Thread (1/7): So I tried to get tested for #COVID19. Really. I have no symptoms, but wanted to be sure.
I got off a flight from Amsterdam yesterday at 0100, and took a cab straight to Kasturba Hospital in #Mumbai, the only authorized #coronavirus test center in the city.
I got off a flight from Amsterdam yesterday at 0100, and took a cab straight to Kasturba Hospital in #Mumbai, the only authorized #coronavirus test center in the city.
(2/7) They said it was open 24 by 7. I thought it'd be bustling.
It was dark & deserted. After some looking, found a counter where I paid Rs. 10 to a gent for an appointment, and walked over to the OPD where a doctor woke up, put on a mask, and talked to me.
It was dark & deserted. After some looking, found a counter where I paid Rs. 10 to a gent for an appointment, and walked over to the OPD where a doctor woke up, put on a mask, and talked to me.
(3/7) He asked me what I wanted. I said "to be tested for #Corona virus". He asked if I had any symptoms. I said no, but I wanted to be sure.
I had my luggage with me, so he asked me where I was coming from. I said "#Netherlands".
I had my luggage with me, so he asked me where I was coming from. I said "#Netherlands".
(4/7) And he said "Sorry, we can't test you". I asked why - and he said "Only if you're coming from this list of 12 countries AND if you have symptoms, can we test you"
I asked again. "You mean if I have symptoms, but have not traveled...?" He was clear "Then we can't test you"
I asked again. "You mean if I have symptoms, but have not traveled...?" He was clear "Then we can't test you"
(5/7) "And if I've traveled from any of these 12 countries and don't have symptoms? He was clear again "Then we can't test you".
He repeated "Only if you've come from these places AND you have symptoms can we test you"
I thought maybe they didn't want wasteful expenditure.
He repeated "Only if you've come from these places AND you have symptoms can we test you"
I thought maybe they didn't want wasteful expenditure.
(6/7) I tried again. "Look, I'm happy to pay for the test. I want to be sure I'm not a carrier. Can you please take my sample and I can come for the result later?
"No" he said. "The only way is to admit you, then give you the test. You stay here for the days till results come."
"No" he said. "The only way is to admit you, then give you the test. You stay here for the days till results come."
(7/7) He reiterated "I can't give you the test."
It was 0230 by now, and I gave up. Called a cab, went home.
One thing I know for sure. No matter what the announcements, or WhatsApp forwards, our country is not prepared in the least for #CoronaVirusInIndia
It was 0230 by now, and I gave up. Called a cab, went home.
One thing I know for sure. No matter what the announcements, or WhatsApp forwards, our country is not prepared in the least for #CoronaVirusInIndia
(8/7) Whoa. Let's add context.
Why did I go for a test?
I'd read that scanning isn't testing & scans can only say if you have a fever then you may be affected. Scans can't say if you're a carrier, because carriers may not be affected.
Yes, I was scanned at the airport
Why did I go for a test?
I'd read that scanning isn't testing & scans can only say if you have a fever then you may be affected. Scans can't say if you're a carrier, because carriers may not be affected.
Yes, I was scanned at the airport
(9/7) And I have two young children living at home with me.
I'd left before the outbreak grew in India, and now that I was coming back I was trying to make sure I wasn't carrying anything they could catch from me
I'd left before the outbreak grew in India, and now that I was coming back I was trying to make sure I wasn't carrying anything they could catch from me
(10/7) Reading the comments, some part of Twitter University seems to justify complete inaction in these circumstances.
That's okay.
I disagree.
That's okay.
I disagree.
