Testing in Maryland

I went this morning and was Covid tested with the nasal swab and using the RT-PCR method. I used a Maryland state drive up center. I was told that I would have my results with in 24 hours.

I showed no ID, no proof of insurance, needed no doctor’s note and did not have to say I was experiencing symptoms. The only things I did were verify my name and it’s correct spelling and my date of birth. Absolutely ZERO cost.

** this was a dry run. I will have to repeat this in 2 weeks for submission to the SXM entry website for our trip. I wanted to test out the experience and have multiple avenues for success.

Huh. That is interesting, that you didn't even have to have ID. It seems that ANYONE could take a test, and put down someone else's name, and get results stating the other person's name? That doesn't give me a warm fuzzy.

It does give me a HUGE warm fuzzy, as the one thing I have been most concerned about is the testing. I am going to take two tests at two locations on the 6th of November for a flight that departs on the 11th. One will be the state drive thru and the other will be a Patient First center. I now have very high confidence that I will get results in plenty of time.

Yes, good that you could get the test, but to me, that is not good for the authenticity of the test, that you don't even have to provide ID..

Yes, that makes no sense at all. Especially with all the talk of contact tracing, I would think an ID would be mandatory.

I did a drive through at Greenwich Hospital here in CT for pre surgery. I had an appointment, but came 2 hours early, drove up and they asked for ID. No need for insurance. And that was it.

I did have to register for the appointment. Registration included my name, address, home and mobile phone, gender, email address and date of birth, no uploads of any kind, like a photo ID. At my appointment, I showed no ID or proof of insurance, but verbally verified my name and date of birth. I was in and out in under 10 minutes.

Ok, but that is different from showing no ID at all. Your name and date of birth tied you to the appointment.

Yup....voids the validity of the person being tested since anyone could have shown up in place of the listed person....When we were tested in RI we had to hold our drivers license against the window to confirm who we were....

It is not different. I showed no ID, I only gave a verbal acknowledgement of my name and date of birth.

I am very pleased with availability and ease of testing here in MD and feel way more comfortable about meeting my obligations for entry into SXM.

And it voids nothing if the person being tested is the person that registered.

Yup...I agree....but a decent "IF"

Not everybody coming for a test would know your name and birthday. Having that on file gave them something to go on to identify you. I still think an ID should have been required at the point of testing but I don't make the rules.