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Audio Diary: Hear What It's Like To Get Tested For COVID

Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County hosted its first free COVID-19 pop-up testing for the public Thursday. The department’s Medical Director Dr. Michael Dohn said pop-up testing is a way for Public Health to identify active cases and control the spread of the virus.

As of Thursday, the Ohio Department of Health is reporting 2,777 total cases of COVID-19 in Montgomery County. The county currently has a Level 3 Public Emergency health advisory indicating “very high exposure and spread.”

Free testing will continue Friday at Trotwood Madison High School and Monday at Montgomery County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment or doctor’s recommendation is needed. One of the people who got tested today at the Rose Music Center in Huber Heights was WYSO's Leila Goldstein. She sent this audio diary about her experience.

[The following transcript has been lightly edited for clarity]

Leila Goldstein: It's a little bit after 9 a.m., around 9:15 a.m. and the line is already well over 100 people. It's kind of surreal how much the world has changed, to see people lining up in masks to get tested right next to concession stands and tour merchandise. 

Goldstein: OK, it's about 10:15 a.m. I've been waiting for about an hour and I'm just about to be checked in. There are some workers with computers.

Worker: Last name?

Goldstein: Goldstein.

Worker: First name?

Goldstein: Leila, L-E-I-L-A.

Worker: There you are.

Goldstein: Thank you so much.

Worker: You’re welcome. Head around the corner at the blue tape.

Goldstein: It’s 10:30 a.m., it’s been about an hour and 15 minutes. I’m about 10 people away from the tent where people are getting tested. The health care professionals inside are wearing full PPE. They've got gowns on with masks and face shields. 

Healthcare worker: Have you had this test done before, ma’am?

Goldstein: I have not.

Healthcare worker: Ok, the Q-tip is going to go on one side and swirl around for 10 seconds. It may itch, burn or tickle. Your eyes might water. You might feel like you are going to sneeze or cough. 

Goldstein: OK.

Healthcare worker: So I’m going to have you slide your mask down to expose your nose. 

Goldstein: OK.

Healthcare worker: Right, and I’m going to have you look straight ahead and tilt your head back for me.

Goldstein: OK.

Healthcare worker: I’ll take a look here and see. Alright, the Q-tip is going to come in, and down. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Alright ma’am that’s it, you’re all done.

Goldstein: Ok, that’s it? Just one nostril?

Healthcare worker: Just one nostril.

Goldstein: Ok. Thanks...That was kind of painful and just very strange, how deep they had to go. It was so quick after I waited about almost an hour and 45 minutes, and then it took about 10 seconds. Now my nose is a little bit tingly and I was a little teary-eyed, but overall it was pretty short so it wasn't too bad.

While working at the station Leila Goldstein has covered the economic effects of grocery cooperatives, police reform efforts in Dayton and the local impact of the coronavirus pandemic on hiring trends, telehealth and public parks. She also reported Trafficked, a four part series on misinformation and human trafficking in Ohio.
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