for COVID-19 tests by your insurer.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Find a COVID-19 test through your health care provider\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you are insured with major Bay Area providers such as Kaiser Permanente or Sutter Health, the easiest option to secure a COVID-19 test may be to make an appointment through that particular provider. Most providers offer sign-ups online through a member’s personal login, and appointments can also be made by phone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Find a COVID-19 test through the state or federal government\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CDC still maintains\u003ca href=\"https://testinglocator.cdc.gov/\"> a nationwide map of COVID-19 testing locations at testinglocator.cdc.gov,\u003c/a> and all testing facilities listed on the site “are available at no cost for people without health insurance” through the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html\">a list of community-based testing sites around the country\u003c/a>. Select California in the “Find Testing Resources” dropdown.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also use the\u003ca href=\"https://myturn.ca.gov/testing.html\"> California Department of Public Health’s map of COVID-19 testing and treatment sites.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Find a COVID-19 test through your Bay Area county\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The majority of the county testing sites you saw at the height of the pandemic have now shut down — but your county may have several sites still operating, often in partnership with community groups. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11940562/how-to-find-a-free-covid-test-near-you-in-2023-because-its-getting-harder#findtests\">Find your county in our list of COVID-19 testing resources.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Find a COVID-19 test at your local pharmacy\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/covid19/pcrpickup\">Walgreens offers free PCR tests to take home and mail in\u003c/a>, with results in about two days. Walgreens says no insurance is required, but you must register your collection kit with Labcorp to receive results. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11940562/how-to-find-a-free-covid-test-near-you-in-2023-because-its-getting-harder#findtests\">Read more about COVID-19 testing at your local pharmacy.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Find a COVID-19 test from your school district\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many Bay Area school districts have offered COVID-19 testing for students and staff — and sometimes the families of students — during the pandemic, and some may have continued their programs into this school year. Check directly with your child’s school.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2023. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID-19\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a>, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger and help us decide what to cover here on our site and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"hearken","attributes":{"named":{"id":"10483","src":"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js","label":""},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s Emily Calix and Sydney Johnson contributed reporting to this story.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}},{"type":"component","content":"","name":"ad","attributes":{"named":{"label":"floatright"},"numeric":["floatright"]}},{"type":"contentString","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>","attributes":{"named":{},"numeric":[]}}],"link":"/news/11970001/free-covid-tests-near-me-public-library","authors":["3243"],"categories":["news_457","news_8"],"tags":["news_32707","news_29029","news_27989"],"featImg":"news_11970050","label":"news"}},"programsReducer":{"possible":{"id":"possible","title":"Possible","info":"Possible is hosted by entrepreneur Reid Hoffman and writer Aria Finger. Together in Possible, Hoffman and Finger lead enlightening discussions about building a brighter collective future. The show features interviews with visionary guests like Trevor Noah, Sam Altman and Janette Sadik-Khan. Possible paints an optimistic portrait of the world we can create through science, policy, business, art and our shared humanity. It asks: What if everything goes right for once? How can we get there? 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