Step Two: Taking the test

There are two main methods that are used to test people with symptoms of COVID. The most common method is where one takes a long, thin cotton swab and places it up into the nasal passage for a few seconds. The cotton swab absorbs the secretion from the inner parts of your nose, which is then taken in to be tested for the genetic material of the virus. 

This method is commonly used at the doctor’s office and is known to be quite uncomfortable, depending on how high they put the cotton swab into your nasal passage. West senior Halle Kleimann stated that when she got this test done, she was quite uncomfortable and it led to her eyes watering a bit. She also said that it caused her to feel an extreme urge to sneeze and cough. However, she said that the test wasn’t nearly as bad as everyone has made it out to be, especially based on videos people have posted on social media. 

The second method is a test that can be taken right at home especially if you want to stay in your house to quarantine and not risk going out. This version is quite simple and similar to the test that is taken at the doctors office. 

West senior Anna Knecht, who took her test at home and explained the process, said, “I had to register the test, swab the inside of my nose for about ten seconds with a three inch or so swab, put it in a sealed container, then send it back to the lab where I bought it from.”