Rapid Tests Can Save Christmas, If You Can Find Them
In much of Europe, they are free and easy to get. But in the U.S., an onerous regulatory process has limited supply and passed the cost to consumers.
Massachusetts is distributing 2.1 million rapid-test kits.
Photographer: Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
As terrifying as the rapidly spreading omicron variant is, fewer Americans should have to spend the holidays alone this year out of fear of contracting Covid-19. Not only do we have life-saving vaccines. For many people, rapid tests can effectively flag those who are likely to be infectious, allowing others to gather safely.
Sadly, many people won’t be able to get those tests when they’d do the most good — right before a holiday visit. We can hope that President Joe Biden's pledge to get 500 million free tests mailed out to any U.S. household that requests one will help remedy the underuse of an important pandemic control tactic.