My turn—visitors from out of state

[MEmama]

My BFF from Ohio is coming to my state with her family later this week. They have a lakeside cottage an hour up the coast from us, and have made this trip every year since all her kids were old enough. Her oldest and my DS have known each other literally all their lives and look forward to this annual visit every year. It’s a highlight of summer for all of us.
 

My state mandates that all visitors (save from a few Northeastern states that are doing well) must either test negative within 72 hours before coming, or otherwise quarantine for 2 weeks (longer than they will be here). I’ve asked her if they’ve had their tests but haven’t heard back yet. Is it easy to get tests in Ohio? Are the wait times long, and will they need to pay out of pocket? They are still difficult to get here without due cause, but I keep reading that some states make it easy. 
 

DS is beyond excited to see them. We'll choose days to visit when the weather is good so we shouldn’t need to spend much time inside. Mostly we hang out on the dock while the kids swim or kayak, or they go out tubing with the powerboat. We can distance, but realistically only to a certain extent. The kids are really close.

Do I insist we stay outside except to use the bathroom? How worried should I be about quick trips inside? Or about activities like tubing, where the kids are crammed together and screaming and laughing, but of course it’s outside? 
 

They aren’t likely to do much while they are here this year other than stay close to the cottage and make an occasional trip to the general store for blueberry pie. She is very conscientious and will be taking all precautions.

Are there concerns I’m overlooking? This is our single social exception this year and I admit I’m a little apprehensive.

[bibiche]

Didn’t your family have COVID-19 recently?

[MEmama]

9 minutes ago, bibiche said:

Didn’t your family have COVID-19 recently?

My son had Covid toes in May. 

 

[Runningmom80]

It's not easy to get tests in OH any more. We had a couple of weeks of it being easier, but it's more difficult again. 

[bolt.]

My rules for friend visits currently are...

- Outside time only, except for the washroom. (Provide paper towels for the washroom.)

- Disposable dishes or individual packages if sharing food, but having your own food is preferred.

- 6 feet apart unless you are wearing masks.

- If wearing masks (properly!) try for 3 feet, but you can play mostly normally, except definitely no touching one another.

- No games that involve a lot of co-touching the same object repeatedly (ie playing catch) but you can hand things to each other as needed.

In your situation...

I suggest you set up a hand washing station and call everyone to wash each hour, or before eating. Provide a way to wipe objects (like a paddle) between users, or wash hands after any shared-object activities.

For quick trips inside, like to get something, have the people who live there do it. Don't go in together.

Tubing together is an issue. I would either say (a) individual tubing only this year, (b) only members of the same household can tube together, or (c) if they can keep masks on and refrain from screaming it could be possible to have cross-household tube groups, but keep them small, not everyone, nothing crowded.

[bibiche]

11 minutes ago, MEmama said:

My son had Covid toes in May. 

 

It’s a shame that the antibody tests are pretty worthless right now. I would assume that you have all had it, but since you can’t be certain I guess you should take reasonable precautions during your friends’ visit. I completely understand the apprehension.

[katilac]

1 hour ago, MEmama said:

Or about activities like tubing, where the kids are crammed together and screaming and laughing, but of course it’s outside? 

How many kids and what ages? 

Crammed together on a tube screaming and laughing would be a pretty big risk, one of the worst things they could do. Outside doesn't offer that much protection, you're pretty much screaming in each other's faces on a tube, lol. I'd consider just taking tubing off the table for this year, or one by one only.  I wouldn't expect perfect social distancing outside from late teens/young adults, but I'd interven on stuff like four of them piling into a hammock or whatever. 

Inside would depend on cramped vs spacious; you use the word 'cottage' so I'm guessing fairly small. I'm less concerned about bathrooms than many people, so that wouldn't bother me, but I wouldn't let them sit inside playing games in what I picture as a typical cottage or cabin. If they can truly be reliably distant inside, I might allow it to some extent, but I'd go in with the idea of being outside most of the time. If there's no shade, I'd see if I could buy or borrow one of those pop-up shade tents (roof only, open on all sides). If you would usually go for the entire day, I'd try to go half-days more often instead. 

We don't ever wear masks outside, but we do physically distance.  

Edited July 14, 2020 by katilac

[MEmama]

1 hour ago, Runningmom80 said:

It's not easy to get tests in OH any more. We had a couple of weeks of it being easier, but it's more difficult again. 

Thanks. I was afraid of that. 😞 

Do you by chance know if they are expensive?

[MEmama]

1 hour ago, bolt. said:

My rules for friend visits currently are...

- Outside time only, except for the washroom. (Provide paper towels for the washroom.)

- Disposable dishes or individual packages if sharing food, but having your own food is preferred.

- 6 feet apart unless you are wearing masks.

- If wearing masks (properly!) try for 3 feet, but you can play mostly normally, except definitely no touching one another.

- No games that involve a lot of co-touching the same object repeatedly (ie playing catch) but you can hand things to each other as needed.

In your situation...

I suggest you set up a hand washing station and call everyone to wash each hour, or before eating. Provide a way to wipe objects (like a paddle) between users, or wash hands after any shared-object activities.

For quick trips inside, like to get something, have the people who live there do it. Don't go in together.

Tubing together is an issue. I would either say (a) individual tubing only this year, (b) only members of the same household can tube together, or (c) if they can keep masks on and refrain from screaming it could be possible to have cross-household tube groups, but keep them small, not everyone, nothing crowded.

This is a helpful list. Thank you.

Yeah, I think you’re right that the tubing needs to not happen. I think kayaking for the two oldest seems like a better choice. 

[Acadie]

3 minutes ago, MEmama said:

Thanks. I was afraid of that. 😞 

Do you by chance know if they are expensive?

 

I don't know the cost, but our pediatrician did say insurers generally won't pay for testing in the absence of symptoms.

It's definitely harder to get tested in Ohio now, as opposed to a month ago, but they could try their pediatrician, adult primary care, and CVS or Walgreens. One doctor may be willing to test the whole family. Saying you are a caregiver for older adults or children (ie, parents count) can help you get tested. I also wonder if travel to a state that requires testing or quarantine might help them access testing too.

[saraha]

I don't know where in Ohio they are coming from, but there are several counties that have had little impact from the virus. For example, our county has had 62 cases total, 8 hospitalizations total and 1 death that happened in March, none since.

Here is a link that lists the counties individually.

https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/dashboards/overview

Edited July 14, 2020 by saraha

[MEmama]

20 minutes ago, katilac said:

How many kids and what ages? 

Crammed together on a tube screaming and laughing would be a pretty big risk, one of the worst things they could do. Outside doesn't offer that much protection, you're pretty much screaming in each other's faces on a tube, lol. I'd consider just taking tubing off the table for this year, or one by one only.  I wouldn't expect perfect social distancing outside from late teens/young adults, but I'd interven on stuff like four of them piling into a hammock or whatever. 

Inside would depend on cramped vs spacious; you use the word 'cottage' so I'm guessing fairly small. I'm less concerned about bathrooms than many people, so that wouldn't bother me, but I wouldn't let them sit inside playing games in what I picture as a typical cottage or cabin. If they can truly be reliably distant inside, I might allow it to some extent, but I'd go in with the idea of being outside most of the time. If there's no shade, I'd see if I could buy or borrow one of those pop-up shade tents (roof only, open on all sides). If you would usually go for the entire day, I'd try to go half-days more often instead. 

We don't ever wear masks outside, but we do physically distance.  

Total of 5 kids, DS and her four. Ages 10-17. 

I'm sure everyone will understand that tubing is a bad idea. Disappointing, but I think you are right.

It is a very small cottage. Typically we bring our own food and drinks anyway, so not sharing won’t be an issue. Games could happen outside on the dock instead of at the table like usual. Shorter days are a good idea. 
 

 

[KungFuPanda]

I’d skip this year. 

[MEmama]

1 hour ago, bibiche said:

It’s a shame that the antibody tests are pretty worthless right now. I would assume that you have all had it, but since you can’t be certain I guess you should take reasonable precautions during your friends’ visit. I completely understand the apprehension.

Yeah, both the virus testing and antibody tests in our state are unreliable. We just assume that even if we all had it, we are just as susceptible to getting it again. And since it seems DS was infected through me, and I was asymptomatic and so was the likely source, I’m very aware of how easy it is to spread unknowingly. And that regardless of precautions, it can still sneak in. 😞 

[MEmama]

8 minutes ago, Acadie said:

 

I don't know the cost, but our pediatrician did say insurers generally won't pay for testing in the absence of symptoms.

It's definitely harder to get tested in Ohio now, as opposed to a month ago, but they could try their pediatrician, adult primary care, and CVS or Walgreens. One doctor may be willing to test the whole family. Saying you are a caregiver for older adults or children (ie, parents count) can help you get tested. I also wonder if travel to a state that requires testing or quarantine might help them access testing too.

Thanks. I really hope they can get it done; otherwise they really shouldn’t come. 😞 

6 minutes ago, saraha said:

I don't know where in Ohio they are coming from, but there are several counties that have had little impact from the virus.

Here is a link that lists the counties individually.

https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/dashboards/overview

Franklin county. Columbus. 

[Storygirl]

I just got tested this weekend in Ohio at an urgent care. I called, and they had me drive right over and sent a nurse out to my car. I didn't have to pay anything, but they did take my insurance information. The website has this statement:

"The cost for the test is $50, however insurance companies are directed to pay 100% of the cost. Please be advised that an administered COVID-19 test must be accompanied with a medical visit, and there may also be a fee for your office visit, dependent on your insurance coverage."

BUT they say it is taking 5 days to get results, which is not soon enough if your friends are traveling this week.

[saraha]

2 minutes ago, MEmama said:

Thanks. I really hope they can get it done; otherwise they really shouldn’t come. 😞 

Franklin county. Columbus. 

Bummer, that is our hardest hit county.

[MEmama]

2 minutes ago, Storygirl said:

I just got tested this weekend in Ohio at an urgent care. I called, and they had me drive right over and sent a nurse out to my car. I didn't have to pay anything, but they did take my insurance information. The website has this statement:

"The cost for the test is $50, however insurance companies are directed to pay 100% of the cost. Please be advised that an administered COVID-19 test must be accompanied with a medical visit, and there may also be a fee for your office visit, dependent on your insurance coverage."

BUT they say it is taking 5 days to get results, which is not soon enough if your friends are traveling this week.

5 days! Wow. 😞

I hope you are okay! 

[cintinative]

2 minutes ago, MEmama said:

 

Franklin county. Columbus. 

 

Franklin County area is a "hot spot" in Ohio.  I say that with quotes because it is probably nothing compared to a county in FL. But nevertheless, they are being watched by the state closely. Other counties near me that have similar warnings are experiencing longer wait times for testing. A friend waited eight days for her results.  This is all anecdotal though, I have not personally seen something in the media about it yet.

[cintinative]

4 minutes ago, Storygirl said:

I just got tested this weekend in Ohio at an urgent care. I called, and they had me drive right over and sent a nurse out to my car. I didn't have to pay anything, but they did take my insurance information. The website has this statement:

 

BUT they say it is taking 5 days to get results, which is not soon enough if your friends are traveling this week.

 

It took eight days for my friend in Warren County (not a hot spot yet). 

[Storygirl]

7 minutes ago, MEmama said:

Thanks. I really hope they can get it done; otherwise they really shouldn’t come. 😞 

Franklin county. Columbus. 

Franklin county has the worst stats in the state. However, it encompasses both Columbus proper and several outlying suburbs, so cases will still vary, depending upon exactly where they live. You can look up their zip code to see case levels here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GpQ6eFDttu3AJFnoWkOqTkVv4xtOBhjk/view

Also, if they have been working from home, limiting outside activities, etc., their risk is lower than if they have been out and about.

They should be following your state's guidelines and either testing before they come or quarantining when they get there. If they are not, I'm not sure I would agree when you say they are the kind to take all precautions. Are they staying long enough that you could wait two weeks before you see them?

Edited July 14, 2020 by Storygirl

[MEmama]

1 minute ago, saraha said:

Bummer, that is our hardest hit county.

Yeah, I figured. 😞. Currently Maine has one of the lowest numbers in the country and our governor is working hard to keep it that way. 
 

I think my friend would skip this year, hard as it would be, but her DH...well... 😞 

1 minute ago, happysmileylady said:

That's certainly one of the hottest spots in the state.  I imagine it likely is harder to get a test there than in other parts of the state.  Though I suppose depending on how far they are willing to drive, they could probably find someplace where it was easier.

 

That’s a good idea. I’ll let her know she might have better luck outside the city. Although, with the wait times maybe it won’t matter.

 

[Storygirl]

3 minutes ago, MEmama said:

5 days! Wow. 😞

I hope you are okay! 

Thanks! I'm not very sick at all. Normally I would think it's nothing, but I have a slight cough and barely runny nose, and I needed to be sure I can go to DD18's graduation this weekend. If the test takes longer than five days, I won't get the results soon enough and will be in a quandary. I had the test on Saturday but was waffling about taking one a few days before that and now wish that I hadn't delayed at all. I had not realized that testing delays were creeping up, because the urgent care website has "2-3 days" listed as the time frame.

[Runningmom80]

17 minutes ago, happysmileylady said:

This is going to depend on where in Ohio they are at.  I was out looking for a seal for our upright freezer and I passed two separate testing sites on the way.  One was a pop up drive through site, the other was an urgent care place that was advertising for both antibody testing and covid tests.  No order is needed to get a test and when DH did his test prior to his hip surgery, it took a total of an hour and a half, and of that 20 minutes was driving to the testing site.  In my area, getting a test is super easy.

 

(eta: the pop up drive through site I passed had about 8 cars in line)

 

DH's test before his surgery was covered by insurance as part of his pre op testing.  But if it hadn't been, it would have been $65.  

 

Yes, in southern ohio there are more pop up sites. I'm in a hotspot in OH with not pop up sites. 

[MEmama]

11 minutes ago, Storygirl said:

Franklin county has the worst stats in the state. However, it encompasses both Columbus proper and several outlying suburbs, so cases will still vary, depending upon exactly where they live. You can look up their zip code to see case levels here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GpQ6eFDttu3AJFnoWkOqTkVv4xtOBhjk/view

Also, if they have been working from home, limiting outside activities, etc., their risk is lower than if they have been out and about.

They should be following your state's guidelines and either testing before they come or quarantining when they get there. If they are not, I'm not sure I would agree when you say they are the kind to take all precautions. Are they staying long enough that you could wait two weeks before you see them?

AFAIK my friend and the kids are staying home, though her oldest has been thinking about working at the local grocery. Last I’ve heard he wasn’t. Her DH does have to work in his office. 
 

I agree it is essential they follow my states mandates. I feel very strongly about it. We had 8 cases in the state yesterday and I feel very protective of helping keep it that way. Unfortunately they aren’t staying as long as the quarantine period, which is why I’m asking her—and here—about testing. 

[MEmama]

9 minutes ago, Storygirl said:

Thanks! I'm not very sick at all. Normally I would think it's nothing, but I have a slight cough and barely runny nose, and I needed to be sure I can go to DD18's graduation this weekend. If the test takes longer than five days, I won't get the results soon enough and will be in a quandary. I had the test on Saturday but was waffling about taking one a few days before that and now wish that I hadn't delayed at all. I had not realized that testing delays were creeping up, because the urgent care website has "2-3 days" listed as the time frame.

I hope you can go!! 

[Pen]

Outdoors only. (If bathroom needed use Masks and wash hands before going in to house and again at end of toilet use.)

Masks when not in water or eating (maybe get extras of your favorite masks and give them each one as a gift).  Or? Check to be sure mask can’t be worn during something like inner tubing. Maybe it can. 

Physical Distancing also, so individual Tubes .

think about games and toys usable at a distance

 Charades?  If tubing together have a foam noodle to both hold onto for more distance ? 

 

Space yourselves while eating with at least the two families separated by 6’ -10 ‘. Maybe separated picnic blankets. 

I would not so much worry about passed objects (toys, outer food containers) if hands have been washed. 

Soap and squeeze water squirt bottles for hands washing.  Probably  Paper towels. 

[Pen]

Possibly some zinc lozenges and ability to brush teeth easily after eating in same location as part of hygiene approach? 

I take my D and other vitamins before expecting to encounter others. But my zinc after.

[Caraway]

2 hours ago, MEmama said:

She is very conscientious and will be taking all precautions.

 

 

To me, the fact that they are taking this vacation means that they are not "taking all precautions".  There is NO way I would be participating, as disappointing as that may feel.

[MEmama]

32 minutes ago, Caraway said:

 

To me, the fact that they are taking this vacation means that they are not "taking all precautions".  There is NO way I would be participating, as disappointing as that may feel.

Yeah, I get your point. We aren’t going anywhere this year, either and I agree, taking a vacation isn’t a great choice. My only consolation is that they’ll be really self sufficient at their cottage. They make the trip overnight, no stops except dad gets gas. Still, like I said, I have my concerns. Once they are here, I expect they will stick close to their camp as most of the summer people seem to be doing this year.

[MEmama]

1 hour ago, Pen said:

Outdoors only. (If bathroom needed use Masks and wash hands before going in to house and again at end of toilet use.)

Masks when not in water or eating (maybe get extras of your favorite masks and give them each one as a gift).  Or? Check to be sure mask can’t be worn during something like inner tubing. Maybe it can. 

Physical Distancing also, so individual Tubes .

think about games and toys usable at a distance

 Charades?  If tubing together have a foam noodle to both hold onto for more distance ? 

 

Space yourselves while eating with at least the two families separated by 6’ -10 ‘. Maybe separated picnic blankets. 

I would not so much worry about passed objects (toys, outer food containers) if hands have been washed. 

Soap and squeeze water squirt bottles for hands washing.  Probably  Paper towels. 

Good ideas! Thanks, Pen. 

[Toocrazy!!]

I don't know where you live, but if your friends happen to be coming down Interstate 77, the Walgreens in Marietta OH is offering free testing. My son and I both went this week. You have to make an appointment online, and even with that we waited about 2 hours to get tested. But we had our results within a couple hours. 

[J-rap]

Over the 4th, we had outdoor gatherings with two family groups.  Both groups have been very careful, and one family came from another state.  90% of our time was spent outdoors.  One member of the other family group -- the only one from that group who currently has a job that isn't working from home -- had just been tested for Covid.  (He was able to get results it in 3 days.)  We didn't wear masks outside.  At the table (outside), we allowed quite a bit of space between other-family members and sat close to same-family members, but we still sat mixed.  (It made for a funny arrangement spread out over three tables, but it still felt manageable.)  This was right outside of our home but in a very open area.  Our home was still home base for any kitchen/bathroom use.  Only once were we all inside at once, but had room to spread apart.  That was probably our riskiest time so it definitely wasn't ideal.  Our kitchen is actually quite small, so ahead of eating, a couple members at a time from same-family group would use the kitchen.  In a way, having a smaller kitchen made it easier to stick with that policy!  We had two bathrooms which we used for different families.   

Then another experience:  Our family group has been to my dad's small apartment...  We spent our time spread out on his patio and beyond, into the parking lot (his apartment is on street level), to create lots of space.  We took turns, one person at a time, going inside his apartment to use his bathroom.  He had separate clean towels available for each guest.  Whoever went inside always wore a mask.  (I thought that was pretty good planning for a 92-year-old man!)  

None of that is perfect!  But I don't think this is about perfection, it's about being very careful and doing the best we can as we try and inch forward.

[Carol in Cal.]

I am actually kind of surprised that you're doing this this year.

[ktgrok]

2 hours ago, MEmama said:

 

I agree it is essential they follow my states mandates. I feel very strongly about it. We had 8 cases in the state yesterday and I feel very protective of helping keep it that way. Unfortunately they aren’t staying as long as the quarantine period, which is why I’m asking her—and here—about testing. 

Yeah, if they are not testing, they are breaking the law if they say, go to the grocery store while there, socialize with you at all, etc. I'd be very uncomfortable with that. 

[MEmama]

56 minutes ago, happysmileylady said:

I don't know if this might make you feel better or not...

 

On June 29th, DH had his hip surgery.  Because of that, my kids had to stay with my parents.  They were there for 3 nights.  And, as it turns out, my mom had to go stay with my grandpa because he ended up in the hospital that weekend as well.  SO...DD24 picked up the kids on Sunday the 28th, dropped them off with my dad, stayed to help with dinner and such, then went to her apartment (she lives 5 minutes from my parents, DH and I live in southwest Ohio and my parents are in the Indy area.)  My kids stayed there for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights.  On Monday evening my mom came back from my grandparents (they are in the Chicago area) and met me to return the kids.

 

None of this was really avoidable.  Dh's surgery was only elective in the paper sense....he was at a point where he actually couldn't walk anymore.  My grandpa's hospitalization was an emergency (though thankfully minor) and because of other circumstances, neither my aunt nor my cousin were available to be his support person.  So, we had at least 4 people with time spent in the hospital, plus kids and adults all staying all over places that weren't normally their home location, all from areas with similar active infection rates as the place your family is coming from.  (to be clear, we all also aren't generally otherwise participating in higher risk things.....none of us go to church, DH was the only one who even went to work regularly, no large parties, weddings, etc.)

We are now two weeks out and none of us have covid.  I know it's just an anecdote, but I thought I would mention it if it might help you think a bit.  

Thanks. I do appreciate it.
Honestly, if it was just my friend, I’d skip it our visit this year for sure. But DS has really been struggling this summer, and knowing he can spend an afternoon or two with his buddy at the lake is like a bright shining light in the darkness. We are so, so very careful, but this is a place I truly have to give. Like J-Rap said, it can’t all be about perfection. We all want it to be as safe as reasonably possible, and I’ve received a lot of great ideas to think over.

[MEmama]

2 hours ago, Toocrazy!! said:

I don't know where you live, but if your friends happen to be coming down Interstate 77, the Walgreens in Marietta OH is offering free testing. My son and I both went this week. You have to make an appointment online, and even with that we waited about 2 hours to get tested. But we had our results within a couple hours. 

Oh, wrong direction unfortunately, but I’ll mention it to her anyway. Thank you!

[Pen]

Do they have to receive negative results within 72 hours of arrival in Maine? Or be tested within 72 hours of arrival? 

That part sounds complicated.

 

for the visit though I’d use all safety protocols you can because even with negative tests, they could get infected along Route to Maine after test is done. 

[MEmama]

9 minutes ago, Pen said:

Do they have to receive negative results within 72 hours of arrival in Maine? Or be tested within 72 hours of arrival? 

That part sounds complicated.

 

for the visit though I’d use all safety protocols you can because even with negative tests, they could get infected along Route to Maine after test is done. 

Negative test. I agree it sounds complicated, but the people I know who spend summers here have taken it seriously, so hopefully the mandate works, if only to prevent people from coming in the first place. Our area is eerily quiet for summertime (a good thing this year!).

We will definitely assume that they, or we, could be carriers, as we do with everyone. 

[Pen]

If they haven’t been tested yet, maybe somewhere along Route like NY state has available testing and rapid test results now. 

[freesia]

46 minutes ago, Pen said:

If they haven’t been tested yet, maybe somewhere along Route like NY state has available testing and rapid test results now. 

Except people coming to NY  from Ohio now have to quarantine for two weeks. I’m not sure how that works with traveling through, but they probably shouldn’t stop. 

Edited July 15, 2020 by freesia

[Toocrazy!!]

1 hour ago, MEmama said:

Oh, wrong direction unfortunately, but I’ll mention it to her anyway. Thank you!

There is one in Columbus offering testing, although it’s probably busier than the one in Marietta. But she could go online and see if she could get an appointment.

[Toocrazy!!]

I will also say, we did travel this summer. We had our own Airbnb but visited with family in a harder hit area. We visited outdoors, we rode bikes on the beach, we fished, we instacarted our food and ordered pickup. We all had been careful, and tried our hardest to distance, but it’s hard when you gather with friends. But, we’ve all been healthy since and tested negative since our return. It’s a tough decision to make. I’m very careful, but it’s still risky. Now that we’re all back and healthy two weeks out, I can say we had a wonderful time and made some great memories! Good luck with your decision. 

[MEmama]

10 hours ago, freesia said:

Except people coming to NY  from Ohio now have to quarantine for two weeks. I’m not sure how that works with traveling through, but they probably shouldn’t stop. 

Good point! 

[MEmama]

10 hours ago, Toocrazy!! said:

There is one in Columbus offering testing, although it’s probably busier than the one in Marietta. But she could go online and see if she could get an appointment.

I’ll let her know. Thanks! 

[Pam in CT]

If they're driving through MA, they may be eligible for "stop the spread" upon-request testing. (It is generally not covered by insurance. I think the CVS sites are charging something like $60 for walk-ins.)  I believe they would be eligible if their plan was to visit just-MA and were willing to pay rather than quarantine; the onward plan to ME might change things.  But y'all aren't formally in the NY-NJ-CT-MA joint public health league; just doing more or less parallel parameters.

The MA health department is quite good and has an interactive map with the different test sites.  If they're coming along 90E before connecting up to 495/95, there look to be several "stop the spread" test sites on that corridor.

My mother is in MA -- we haven't availed of this yet since our two visits with her over the last month have been brief, masked & 6' apart. But she is considering coming here in September; and if she does my husband and I will definitely get tested first. (While testing in CT is vastly more available than it was at our worst, at this point we still need a physician referral, usually based on either symptoms, known contact with confirmed cases, or (this will apply to both my kids returning to school) school re-entry requirements.  So I'm watching MA's program closely.  I *think* we'd be eligible for it based on stopping-the-spread to my mother.)

[MEmama]

9 minutes ago, Pam in CT said:

If they're driving through MA, they may be eligible for "stop the spread" upon-request testing. (It is generally not covered by insurance. I think the CVS sites are charging something like $60 for walk-ins.)  I believe they would be eligible if their plan was to visit just-MA and were willing to pay rather than quarantine; the onward plan to ME might change things.  But y'all aren't formally in the NY-NJ-CT-MA joint public health league; just doing more or less parallel parameters.

The MA health department is quite good and has an interactive map with the different test sites.  If they're coming along 90E before connecting up to 495/95, there look to be several "stop the spread" test sites on that corridor.

My mother is in MA -- we haven't availed of this yet since our two visits with her over the last month have been brief, masked & 6' apart. But she is considering coming here in September; and if she does my husband and I will definitely get tested first. (While testing in CT is vastly more available than it was at our worst, at this point we still need a physician referral, usually based on either symptoms, known contact with confirmed cases, or (this will apply to both my kids returning to school) school re-entry requirements.  So I'm watching MA's program closely.  I *think* we'd be eligible for it based on stopping-the-spread to my mother.)

I shouldn’t be surprised, but the rest of New England seems so far ahead of us in testing capabilities. The stop the spread program makes so much sense. Here it’s still difficult to get tested at all (and even then our doctor assumed a negative result to be false because the tests are so unreliable). 
 

Thankfully, I just heard confirmation that the whole family has been tested. Yay! We assume everyone (including ourselves) are carriers and will proceed with lots of caution, but I am so relieved they were able to get tested and follow the protocol. Like I said—and I think this is true of most New Englanders—I’m feeling super protective of our states mandates and current low numbers. 

[Storygirl]

I'm glad they got tested!

I just got the call that my test was negative. I was tested on Saturday at an urgent care and got the results today (Wednesday).

[freesia]

9 hours ago, MEmama said:

I shouldn’t be surprised, but the rest of New England seems so far ahead of us in testing capabilities. The stop the spread program makes so much sense. Here it’s still difficult to get tested at all (and even then our doctor assumed a negative result to be false because the tests are so unreliable). 
 

Thankfully, I just heard confirmation that the whole family has been tested. Yay! We assume everyone (including ourselves) are carriers and will proceed with lots of caution, but I am so relieved they were able to get tested and follow the protocol. Like I said—and I think this is true of most New Englanders—I’m feeling super protective of our states mandates and current low numbers. 

I’m so glad. I was feeling so badly for your son.