Would like some advice whether or not I should get covid tested... thanks! In the last two weeks, I’ve been three places outside my home, and in all of which I obeyed social distancing guidelines as best as possible: my grandparents’ house (outside), my father’s house (outside), and the grocery store. However, my roommate just went on a camping trip with nine of his friends last week. In the last two or three days, I have a little bit of trouble breathing (which I attribute to throat dryness and lack of hydration in general), a tiny bit of a sore throat (same reasons; I get a sore throat every morning for some reason), and I’ve had jaw/earaches. I’ve also been sneezing a bit, but that’s neither here nor there. I want to get tested because I feel like I’m morally obligated to (with my roommate still visiting friends and going to work and whatnot), but I am concerned about whether or not I am taking away a test from someone who needs one. Plus, I’ve been tested twice since the pandemic started already, most recently 2.5 weeks ago. What’s most concerning to me is that, while I’ve had dry throats and some trouble breathing since March, the jaw/earaches just started, and I’ve been quarantining in my room since then, wearing a mask any time I’m outside my room. If I wanted to, I could make an appointment to get a test in an hour in my town, and so I feel like they have enough, but I’m just not totally sure. I did an online screening with a RN, and they said that while I seem extremely low risk for having the virus, testing would be an appropriate measure. Suffice to say, I’m a bit conflicted and am open to any advice that can be given. Thanks again!

This is an issue with no easy answer. It's all about what level of risk you're willing to tolerate. Everyone is grappling with this in some form, because right now there is much more risk in the world. I'm noticing signs of OCD style thinking when you talk about "moral obligation". Perhaps a healthier way to approach this is to make a decision about how to act for yourself, and then be proactive about informing the people you interact with about your decision so that they can decide for themselves how they want to respond. Ex "I have a slight sore throat and trouble breathing. I talked to an RN and she said I was extremely low risk for having the virus, do I decided not to get tested. I'm letting you know this information so that you can decide if you're comfortable doing x with me

I also agree with Kate. As long as your honest about it to the people you may be seeing, let them know about what you have been experiencing and your roommate situation (the camping trip, and if he takes this seriously or not or if he see his friends a lot or not). They will tell you what they are comfortable with. Personally for me, with slight symptoms I would not see anyone for 2 weeks since your roommate had that camping trip. Just for safe measures for the family, of course! You sound like you have been doing a good job social distancing outside though when you do see family. So that’s good! My Therpist told me recently to print out the CDC guidelines and follow them, but don’t obsess and go above and beyond because they cover things thoroughly enough.

I tend to go for tests a lot and I've wondered if it feeds my OCD. I usually wait a day. If the next day my symptoms are worse, I go. If they're better, I stay put. My husband got presumptive covid when this started and I did not catch it (or I was asymptimatic). He wasnt able to get tested because there weren't enough tests at the time but he got a hideous fever for 4 or 5 days. He tries to put the limit on me of "no test unless you get a fever" but I've still gone for a sore throat or diarhea. I do try to wait a day or two though. I always tell him what I'm feeling so he can tell me if he'd be more comfortable if I isolate. He tells me to wait for larger symptoms.