Last week, the U.S. government announced that it’s buying one billion rapid COVID-19 tests to distribute to Americans for free — a welcome step in helping prevent and slow the spread of the coronavirus. Unfortunately, just like all good news these days, these free tests come with a catch.
“There will be free tests available for every household, and to promote broad access, the initial program will allow four free tests to be requested per residential address,” read the White House’s statement dated Jan. 14.
Four tests are better than none, but it’s markedly less useful for households of five or more. Further, while the UPS website for ordering the tests is now live, numerous people claim they have been unable to order because different apartments in the same building are considered part of the same household.
“This is occurring in a small percentage of orders,” the UPS said in a statement to The Guardian, directing those affected to contact customer service.
In the meantime, Twitter users are roasting the four test limit by posting pictures of famous, mostly fictional households who would need many more tests to cover all of their members. It seems everyone will just have to decide who needs the tests most, like choosing who gets to stay aboard the overcrowded lifeboat.
