Disclaimer: I am an immunocompromised Swiftie dating a cancer survivor. I am not a doctor or an epidemiologist, but unfortunately have had to stay very up-to-date to keep myself and my partner safe. If you are not open to the idea of taking COVID precautions, please leave this post now. I am not going to debate anyone in the comments, and I request that mods do not remove this as this information is important for folks who are trying to stay safe. I will update this post regularly, so feel free to bookmark and revisit before your tour date!
There is a 100% chance that there will be folks who are COVID positive and contagious at the tour. There is also a 100% chance that there are folks at the tour who are immunocompromised, or who have a loved one that is immunocompromised. Hell, this is true just because Taylor is at the tour. As you’re probably aware, her mom Andrea is a cancer survivor herself. Andrea wore a mask to opening weekend. Taylor wears a mask behind the scenes.
If you’ve never had COVID, you don’t want it. If you have had COVID, you don’t want it again. Research shows that COVID affects every part of the body, and fighting off a COVID infection can make you more susceptible to other sicknesses, like colds or flus. Additionally, your risks for hospitalization, death, further illness, and Long COVID increases with each infection. The best way to avoid this is to avoid COVID entirely. The worst thing in the world would be getting COVID before or at the tour, and having your memory of this amazing event compromised because you got sick immediately before/after. It's possible to suffer from memory lapses even with mild COVID.
Consider that you or your loved ones may also fall under the "high risk" category. I did not consider myself in this category before COVID, but the definition of high risk is quite broad - it includes people who have mental health conditions, diabetes, people who are pregnant, people who smoke or used to smoke, people who are overweight or physically inactive, people who are anemic, and more.
Even if your venue is outdoors, you can still spread and catch COVID. COVID is highly transmissible and can still spread outdoors, especially in large crowds. Extra especially when everyone is singing/screaming! Additionally, you can spread/catch COVID while walking inside the stadium, using the restrooms, waiting in line, etc.
​
You can dramatically reduce your risk of getting or spreading COVID by following these tips:
There is no “magic bullet” for avoiding COVID, so we use the “Swiss Cheese model” - each mitigation effort is a reduction of your likelihood of getting or spreading COVID. Consider incorporating some or all of these tips to reduce your likelihood of getting/spreading COVID dramatically.
​

• Make sure you are up-to-date with your vaccinations. Get the primary series of vaccines, and make sure you have also gotten the updated bivalent vaccine. However, remember that vaccines do not prevent you from getting or spreading COVID, and vaccines do NOT dramatically reduce your risk of Long COVID or long term health symptoms, only hospitalization/death while you are sick with COVID.
• 1-2 weeks before your tour date, reduce your activities and wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask (N95 or KN95) in public places. If you don’t get COVID, you can’t spread COVID! Avoid large indoor gatherings and avoid eating and drinking in restaurants or bars in the days leading up to your tour date. Research outdoor bars, restaurants, and beer gardens in the city you're visiting. It would suck to be sick for the concert! It’s 3 hours long and that just sounds miserable.
• Wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask on the plane and in the airport while you are en route to and from the concert. Again, if you don’t get COVID, you can’t spread COVID. There’s almost a 100% chance that someone on your plane to or from the concert has COVID.
• Take a rapid test the day of, before you go to the concert. If you test positive and it is at all possible for you to skip the concert (because you planned to go to multiple tour dates, or you are able to trade your tickets for a new date), then stay home. If not, make sure that you and your group wear a well-fitted, high quality mask for the duration of the concert and anytime you are around others. Consider informing those around you so that they can choose to mask up as well.
• If you feel any symptoms of sickness at all, regardless of your test result, mask up for the concert. At-home COVID tests are not always accurate, so if you are feeling sick then wear a mask to avoid spreading any sickness (flu, cold, COVID) to others.
• Wear a high quality and well fitting mask for the duration of the concert, even if you test negative and feel fine. Wearing a mask helps those of us who are immunocompromised or who have immunocompromised loved ones feel much safer. If everyone around us is wearing a mask, then we are safer if we need to remove a mask to take a drink and eat something, or if the fit of our mask isn’t ideal. Of course, it also protects you in case someone around you is positive and contagious. Two-way masking is much better than one-way masking, but one-way masking is effective. Bring multiples, as you might need to replace yours (sweat, tears, aggressive singing or screaming, etc.) or you may want to share some with those around you.
• If someone in your section is wearing a mask, consider wearing one too. For the most part, those of us who still mask are doing so because we are immunocompromised or have a loved one who is immunocompromised. The kindest, most amazing thing that anyone can do for us is to mask up when they see that we are masking. You would make an INSTANT friend from me if you masked up because I was sitting next to you!
• Test again 2-5 days after the tour. If you test positive, post your test and your tour date/section/seat number online. This will allow people to know if they have had a close contact, so that they can test too and isolate from vulnerable loved ones if needed. You can create a new account to share the test anonymously. Make sure to use keywords like "Taylor Swift" "Era's Tour" "Covid" "Positive" so people can find your post.
• Keep reduced/isolated/COVID safe activities before and after the concert. Given the size of the stadium and the fact that a concert involves a lot of singing/screaming, this is a high risk event for getting & spreading COVID. Before your trip, research and stick to outdoor venues for food and drinks (beer gardens, patios, etc.) and mask up when you are indoors in public places/museums/hotels/Ubers/Lyfts after the concert so you can avoid spreading anything afterwards too. Mask up on any planes/trains/buses you take to get back home. If you have vulnerable loved ones, let them know about your trip/concert and continue to mask around them or avoid in-person contact with them for 1-2 weeks.
• Share this post to encourage others to mask. If you are a content creator, there is extra responsibility from you. Getting this message out is important. I know there are many content creators in this sub who post a lot about Taylor Swift and the tour. You are a role model and someone who can influence the decisions of others. Please do not ignore the fact that COVID is still a thing when you post about attending the tour, and especially if you attend yourself.

​
If you wear a mask to the Eras Tour, just know that you are my hero. I have tickets to the tour but I am not sure if I will be able to go because I’m not sure I can effectively mitigate my risk. But my tour date isn’t for a couple of months - if I see that the concerts are getting safer because people are masking, it will be easier for me to make the decision to go. Immunocompromised Swifties are Swifties too. So, if you mask, THANK YOU. You bet I will if I go, because you can still make the whole place shimmer in a mask 😷
​
Links to everything you need to stay safe:

• Online store for high quality masks
• Another option with cute colors
• Order free COVID tests from USPS
• Buy COVID tests (FSA/HSA eligible)
• Schedule your free vaccine or bivalent booster
• See if you are high risk for COVID
• Learn about the Swiss Cheese model for avoiding COVID
• Read others’ stories about the impact of Long COVID

Disclaimer: I am an immunocompromised Swiftie dating a cancer survivor. I am not a doctor or an epidemiologist, but unfortunately have had to stay very up-to-date to keep myself and my partner safe. If you are not open to the idea of taking COVID precautions, please leave this post now. I am not going to debate anyone in the comments, and I request that mods do not remove this as this information is important for folks who are trying to stay safe. I will update this post regularly, so feel free to bookmark and revisit before your tour date!
There is a 100% chance that there will be folks who are COVID positive and contagious at the tour. There is also a 100% chance that there are folks at the tour who are immunocompromised, or who have a loved one that is immunocompromised. Hell, this is true just because Taylor is at the tour. As you’re probably aware, her mom Andrea is a cancer survivor herself. Andrea wore a mask to opening weekend. Taylor wears a mask behind the scenes.
If you’ve never had COVID, you don’t want it. If you have had COVID, you don’t want it again. Research shows that COVID affects every part of the body, and fighting off a COVID infection can make you more susceptible to other sicknesses, like colds or flus. Additionally, your risks for hospitalization, death, further illness, and Long COVID increases with each infection. The best way to avoid this is to avoid COVID entirely. The worst thing in the world would be getting COVID before or at the tour, and having your memory of this amazing event compromised because you got sick immediately before/after. It's possible to suffer from memory lapses even with mild COVID.
Consider that you or your loved ones may also fall under the "high risk" category. I did not consider myself in this category before COVID, but the definition of high risk is quite broad - it includes people who have mental health conditions, diabetes, people who are pregnant, people who smoke or used to smoke, people who are overweight or physically inactive, people who are anemic, and more.
Even if your venue is outdoors, you can still spread and catch COVID. COVID is highly transmissible and can still spread outdoors, especially in large crowds. Extra especially when everyone is singing/screaming! Additionally, you can spread/catch COVID while walking inside the stadium, using the restrooms, waiting in line, etc.
​
You can dramatically reduce your risk of getting or spreading COVID by following these tips:
There is no “magic bullet” for avoiding COVID, so we use the “Swiss Cheese model” - each mitigation effort is a reduction of your likelihood of getting or spreading COVID. Consider incorporating some or all of these tips to reduce your likelihood of getting/spreading COVID dramatically.
​

• Make sure you are up-to-date with your vaccinations. Get the primary series of vaccines, and make sure you have also gotten the updated bivalent vaccine. However, remember that vaccines do not prevent you from getting or spreading COVID, and vaccines do NOT dramatically reduce your risk of Long COVID or long term health symptoms, only hospitalization/death while you are sick with COVID.
• 1-2 weeks before your tour date, reduce your activities and wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask (N95 or KN95) in public places. If you don’t get COVID, you can’t spread COVID! Avoid large indoor gatherings and avoid eating and drinking in restaurants or bars in the days leading up to your tour date. Research outdoor bars, restaurants, and beer gardens in the city you're visiting. It would suck to be sick for the concert! It’s 3 hours long and that just sounds miserable.
• Wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask on the plane and in the airport while you are en route to and from the concert. Again, if you don’t get COVID, you can’t spread COVID. There’s almost a 100% chance that someone on your plane to or from the concert has COVID.
• Take a rapid test the day of, before you go to the concert. If you test positive and it is at all possible for you to skip the concert (because you planned to go to multiple tour dates, or you are able to trade your tickets for a new date), then stay home. If not, make sure that you and your group wear a well-fitted, high quality mask for the duration of the concert and anytime you are around others. Consider informing those around you so that they can choose to mask up as well.
• If you feel any symptoms of sickness at all, regardless of your test result, mask up for the concert. At-home COVID tests are not always accurate, so if you are feeling sick then wear a mask to avoid spreading any sickness (flu, cold, COVID) to others.
• Wear a high quality and well fitting mask for the duration of the concert, even if you test negative and feel fine. Wearing a mask helps those of us who are immunocompromised or who have immunocompromised loved ones feel much safer. If everyone around us is wearing a mask, then we are safer if we need to remove a mask to take a drink and eat something, or if the fit of our mask isn’t ideal. Of course, it also protects you in case someone around you is positive and contagious. Two-way masking is much better than one-way masking, but one-way masking is effective. Bring multiples, as you might need to replace yours (sweat, tears, aggressive singing or screaming, etc.) or you may want to share some with those around you.
• If someone in your section is wearing a mask, consider wearing one too. For the most part, those of us who still mask are doing so because we are immunocompromised or have a loved one who is immunocompromised. The kindest, most amazing thing that anyone can do for us is to mask up when they see that we are masking. You would make an INSTANT friend from me if you masked up because I was sitting next to you!
• Test again 2-5 days after the tour. If you test positive, post your test and your tour date/section/seat number online. This will allow people to know if they have had a close contact, so that they can test too and isolate from vulnerable loved ones if needed. You can create a new account to share the test anonymously. Make sure to use keywords like "Taylor Swift" "Era's Tour" "Covid" "Positive" so people can find your post.
• Keep reduced/isolated/COVID safe activities before and after the concert. Given the size of the stadium and the fact that a concert involves a lot of singing/screaming, this is a high risk event for getting & spreading COVID. Before your trip, research and stick to outdoor venues for food and drinks (beer gardens, patios, etc.) and mask up when you are indoors in public places/museums/hotels/Ubers/Lyfts after the concert so you can avoid spreading anything afterwards too. Mask up on any planes/trains/buses you take to get back home. If you have vulnerable loved ones, let them know about your trip/concert and continue to mask around them or avoid in-person contact with them for 1-2 weeks.
• Share this post to encourage others to mask. If you are a content creator, there is extra responsibility from you. Getting this message out is important. I know there are many content creators in this sub who post a lot about Taylor Swift and the tour. You are a role model and someone who can influence the decisions of others. Please do not ignore the fact that COVID is still a thing when you post about attending the tour, and especially if you attend yourself.

​
If you wear a mask to the Eras Tour, just know that you are my hero. I have tickets to the tour but I am not sure if I will be able to go because I’m not sure I can effectively mitigate my risk. But my tour date isn’t for a couple of months - if I see that the concerts are getting safer because people are masking, it will be easier for me to make the decision to go. Immunocompromised Swifties are Swifties too. So, if you mask, THANK YOU. You bet I will if I go, because you can still make the whole place shimmer in a mask 😷
​
Links to everything you need to stay safe:

• Online store for high quality masks
• Another option with cute colors
• Order free COVID tests from USPS
• Buy COVID tests (FSA/HSA eligible)
• Schedule your free vaccine or bivalent booster
• See if you are high risk for COVID
• Learn about the Swiss Cheese model for avoiding COVID
• Read others’ stories about the impact of Long COVID

Dear Karen Wilson,
You wrote that if people were caring enough, they would vote for a non-conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court justice. This is a link to your letter for others reading this: https://doorcountypulse.com/letter-to-the-editor-vote-for-supreme-court-justice/
This seems like an unfair criticism to me. The service-oriented economy was really bad in 2020 because of coronavirus. Some people might vote for Justice Daniel Kelly in gratitude for ruling against the governor's quarantine. Had he not done that, people's livelihoods would have taken an even worse hit. A link for more about him: https://justicedanielkelly.com/
Other people might vote for Dorow because they saw how she handled her courtroom on television. The defendant kept doing weird things, but she repeatedly kept him in line, and he was unable to force a retrial. This was important because it was important that the strong emotions in the community be expressed in a timely and orderly manner. Since the trial there has not been any vigilantism or blood-feuds stemming from the crime. A link for more about her: https://judgejennifer.com/
A caring person might pick a judge who cares about preserving livelihoods or preventing vigilantism. Both of the conservatives are fair-minded, competent and non-extreme.
But what about your list of priorities? You listed restricted voting access, gerrymandering, environmental protection, and abortion.
By restricted voting access, it seems you mean voter ID, dropboxes and mail-in voting.
Before you can expand these sorts of things, you first have to get the voter registration list fixed. So far, its been the conservatives who have been hacking away at this: http://www.freedomhillpatriots.com/Work_Script2023/Work_Script1_FreedomHillDeepThroatFile2023.pdf
You might cringe reading it, but please keep in mind these are the people who care enough. They'd have a more polished presentation if they had more help. There are only so many things one can do to loosen an electoral system before it collapses in a serious way. If you really want to loosen ID, dropboxes, and mail-in voting rules, you should help by getting the mistakes in the registration lists fixed. It isn't responsible to expect the Wisconsin Supreme Court to make the system more even vulnerable with the voter registry in its present state. The problems for Door County are listed on pages 13 to 14. Sometimes responsive government needs to start from the bottom-up with local volunteers helping out local elected officials.
Gerrymandering helps part ways in making up for the extreme geographical imbalance in the state bureaucracy. There are a number of laws where the bureaucrats themselves figure out the details. Essentially this is a legislative function. Educated civil servants disproportionately hail from large urban areas, yet they get to decide on things that disproportionately impact rural people. If the map was arranged to get more Democratic seats in the state legislature, that would expedite the process of dislocating the working-aged population to the Milwaukee and Madison areas to follow the jobs. From what I've seen, it seems that the Democratic side gets a larger advantage from the urbanized tilt of the civil service than the Republican side gets from gerrymandering. I've also not seen any serious attempts at compromise. Wouldn't the Wisconsin Supreme Court end up making things even more unequal by intervening? Generally a larger body such as a state legislature is better suited to making compromises and working out lots of complicated details at once.
Environmental protection and abortion are connected issues. The conservative justices will protect the environment by upholding the current abortion law. Do you really want abortion pills to be sold at the Walgreens and CVS in Sturgeon Bay? There is currently a court challenge over abortion. If they strike down the law, this will cause increased amounts of biohazardous waste to enter septic systems in areas of the county which do not have sewer service. Septic systems are not designed to handle what comes out during a chemical abortion, yet toilet flushing is commonly used anyway. Because of the karst bedrock and shallow soils, what goes into the septic systems has the potential to contaminate the groundwater nearby. People could be exposed to more disease-causing agents over time as the biohazardous material decays. Contamination from septic systems can spread across property lines, or affect previous occupants of a short-term rental. You can read more about the abortion wastewater problem at this website: https://thisischemicalabortion.com/environmental-impact/
Almost exactly one year ago, a letter was written about the problem of how the "usual suspects offend 50% of Americans regularly." Link for it: https://doorcountypulse.com/letter-to-the-editor-routine-democratic-letter-writers-bully-and-preach/ Your letter sort of fits within the scope it described "They are not trying to persuade you – they bully and preach to you." Your letter isn't bullying, but neither does it attempt to persuade people from other sides. I'd like to think that my letter above tries to reach out and help others understand why someone might support a conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court justice.
Not terribly long ago the Bay-Lake Consortium published a study where they went around to beaches asking people what their political party was: https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/WI-Coastal-Beaches-Working-Group-Fall-Meeting.pdf. They discovered a huge underrepresentation of Republicans. If the political makeup is similar across all tourist attractions, the deficit of Republican tourists implies a staggering financial loss to the area.
Could it be that more left-leaning tourists are being attracted? Possibly, but it appears that politics has far more of a downside economic risk than an upside economic possibility. That is why most businesses try to appear apolitical. Usually weaker local areas hide their politics in order to avoid sabotaging themselves economically, as a facet of "the customer is always right".

...please consider getting the latest (bivalent) COVID booster shot!
The latest strain is here, infections are increasing, and patients tell me this version sucks.
NOLA Ready still hosts vaccine events, or you can go to CVS/Walgreens with an appt, or your PCP.

Here's the story from CBS 6. When community levels are high, the CDC recommends wearing a mask in indoor public places (preferably a high-quality mask like an N95), and getting tested if you're going to be around high-risk people.
By the way, if you weren't paying attention, there's a new bivalent vaccine that provides good protection against new variants of COVID-19. The CDC recommends it for people 5 years old and older. If you get that and a flu shot, you should be in good shape for the winter. When I got them at CVS a couple of weeks ago there wasn't much wait-- I was able to schedule an appointment for the next day.
Here's the CDC's page where you can check community levels and get more info. Apparently the CDC's levels are based on the number of hospitalizations. You can see on the NY COVID-19 dashboard that hospitalizations increased this month in the capital region.
Anyway, I hope this helps some people avoid the hospital.

Please let me know if I should add anything to this sticky.
Omicron boosters from Phizer and Moderna have been approved by the FDA and are currently being rolled out, but information is still fuzzy about who actually has them available. * Updated boosters target both the original Covid strain and omicron’s BA.5 subvariant * Updated boosters will be free of charge and the US has secured 170+ million doses, so they should be widely and easily available soonish * To be eligible, you’ll need to have completed your primary vaccination series and be several months removed from previous boosters or infections.
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/06/where-to-find-omicron-specific-covid-boosters-walgreens-cvs-clinics.html
Where can I schedule a vaccination? https://www.vaccines.gov/
Should I get a booster? https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html

Hi everyone,
Just a quick heads-up. The FDA and the CDC have approved the updated boosters for the BA.4 and BA.5 variants. And the Walgreens and CVS websites are allowing people to schedule boosters with the updated vaccines here in Eugene. I just scheduled mine at the Walgreens on Coburg.

• CVS: https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine?icid=coronavirus-lp-nav-vaccine
• Walgreens: https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/schedule-vaccine

Go get boosted!

I booked 3 tickets departing from Washington, DC to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan with a connecting flight in Istanbul originally scheduled for August 6th to August 21st. I paid a total of close to 4500 dollars. My sister (one of the passengers) got COVID on August 4th and tested PCR positive on August 6th. So I called up the Turkish Airlines in order to move the ticket due to COVID and they said they could not do so because they were waiting for their feedback team to review the PCR results.
Under their important announcements tab - it states verbatim (most important bolded)
( Here is the link for more in-depth info: https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-us/announcements/coronavirus-outbreak/coronavirus-announcements/.
) .
Passengers who were unable to board the scheduled Turkish Airlines and AnadoluJet flights between June 11, 2020 and October 31, 2022 because they were not accepted by the destination country and/or have a positive COVID-19 test result and/or unable to board their flights because of the PCR test applied for flights arriving to Türkiye, may change their ticket, request a refund, change their ticket to an open ticket, or extend the validity of their ticket.
If the ticket is issued on or before October 31, 2022:

• The ticket is issued for a scheduled domestic and international Turkish Airlines and AnadoluJet flight (including flights departing Türkiye and arriving TRNC) departing Türkiye between June 11 and October 31, 2022 (included) but the passenger is not accepted by the destination country and/or is COVID-19 positive.
• The passenger departs Türkiye, has a connecting international flight and is prevented from flying due to country-specific restrictions or tests requested by the country authorities
• The passenger is permitted to board the flight even though the obligation to take a PCR test or other tests specified by the authorities of the first point of departure are not fulfilled and the results are not submitted or if the PCR test expired due to stopover, delay and similar reasons and/or if the passenger is not permitted to board the connecting flights at Istanbul Airport (IST), Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) and Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) transfer points due to country-specifif restrictions (including TRNC flights)
• Pcr test submission is the responsibility of the passenger and our passengers who cannot submit at the first exit point will not be able to benefit from this publication.

Ticket change, changing a ticket to an open ticket and refund transactions can be completed once in accordance with the terms and conditions of the flight and regardless of the fare rules.
Which means the tickets should be refunded, right?
Regardless, me and my older sister tested positive 4-5 days later after my other sister's onset of symptoms.
I am getting non-answers from Turkish Airlines for the past week and they are delaying the refund for no reason.
They first stated the initial PCR submission was not done by the hospital so they are unable to issue it. I requested them to direct me where in the above terms was there any mention of having the PCR test done in a hospital setting. They were unable to so, and sent an email stating that a doctor's signature must be present as well as the name of the hospital in which the test was administered. I insisted no one was hospitalized due to COVID and there will not be a hospital's name on it.
Secondly, I was told that I must pay even though it states (again) in their terms refund transactions can be completed in accordance with the terms and conditions regardless of the fare rules.
So, I have proof of all PCR testing done through CVS Pharmacy and the county government for one passenger and I have proof of CDC guidelines stating to not travel within ten days of the onset of COVID symptoms.
What is everyone's thoughts about this and do you think there is a way to speed up the process for a refund or should I hire a lawyer to get back my 4500. I know it may not seem like a lot, but it is for me so I am willing to hire someone if I can get my money back.
*Also I apologize in advance if I incorrectly labeled this as business law. I am a pre-med major so very unfamiliar with these waters.

Operation Get Littles Vaccinated is a go!! Here's what I've heard so far, please add or correct information!!
As of 2022-06-21, Vaccines.gov has been updated to include places that have reported they have stock of the pediatric vaccines. There are still places below that aren't on vaccines.gov, so check both!
Especially if you call and get an appointment, to help other folks, ask and report back:

• What's the youngest age they will vaccinate?
• Do they have both vaccine brands or only one?
• (If applicable) Do you need to be a current patient or will they vaccinate anyone?

Relevant twitter threads

• @yannotam has crowdsourced vaccination providers across the country - see bit.ly/vaxunder5-map and bit.ly/vaxunder5-data
• @dave_andersen has been keeping up on Pittsburgh area locations

Providers

Roughly in order of most information available to least:

• Allegheny Health Department - now booking for mid July (as of 2022-06-21) at their clinic Hartley-Rose Building, 425 First Ave., 4th Fl, 15219. Call 412-578-8062 for an appointment, no walk-ins right now. They told me they have ordered both brands. No minimum age!
• Pitt CoVax - will do 3+. No Pitt affiliation needed! They have both brands with lots of appointments available, and also say they take walk-ins. They validate parking in the Soldiers and Sailors garage. The online scheduling system doesn't have pediatric vaccines in the drop-down yet, but they have said to pick whichever brand you want and they'll use the proper dose when you get there. Also note their system assigns you a username that's not your email address (I got so confused!)
• Walgreens will vaccinate ages 3+ starting on Sat June 25. Locations are either Pfizer or Moderna; most locations in WPA seem to be Pfizer.
• Rite Aid - will vaccinate ages 3+ starting on Fri June 24 (it still says 5yo+ but will let you put in a 3yo+ birthday). Looks like only Pfizer for now.
• Allergist & Clinical Immunology Associates - Call their South Hills - 412-833-8811 or Washington - 724-228-7710 locations for an appointment on Tuesdays. Moderna.
• CVS minute clinics can do 18mo+. I'm seeing Pfizer appointments available at a few locations in the region as of 2022-06-22.
• UPMC CCP locations - as of 2022-06-22, some CCP offices are scheduling with Moderna at least. Call your office. Only current patients
• UPMC Childrens is doing clinics for Moderna 6mo+ on Wed June 29 and Wed July 6. Scheduling starts 2022-06-23 at https://vaccine.upmc.com
• Kids Plus Pediatrics: Only current patients. 7 clinics across their 3 locations, both brands.
• East Suburban Pediatrics, offices in Murrysville, Monroeville, and Norwin. Pfizer only, likely no minimum age, likely only current patients. Please comment if you hear differently!
• Squirrel Hill Health Center (SHHC) has vaccines arriving 2022-06-22. Vaccines.gov says they have Moderna in stock as of 2022-06-22. Only current patients
• Wal-Mart will do 3+. As of 2022-06-21, I see Pfizer Pediatric appointments available at West Mifflin starting today. I tried calling to confirm but got disconnected. Please comment if you hear differently!
• Sharbaugh’s Drugstore 2073 Plank Rd, Carrolltown, PA 15722 (814-344-9950) will do 3+. Has Moderna but doesn't like opening vials unless they're sure they're going to get 5 kids
• Metro Community Health Center has vaccines arriving soon (Vaccines.gov says they have Moderna in stock 2022-06-22) and said to call back early the week of 2022-06-27 or check online at that time to schedule Unclear if current patients only, please comment if you find out!

Providers that vaccinated 5-11yo without info for <5 yet

• AHN Pediatrics Alliance: Only current patients. Has "6mo - 4yr" as an eligible age in their quiz, talks about both brands, but does not have supply as of 2022-06-21. Pediatric Alliance Greentree will only have Pfizer, call on Thurs 2022-06-23.
• Giant Eagle will be 3+ only, no scheduling yet
• Hieber's Pharmacy
• Hilltop Pharmacy
• Falk Pharmacy
• Mainline Pharmacy
  
• Costco
  
• Shop n Save
  

Providers that vaccinated 5-11yo that have no plans for <5

• JCC clinics - no plans to vaccinate <5s as of 2022-06-21
• Wilson's Pharmacy - no plans to vaccinate <5s yet as of 2022-06-21

Edit at the top: This crowdsourced site has a pretty comprehensive list
VDH has approved the CDC and FDA authorizations for both Moderna and Pfizer for 6mo-5yo. Nice VDH chart here showing eligible ages and intervals (Note Moderna is "fully vaccinated" at 28 days, Pfizer is 2 shots 21 days + third at 8 weeks (total of 77 days to be "fully vaccinated"): so your kid even if starting Pfizer on Day 1 (6/21/22), will not be possibly "Fully vaccinated" on 9/6, FCPS starts on 8/22.
https://preview.redd.it/d94jxnug2l691.png?width=1411&format=png&auto=webp&s=7e6df5078f7c58e6692cdaa19504c9298f6161a2
Trying to track below but definitely not a comprehensive list, so please post if you find to share.
Offering availability:

• https://www.vaccines.gov/
• Vaccinate.virginia.gov
• FCHD(Govt center)

Update as of 6/21/22:
"Vaccinations at Fairfax County Health Department sites are available starting on Tuesday, June 21. Appointments are not required. Only Moderna will be available for the youngest population upon opening hours, but Pfizer will be delivered and is expected to be available after noon at the following sites:

• Fairfax County Government Center
• Fairfax County South County Hyland Center "
• Walgreens
• Gainesville Pharmacy ( u/jyank )
• CVS

No update yet:

• Safeway
• Giant
• Kaiser Permanente
• Wegmans
• My Neighbor Pharmacy
• Inova

Note: Please don't bother replying if you are anti-vax, you can do that elsewhere.

Hello, I am researching stuff so I am prepared (don't have reason to believe I have covid right now).
With the very narrow Paxlovid 5 day window it seems it would be best to always get the fastest PCR you can since antigen tests don't detect in the first few days and lab PCRs can have delayed results, but I don't see discussion or advertising of same day PCR oddly. It almost always shows up in my searches under travel testing for a fee. I see lots of articles on how difficult it is for people to get Paxlovid due to the test/results/see provider and get scrip process which can go past the 5 days, but I never see articles on how to get a rapid PCR to avoid all that mess.
It has been difficult for me to find info on where to get a same-day or rapid PCR test around here. I hear stories of people elsewhere getting them. Searching for "rapid" or "same day" etc tends to bring up info on antigen tests, or tests whose type is not named.
I notice on the CVS site it says
https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing/?icid=coronavirus-lp-testing-scheduletest
"Testing for travel?" and lists lab test (PCR) and rapid-result (PCR).
"Feeling sick?" and lists lab test (and optional flu test) and antigen test.
Does this mean you can't get a same day PCR at CVS unless it is for travel (and you thus pay up front instead of it being paid by insurance/government) ? That seems odd. It appears Walgreens is offering them under the name "Rapid NAAT" for "free" for diagnosis, not just travel.
If I try scheduling a Minute Clinic "with provider visit" it just lists Antigen. If I try to schedule just "Rapid test" it says "PCR and antigen" (not sure how you know what you're getting) but the map goes blank with no locations shown at all, as if there no locations offering rapid. This is true even if I try different states like California and New York. Is CVS getting out of the rapid test business altogether?
Update: I got what Walgreens calls a "rapid NAAT" today. Basically an isothermal nucleic acid amplification test called ID Now by Abbott. Molecular like PCR but slightly less accurate. Got results in two hours. Insurance paid for it.

I'm pretty frustrated about the recent crackdown on stimulants prescribed via telehealth for the treatment of ADHD. I understand stimulants can be addictive and come with risks. I do believe there should be appropriate regulations to ensure medications are prescribed thoughtfully. But that's not what's happening - instead its just blanket bans.
Walmart and CVS are blocking telehealth prescriptions.
Truepill and Cerebral will stop prescribing or filling prescriptions.
The primary reasons cited by the investigation are the increase in new diagnoses/prescriptions during the pandemic, and the prevalence of ADHD-related content on social media platforms like Tiktok and Instagram.
But its a known fact that the pandemic amplified mental health issues.
Its also a known fact that women have been chronically underdiagnosed for ADD/ADHD.
Preventing telehealth providers from prescribing to their patients will leave many uninsured or underinsured people without access to medication. It will also put many women (and others diagnosed during the pandemic) in the challenging situation of convincing another provider that their diagnosis was legitimate. For women, who often exhibit less obvious symptoms of ADHD because they cope and mask differently than men, this will create an uphill battle. Many prescribers, as a result of this media coverage, may be likely to challenge existing diagnoses and hesitant to fill prescriptions. They may perceive and treat new patients as drug-seeking addicts for their legitimate medical concerns.
Its really unfortunate that the situation is being handled this way. I feel like the DEA/DOJ/media are invalidating my personal experience as a woman with a clear and obvious history of ADHD since childhood, who desperately needed treatment my entire life and never received it, who had to reach a point of complete and total desperation during the pandemic in order to finally find the care I had needed for a lifetime.
In my opinion, Cerebral, Ahead and other telehealth providers represented a big step forward for getting people (and especially women) the mental healthcare they needed, and this latest development will move us all two steps back.

Krystal and Saagar discussed it, and I am grateful for them informing us. This article has even more specifics, but genuinely the situation seems terrible. FDA does not baby formula killing babies. Abbott Nutrition does not want that. But we are in danger of a substantial degree of infant malnutrition if we do not find a fix soon.

Babies and their well-being have never been much of a priority in the United States. But an alarming shortage of infant formula — and the lack of a national mobilization to keep babies fed — provides a new measure of how deeply that indifference runs.
Formula has been in short supply since the early days of the covid-19 pandemic. Back then, customers who could afford it stockpiled formula to limit their trips outside. A manufacturing and delivery cycle that takes between 12 and 16 weeks from start to finish didn’t keep pace. Freight delays held up crucial ingredients. Like many other industries, formula manufacturers struggled with labor shortages. And as 2021 turned into 2022, a spate of severe winter storms slowed deliveries of products to store shelves.
The worst blow came in February, when Abbott Nutrition recalled formula made in its Sturgis, Mich., plant. Two babies who drank formula from the plant died of bacterial infections, and others were hospitalized. Although bacteria wasn’t found in the samples they drank, Abbott announced the recall as a precaution.
For Abbott to face such a shutdown is significant, given the role it plays in the highly concentrated U.S. formula market. In 2008, three companies made 98 percent of the formula Americans bought; Abbott alone accounted for 43 percent of the market.
On Feb. 28, Abbott widened its voluntary recall. Supply problems have only worsened since then.
According to the retail analysis firm Datasembly, starting the week of April 24, the amount of formula available on shelves was 40 percent below normal inventory levels, up from 31 percent three weeks prior and 11 percent in November. In several states, there is half as much formula on shelves as customers would normally expect. (Other analyses are less dire, but still point to a substantial shortage.)
To add insult to the injury being done to babies and their frantic parents, news came in late April that a whistleblower had contacted the Food and Drug Administration with concerns about Abbott’s Sturgis plant in October 2021 — and that the FDA hadn’t interviewed the whistleblower until December, or inspected the plant until January.
This isn’t a matter of families being unable to find their preferred brand of pureed peas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 84 percent of babies are breastfed at some point in their lives. But almost three-quarters of U.S. infants will eat some formula by the time they’re 6 months old. Even babies who breastfeed successfully might need extra help in the beginning: 19 percent of these babies eat formula in their first two days of life as their mothers’ milk comes in.
For families with unfussy little eaters, a shortage of one product might be a mere annoyance. But for those who receive aid from the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children — which limits recipients to a few brands of formula, and for which Abbott is a major contract-holder — the situation is considerably more difficult. Circumstances are even more dire for babies (and older children and adults with feeding tubes) whose life-threatening allergies or metabolic issues mean they can tolerate only certain formulas.
Brian Dittmeier, senior director of public policy at the National WIC Association, said he has heard of families starting solids earlier than they would prefer, turning to risky recipes for homemade formula, or diluting formula to make it last longer even though it might not provide the nutrition babies need. Some parents, he said, are even feeding recalled formula to their children despite the risks, because it’s the only age-appropriate food they have available.
It’s a disgrace that parents have been forced to make these wrenching choices. When we spoke in early May, Dittmeier said he hoped more formula would be available within weeks. But in the interim, it’s shocking how few suggestions formula manufacturers and government agencies have offered to help desperate families.
Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D-Conn.), chair of the House Appropriations Committee and the person who revealed the whistleblower report, sounded a note of fury when I asked her what should be done.
“Parents shouldn’t have to pay a price because Abbott has a contaminated product,” DeLauro said, adding that there had to be a way to induce other formula manufacturers to get products onto shelves more rapidly. She also invoked the possibility of using the Defense Production Act to get more formula in the pipeline: “If there was a shortage, why weren’t we in the business of making sure that wasn’t happening? What did we do in times of crisis in the second World War, and so forth? We produced what we needed to produce.”
A spokeswoman from Abbott Nutrition declined to answer questions about what might help the company increase production dramatically and quickly, as did a spokeswoman for Danone, which makes formula brands including Neocate, one of the products for babies with severe allergies.
Robert Rankin, executive director of the Infant Nutrition Council of America, the trade association of formula manufacturers, including Abbott, said his member companies were “increasing production at individual facilities; making use of global manufacturing networks; and identifying alternative methods for shipping product, including airfreight, to help mitigate shipping delays.” He did not say whether or how the government could help.
That’s a shame. If ever there was a moment for private companies to ask federal agencies for immediate assistance, this is it.
When I floated the idea, DeLauro said she’d be willing to look into whether infant formula should be included in the Strategic National Stockpile. She also said she plans to work with the Appropriations Committee’s agriculture subcommittee to hold hearings on the formula shortage.
Both she and Dittmeier said that in the long term, it would be worth revisiting the policies that leave families who receive public assistance reliant on certain brands — although Dittmeier pointed out that it might be hard to get manufacturers to bid on contracts without the promise that they would become the sole supplier for an entire state.
Another potential solution to avoid future shortages, suggested to me by the office of Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), whose constituents include the families of the two babies who died, would be for the FDA to adopt the sort of monitoring system for formula that an agency task force recommended in 2019 to forestall prescription drug shortages. Federal data collection about supply-chain issues, whether a lack of aluminum for packaging or spiking prices of ingredients such as vegetable oil, could theoretically be used to get ahead of shortages before they kick in. The FDA asked for the authority to do this in its fiscal 2022 budget request, released in March.
But none of this will help parents who need to feed their children now, and who are spending days driving to multiple stores or obsessively monitoring online stock alerts.
“The manufacturers aggressively pursued this market,” Dittmeier said. They’re in the hospitals, they’re in the maternity wards, they’re sending samples. They built a customer base. But what happens when they can’t provide the supply?”
We’re on the verge of finding out. The consequences could be awful for babies and terrifying for parents, who are getting a clear message from this crisis: You’re on your own.

article

Novabay Pharmaceuticals $NBY
TL;DR
Sales and revenues are rapidly approaching break even, and the balance sheet is otherwise strong. The Company recently acquired Derma Doctor, which gives them 30 more products to sell in addition to its signature product, Avenova. Avenova’s annual revenues (about $6 million and growing) alone are greater than 1/3 of the current market cap. The Derma Doctor purchase of 12-15 million indicates a value that far exceeds NBY’s current low market cap of about $15 million when added to existing product sales. NBY is growing its online sales metrics, and has engaged a Chinese marketing firm to expand into the Chinese market on TMall.com with the Derma Doctor website and products. This is not a $1 Billion company, but it can fairly rapidly become a $100 million company due to its numerous fda approved products and growing online engagement.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NBY BASICS:
Market Cap approximately $15 Million
- Eyecare & Skincare company. See Novabay.com
- Signature Product: Avenova: FDA approved, over the counter eye/eyelash spray. Amazon reviews of the product are extremely positive. 10,440 ratings, over 70% 5 Stars, 14% 4 Stars. Used to treat conditions including: Dry Eye, Blepharitis, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, Contact Lens Intolerance and Inflammation. Read the reviews for yourself. Many more people are satisfied than dissatisfied.
- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q1DVG7S?pd_rd_i=B07Q1DVG7S&pd_rd_w=zF4dU&pf_rd_p=cc7afcc5-25bd-41a6-9934-4067a293ee62&pd_rd_wg=arRdG&pf_rd_r=H21YX5736XFPQ4G6V548&pd_rd_r=5340b7fe-6751-4d01-a5d6-ba0a5f2c462e
- Can also be found on shelves in CVS stores but the company is focusing on direct to consumer with increasing sales and revenues. It is also available on Avenova.com as well as DermaDoctor.com, which is discussed further below.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
DERMA DOCTOR ACQUISITION CLOSED 11/8/21:
- https://www.dermadoctor.com
- Immediately accretive to NBY’s earnings.
- 30+ Skincare products, including acne care.
- website (link is above) has a smooth, user-friendly interface.
- products are also marketed through Macys, QVC, and Costco.
- https://novabay.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Investor-Presentation-1.4.22-Final.pdf
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
CEO Letter to Shareholders 11/18/21
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/novabay-pharmaceuticals-ceo-issues-letter-115000452.html
Read it for yourself, but here are some of the key takeaways:
- NBY’s revenue expected to double, possibly up to $20 million by Q4 2022.
- NYSE listing requirements are all satisfied, no risk of delisting (No $1 dollar requirement like Nasdaq)
- CEO projects that no additional financing or dilution will be necessary to achieve break even.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
EXPANSION INTO CHINESE MARKETS 2/23/22:
TMall.com is massive in the Chinese market. Per the article below “The management of the DERMAdoctor flagship retail store on Tmall.com will be assumed by NovaBay’s newly engaged marketing partner beginning on March 1, 2022.”
https://realmoney.thestreet.com/articles/08/23/2018/alibabas-tmall.com-reigns-king-chinese-e-commerce
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220223005019/en/NovaBay-Pharmaceuticals-Engages-Leading-Chinese-Marketing-Firm-to-Drive-Consumer-Sales-of-DERMAdoctor-Skincare-Products-in-China
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
BASIC FINANCES AS OF 9/30/21:
- Revenue ttm $7.67 Million
- Total Cash: $9.03 Million
- Debt: $196,000
- Operating Cash Flow ttm: Minus $6.32 Million
- Earnings on March 24th. The Derma Doctor acquisition closed in November 2021, so it’s possible that those additional revenues could appear on the upcoming earnings. They will not be profitable in these upcoming earnings, but I would expect higher revenues, significantly higher if they began collecting Derma Doctor revenues in November.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEGATIVES:
- Additional financing or dilution may be needed if CEO’s 2022 projections are incorrect and breakeven cannot be achieved.
- Share price is near the 52-week low. Earnings could see one more push down whether they beat expectations or not.
- Q3 2021 earnings appeared to show a small YOY decline in revenues, but that’s simply because Novabay was selling PPE during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic, but is no longer marketing those products. Main product Avenova continues to grow in sales and revenue. $5.22 Million by Q3 2021 compared to $4.5 Million by Q3 2020.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY DID THE SHARE PRICE REACH AN ALL TIME LOW?
For the same reasons as everything else. The Market was in a large bubble in 2021, eventually resulting in massive selloffs in every sector, including and especially small cap pharma. Obviously, the company is not yet cashflow positive, and that would have caused reasonable concerns as well. Add in some tax loss selling to end the year, and the Derma Doctor acquisition couldn’t generate enough positive sentiment to outweigh the bloodshed in the market.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONCLUSION
The company appears to have reached rock bottom valuation and clearly has some room to grow with its large catalogue of products and increasing success in direct to consumer marketing. Any share price can fall to zero, but the products/website/pipeline could easily justify $30 to $40 million in a fire sale of the whole company if things take a turn for the worse, which is more than double the current market cap of $15 million.

Novabay Pharmaceuticals $NBY
​
TL;DR
Sales and revenues are rapidly approaching break even, and the balance sheet is otherwise strong. The Company recently acquired Derma Doctor, which gives them 30 more products to sell in addition to its signature product, Avenova. Avenova’s annual revenues (about $6 million and growing) alone are greater than 1/3 of the current market cap. The Derma Doctor purchase of 12-15 million indicates a value that far exceeds NBY’s current low market cap of about $15 million when added to existing product sales. NBY is growing its online sales metrics, and has engaged a Chinese marketing firm to expand into the Chinese market on TMall.com with the Derma Doctor website and products. This is not a $1 Billion company, but it can fairly rapidly become a $100 million company due to its numerous fda approved products and growing online engagement.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NBY BASICS:
Market Cap approximately $15 Million
- Eyecare & Skincare company. See Novabay.com
- Signature Product: Avenova: FDA approved, over the counter eye/eyelash spray. Amazon reviews of the product are extremely positive. 10,440 ratings, over 70% 5 Stars, 14% 4 Stars. Used to treat conditions including: Dry Eye, Blepharitis, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, Contact Lens Intolerance and Inflammation. Read the reviews for yourself. Many more people are satisfied than dissatisfied.
- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q1DVG7S?pd_rd_i=B07Q1DVG7S&pd_rd_w=zF4dU&pf_rd_p=cc7afcc5-25bd-41a6-9934-4067a293ee62&pd_rd_wg=arRdG&pf_rd_r=H21YX5736XFPQ4G6V548&pd_rd_r=5340b7fe-6751-4d01-a5d6-ba0a5f2c462e
- Can also be found on shelves in CVS stores but the company is focusing on direct to consumer with increasing sales and revenues. It is also available on Avenova.com as well as DermaDoctor.com, which is discussed further below.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
DERMA DOCTOR ACQUISITION CLOSED 11/8/21:
- https://www.dermadoctor.com
- Immediately accretive to NBY’s earnings.
- 30+ Skincare products, including acne care.
- website (link is above) has a smooth, user-friendly interface.
- products are also marketed through Macys, QVC, and Costco.
- https://novabay.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Investor-Presentation-1.4.22-Final.pdf
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
CEO Letter to Shareholders 11/18/21
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/novabay-pharmaceuticals-ceo-issues-letter-115000452.html
Read it for yourself, but here are some of the key takeaways:
- NBY’s revenue expected to double, possibly up to $20 million by Q4 2022.
- NYSE listing requirements are all satisfied, no risk of delisting (No $1 dollar requirement like Nasdaq)
- CEO projects that no additional financing or dilution will be necessary to achieve break even.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
EXPANSION INTO CHINESE MARKETS 2/23/22:
TMall.com is massive in the Chinese market. Per the article below “The management of the DERMAdoctor flagship retail store on Tmall.com will be assumed by NovaBay’s newly engaged marketing partner beginning on March 1, 2022.”
https://realmoney.thestreet.com/articles/08/23/2018/alibabas-tmall.com-reigns-king-chinese-e-commerce
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220223005019/en/NovaBay-Pharmaceuticals-Engages-Leading-Chinese-Marketing-Firm-to-Drive-Consumer-Sales-of-DERMAdoctor-Skincare-Products-in-China
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
BASIC FINANCES AS OF 9/30/21:
- Revenue ttm $7.67 Million
- Total Cash: $9.03 Million
- Debt: $196,000
- Operating Cash Flow ttm: Minus $6.32 Million
- Earnings on March 24th. The Derma Doctor acquisition closed in November 2021, so it’s possible that those additional revenues could appear on the upcoming earnings. They will not be profitable in these upcoming earnings, but I would expect higher revenues, significantly higher if they began collecting Derma Doctor revenues in November.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEGATIVES:
- Additional financing or dilution may be needed if CEO’s 2022 projections are incorrect and breakeven cannot be achieved.
- Share price is near the 52-week low. Earnings could see one more push down whether they beat expectations or not.
- Q3 2021 earnings appeared to show a small YOY decline in revenues, but that’s simply because Novabay was selling PPE during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic, but is no longer marketing those products. Main product Avenova continues to grow in sales and revenue. $5.22 Million by Q3 2021 compared to $4.5 Million by Q3 2020.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY DID THE SHARE PRICE REACH AN ALL TIME LOW?
For the same reasons as everything else. The Market was in a large bubble in 2021, eventually resulting in massive selloffs in every sector, including and especially small cap pharma. Obviously, the company is not yet cashflow positive, and that would have caused reasonable concerns as well. Add in some tax loss selling to end the year, and the Derma Doctor acquisition couldn’t generate enough positive sentiment to outweigh the bloodshed in the market.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONCLUSION
The company appears to have reached rock bottom valuation and clearly has some room to grow with its large catalogue of products and increasing success in direct to consumer marketing. Any share price can fall to zero, but the products/website/pipeline could easily justify $30 to $40 million in a fire sale of the whole company if things take a turn for the worse, which is more than double the current market cap of $15 million.

TLDR at bottom. NY, NY.
Trying to take advantage of the at home covid tests covered by insurance deal, I went to my local (in network) CVS pharmacy counter to inquire about getting 2 kits for myself (2 tests per kit for a total of 4 tests). They said they weren't doing them at the pharmacy yet, I had to go purchase them myself at the front register. Note this was on Jan 28, after the effective date of Jan 15.
According to the gov't requirement and my insurance company website, it is fine to purchase them myself and submit for reimbursement. Prior to purchasing, I went on my insurance website, selected my plan, and followed the only information provided "Members are covered for two test kits per week (one kit may contain two tests). Make sure to keep your receipt. Only FDA-authorized OTC at-home COVID-19 tests are covered."
I follow that link which brings me to a FDA website, search for Binax, and the one they have at CVS comes up on the list (BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test as authorized for Home, H, M, W) so I am now assuming that means these tests are ok to buy and eligible for reimbursement. I needed them so I bought 2 Binax kits (2 test per kit) for $24 each, $48 total.
Now when I tried to submit the receipt for reimbursement to the insurance co, I am redirected to a rep at CVS caremark (pharmacy benefits) who tells me "oh no, you can only get reimbursement for Flowflex or Inteliswab brands and you only get $12 per kit" which also contradicts what is printed on the FAQ section of the CVS page.
So friends, which info takes precedence? That which is listed online or what the rep says on the phone?
tldr; Bought 2 at home covid test kits out of pocket per the instructions of my insurance company. Now being told that it is a pharmacy benefit and CVS caremark only covers 2 brands of test (not the extensive list of brands I was originally directed to) at $12 per kit, not per test. So I'm out $48. Is this worth an argument/appeal or no?

https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/where-to-get-free-n95-masks-in-central-iowa-near-me-from-government-walgreens-cvs-hy-vee-des-moines-area/524-15775a5c-4965-4446-8320-78019b285243

The OP in this thread will list a few options and resources for obtaining free testing, but seeing as the demand is currently so high for COVID testing, many are looking for places they can purchase a test kit ASAP.
If you have a tip for finding a quick appointment or for obtaining an at-home testing kit, please feel free to share it here to make the search easier for other members of the community.
If you are coming to this thread to find a test, please make note that testing appointments or supplies of testing kits may go quickly due to high demand, so a recent post making note of testing availability may be more reliable than one a few days old.

PCR Testing Options

PCR testing is considered the gold-standard for COVID-19 testing. Tests vary in turn around time with some locations promising same-day results and others taking 48-72 hours for a test result.
Test & Protect List of No Cost PCR Test Providers

• The Test & Protect program which operated it's own COVID testing sites has come to a conclusion, but the program has collated a list of providers in the Greater Cincinnati area
• This link contains links that redirect you to online portals for each test provider.

Ethos Labs operated Drive-Thru Testing Locations @ local Crossroads Church locations

• Drive-Thru testing is available at Crossroads' Mason, Florence, and West Side locations.
  
• Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Fri.
  

Gravity Diagnostics Drive-Thru Testing Locations

• Gravity locations are currently facing extremely high demand right now (as they were one of the best-known options prior to this wave. Due to high demand wait times can be longer and results that used to be same-day are now taking a few days to get back to you.

Testing and Community Health Centers - Ohio Department of Health

• This page provides a map of testing locations and can be helpful to find a location near you if you live in Soutwestern Ohio.
• Complete with Addresses, Hours of Operation, Site phone numbers, and website links

Where to find At-Home Testing Kits

At home antigen testing kits are slightly less accurate than PCR testing, but they are a great option for screening before gatherings or using in a pinch for a quick answer while lines at PCR locations are long. To learn more about at-home kits, you can read more here.
The federal government is now providing four free at-home antigen test kits per household, shipped directly to your door.

• To take advantage of this offer, visit https://www.covidtests.gov/ - orders are billed as shipping within 7 to 12 days, so order now to be prepared when you need them. If you need a test immediately you may want to pursue other options. You can read about how to get those tests reimbursed through you insurance via the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Testing kits are provided for free at select locations in the Cincinnati Area while supplies last. Calling ahead to confirm availability is recommended:

• Cincinnati and Hamilton County Library branch locations - Phone #: (513) 369-6900 - (Libraries are tapped out atm and not expecting shipments from the state so it's best to look elsewhere for the moment)
  
• Select YMCA locations - Phone #: (513) 604-3663
  
• Hamilton County Public Health Board of Elections Vaccine Site: 2300 Wall St., Cincinnati, OH 45212; Open Monday thru Friday 10 am–5 pm
  

Your local pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, etc) also carry at-home tests at a nominal price (usually around $10 per test). Again, supplies are limited and many locations have run out of testings kits in recent days, so community members - please share where you were able to find kits here.

My at-home rapid test is positive, now what?

Well, get in touch with your doctor or consult a doctor to determine steps of care for yourself and those you cohabitate with. Take care of yourself, contact loved ones who can help you, isolate, etc. Follow your doctors directions.
An important step you can take to help public health officials in our area is to report your positive result. If your at-home test was proctored (monitored by another human being via app/browser) it will be reported for you. If your at-home test had no human being on the other side of a screen - just you and your family/roomate(s) - you should report that result so local public health officials have better data on our local situation. This WVXU story can guide you on the correct procedure to do so.

How to get a high-quality mask

If you can't afford to take a week off work, or you have frequent contact with loved ones or friends who are high-risk, it's worth it to ditch any old cloth masks you have in favor of a better mask. Surgical masks and N-95s are no longer scarce and you're well served investing a small amount of cash into a few respirator masks. The above links are to Project N95, where you can buy PPE, but you can also find high-quality masks at retail outlets these days.

Fwiw, here's the list I've got:
From the healthcare industry:

• /emergencymedicine
  
• /ems
  
• /medicine
  
• /medlabprofessionals
  
• /nursing
  
• /pharmacy
  
• /residency
  
• /respiratorytherapy
  
• /socialwork
  

From the education industry:

• /teachers
  
• /teachertales
  
• /substituteteachers
  
• /leavingteaching - small subreddit
  
• /teacherreality - small subreddit
  
• /gigteachers - small subreddit
  
• /professors
  
• /gradschool
  

From other publically-funded services:

• /Librarians
  
• /Libraries
  

From the retail, logistics and food service industries:

• /TalesFromRetail
  
• /RantsFromRetail
  
• /TalesFromTheCustomer
  
• /CVS
  
• /dollargeneral
  
• /Kroger
  
• /Publix
  
• /Target
  
• /Walmart
  
• /WholeFoods
  
• /TalesFromFastFood
  
• /TalesFromYourServer
  
• /Dominos
  
• /Starbucks
  
• /AmazonFC
  
• /Truckers
  

Personal experiences:

• /landlordlove
  
• /almosthomeless
  
• /homeless
  
• /urbancarliving
  
• /vagabond
  
• /Parenting
  
• /auntienetwork
  
• /qanoncasualties
  
• /antiwork - most people know about it and figure that it has a low quality due to too many memes, karma-farming etc but I'll include it anyway since it has some testimony posts.
  
• /povertyfinance - small subreddit
  
• /studentloans
  
• /studentloandefaulters
  

Misc industry subreddits:

• /supplychain
  
• /callcentres
  
• /talesfromcallcenters
  
• /weddingplanning
  

Disease and disability:

nothing so far

Coronavirus:

• /coronavirussupport
  
• /covidlonghaulers
  
• /covidpositive
  
• /covid19positive
  
• /covid19_support
  
• /HermanCainAward
  
• /pandemicpreps - small subreddit
  

Society in general:

• /prepperintel
  
• /shortages
  

I'd appreciate it if people could reply with suggestions for improving this list, and in the mean time, here's all of the above mixed into a multireddit for ease of doomscrolling.

The OP in this thread will list a few options and resources for obtaining free testing, but seeing as the demand is currently so high for COVID testing, many are looking for places they can purchase a test kit ASAP.
If you have a tip for finding a quick appointment or for obtaining an at-home testing kit, please feel free to share it here to make the search easier for other members of the community.
If you are coming to this thread to find a test, please make note that testing appointments or supplies of testing kits may go quickly due to high demand, so a recent post making note of testing availability may be more reliable than one a few days old.

PCR Testing Options

PCR testing is considered the gold-standard for COVID-19 testing. Tests vary in turn around time with some locations promising same-day results and others taking 48-72 hours for a test result.
Test & Protect List of No Cost PCR Test Providers

• The Test & Protect program which operated it's own COVID testing sites has come to a conclusion, but the program has collated a list of providers in the Greater Cincinnati area
• This link contains links that redirect you to online portals for each test provider.

Ethos Labs operated Drive-Thru Testing Locations @ local Crossroads Church locations

• Drive-Thru testing is available at Crossroads' Mason, Florence, and West Side locations.
  
• Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Fri.
  

Gravity Diagnostics Drive-Thru Testing Locations

• Gravity locations are currently facing extremely high demand right now (as they were one of the best-known options prior to this wave. Due to high demand wait times can be longer and results that used to be same-day are now taking a few days to get back to you.

Testing and Community Health Centers - Ohio Department of Health

• This page provides a map of testing locations and can be helpful to find a location near you if you live in Soutwestern Ohio.
• Complete with Addresses, Hours of Operation, Site phone numbers, and website links

Where to find At-Home Testing Kits

At home antigen testing kits are slightly less accurate than PCR testing, but they are a great option for screening before gatherings or using in a pinch for a quick answer while lines at PCR locations are long. To learn more about at-home kits, you can read more here.
Testing kits are provided for free at select locations in the Cincinnati Area while supplies last. Calling ahead to confirm availability is recommended:

• Cincinnati and Hamilton County Library branch locations - Phone #: (513) 369-6900 - (Libraries are tapped out atm and not expecting shipments from the state so it's best to look elsewhere for the moment)
  
• Select YMCA locations - Phone #: (513) 604-3663
  
• Hamilton County Public Health Board of Elections Vaccine Site: 2300 Wall St., Cincinnati, OH 45212; Open Monday thru Friday 10 am–5 pm
  

Your local pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, etc) also carry at-home tests at a nominal price (usually around $10 per test). Again, supplies are limited and many locations have run out of testings kits in recent days, so community members - please share where you were able to find kits here.

My at-home rapid test is positive, now what?

Well, get in touch with your doctor or consult a doctor to determine steps of care for yourself and those you cohabitate with. Take care of yourself, contact loved ones who can help you, isolate, etc. Follow your doctors directions.
An important step you can take to help public health officials in our area is to report your positive result. If your at-home test was proctored (monitored by another human being via app/browser) it will be reported for you. If your at-home test had no human being on the other side of a screen - just you and your family/roomate(s) - you should report that result so local public health officials have better data on our local situation. This WVXU story can guide you on the correct procedure to do so.

How to get a high-quality mask

If you can't afford to take a week off work, or you have frequent contact with loved ones or friends who are high-risk, it's worth it to ditch any old cloth masks you have in favor of a better mask. Surgical masks and N-95s are no longer scarce and you're well served investing a small amount of cash into a few respirator masks. The above links are to Project N95, where you can buy PPE, but you can also find high-quality masks at retail outlets these days.