Unfortunately I am here to tell all of you about the completely avoidable experience I had with this drive through Covid test center.
I visited this testing site yesterday, and upon arrival I had noticed the locked access door portion of the specimen box was left completely open, with completed test bags sticking out of it. The poor customer in front of me in line tried to close the box, but with no success. It was obvious the box had been broken or something like that. No big deal, we'll just tell the attendant and they'll handle it some how..right?
Wrong! When I rolled up to the test window, I questioned the attendant if they were aware that the specimen box was open. As well as if they were aware that the completed tests from over a dozen people potentially carrying a virus that literally shut the world down and has caused countless deaths were hanging out and free to be handled by the public. She said "yes we are aware of it, please just place your test in the box when you're finished" I was uncomfortable with this answer and again asked if there was some way it could be closed to be sure not only for my and every customer after myself's safety, but also to ensure no tests were lost or dropped from the box onto the floor. She informed me that the box had been hit by a car "about an hour earlier" and that it was broken. So, still uncomfortable with the fact that I had to deal with other peoples Covid tests potentially touching/falling on me I asked if they could simply tape it closed. I was again met with "there's nothing we can do, there's someone coming to collect all the tests soon. Just take yours and put it in the box"
I was handed my test kit, and upon completion I waited at the window, when I saw the pharmacist walk by.. I said excuse me and kindly explained what I had just told their attendant about the box. He said "we're aware of it, there's someone coming" I again asked if they could simply tape the box closed until the issue could be dealt with. He replied agitated "listen if I could go back in time to an hour ago and keep a car from hitting it I would, just put your test in and go" Even the pharmacist refused to do anything about the breach of personal security and the risk to public safety caused by his store. He went on to say "there's four cars behind you, we need to get this train moving just put your test in the box and go" "I don't have time for that right now, I promise your test won't blow away or fall out" "cmon, let's go" "I don't have time for this right now"
At this point I was pretty frustrated, and then refused to move forward, thus holding the line of cars until the box was taped closed. Which seems like a pretty reasonable request. I'm sure no one reading this would like to handle someone else's Covid test with absolutely no PPE other than one Lysol wipe.. the pharmacist finally came outside. Stomping his way to the box such as a pre-teen would do when having to do something with mom or dad.. then with extreme animation slammed the door closed on the box, aggressively slapped 6-7 pieces of tape on there.. looked me in the eye and gave me a very sarcastic thumbs up. Which I know was more of a f@&$ you.
All in all, I'm not a person to stir the pot, however something like this, in a time like this, and the time it takes to actually correct the issue... seems pretty reasonable to be ticked off at. The box should have been taped closed immediately after the accident. It literally would have taken 2 minutes to do, and it did! Even with all the extra animation and slamming and banging.. it took about 45 seconds. Stuff happens, and it sucks that the box was damaged in the first place but as a business, dealing with something at this level of risk there should have been a protocol in place. read more