The New York Times - USA (2020-11-15)

4 D THE NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2020

For Mini Messes

The diminutive size of the Desktop Table dustpan and
brush set by Iris Hantverk means that it can be left nearly
anywhere, and its soft bristles won’t mar most surfaces.
$41 from amazon.comGREGORY HAN

Twisty Tumblers

The designer Maximilian Eicke’s Ghost collection
of glassware elevates ordinary drinks with twisted,
faceted forms in a range of eye-catching colors.
$96 from maxidnystore.comTIM McKEOUGH

Getting Hooked

Looking for a whimsical gift for a design-minded friend?
The Bendo Luxe paper clip coat hook adds a playful
visual element to any wall, and is strong enough to
hold even lightweight bags.
$48 from shop.design-milk.comG.H.

Quirky Reusable Straws

The exuberant designer Misha Kahn’s Suck It Up
glass straws make every sip an adventure while doing
away with polluting plastic.
$28 from comingsoonnewyork.comT.M.

A City in Pieces

John Derian is a master of decoupage paperweights
and plates with historical illustrations. He’s now expanded
into puzzles, including one with a bird’s-eye view of
19th-century New York.
$20 from amazon.comT.M.

Gift Guide:

Home Design

Times and Wirecutter

contributors have searched

for ideas to inspire you.

FOR THOSE WHOmust travel, or

those who are itching to do so,

airlines and airports are increas-

ingly offering ways to get tested

for the coronavirus ahead of a trip.

Taking a test can assure you and

others that you aren’t spreading

the virus from one place to

another.

In recent weeks, destinations

including Hawaii, New York,

Washington, D.C., and some Ca-

ribbean countries began allowing

people who have tested negative

for the virus and can show test

results to skip mandatory 14-day

quarantines, a process that some

view as risky because it is possible

that people can take a test, receive

a negative result and then con-

tract the virus later.

Are all coronavirus tests

the same?

No. There are two categories of

coronavirus tests: virus tests,

which help determine if you have

the coronavirus, and antibody

tests, which detect if you have an

immune response because of past

exposure to the virus.

If you want to find out if you

currently have the coronavirus,

you should plan on taking a virus

test like a polymerase chain reac-

tion, or P.C.R., test. P.C.R. tests are

currently considered the gold

standard for tests because of their

accuracy and reliability. These

tests can detect an active infection

and require a swab in the nose or

the back of the throat. Some tests

use saliva. The test is highly sensi-

tive and looks for the virus’s ge-

netic material.

Another type of diagnostic test

is an antigen test, which detects

the presence of a specific viral

antigen or bits of coronavirus

proteins, implying current viral

infection. For antigen tests, a

sample is collected by nasal swab-

bing, with hopes that there are

some virus proteins in the sample.

You’ve probably heard of anti-

body tests, too, but those aren’t

what you need in order to travel.

An antibody test checks for anti-

bodies, which may tell you if you

had a past infection with the virus

that causes Covid-19.

Are rapid tests reliable?

Many companies have released

rapid tests, which are mostly

antigen tests and take minutes to

return results. These tests tend to

be less accurate, and false nega-

tives could lead people to be reck-

less and unwittingly spread the

virus, but they are fast and afford-

able. You can check if your airline

and destination accept results

from rapid antigen tests.

How do I know which

test to take?

Most airlines and destinations

will accept P.C.R. tests, although

others might also be allowed.

If you’re taking a test specifi-

cally because you are about to

travel, you should first see if your

destination has a list of tests that

it will accept. Many places, includ-

ing Hawaii, Washington, D.C.,

New York and a number of Carib-

bean countries, specify which

tests they will accept.

If you get a test that isn’t ap-

proved, you could be forced to

quarantine upon arrival or the

airline could prevent you from

boarding the flight.

Where do I get a test?

Many places are offering corona-

virus tests, including some hospi-

tals, urgent care clinics, pharma-

cies and doctors’ offices. Some

churches and fire stations are

offering testing, too. Airlines like

Hawaiian Airlines, United Air-

lines, JetBlue and American Air-

lines are offering testing at the

airport or at nearby drive-through

sites for passengers heading to

certain destinations. Some air-

ports have clinics in terminals.

Companies including CareCube

and Pixel by LabCorp will mail a

test to you; after you send back a

sample, they promise to send your

results within 12 to 34 hours and

36 hours, respectively. JetBlue has

a partnership with Vault Health

for mail-in tests.

It’s a good idea to start by

reaching out to your doctor’s

office to see what all the available

options for testing are and how

long it will take to get results. If

you don’t have a primary care

provider, a good place to start is

on city and state health depart-

ment websites, which outline the

various testing options and

locations.

I have a trip coming up.

When should I take my test?

You should get a coronavirus test

before you travel. Figuring out the

exact time can be tricky, but you

can’t wait too long to take the test

because you might not get the

results back in time to go on

your trip.

For those reasons, many desti-

nations, including France, Aruba,

Bonaire, Puerto Rico and Hawaii,

require that the test be taken

within 72 hours of departure. Abu

Dhabi and Croatia require test

results are within 48 hours of

departure. Some airlines, like

Egypt Air, allow travelers to use

results from a test taken up to 96

hours before traveling, depending

on where they are traveling from

and to.

You can walk into a testing site,

but it’s a good idea to schedule an

appointment and to not wait until

the last minute to get the test.

How long does it take to

get test results back?

It depends.

If you’re taking a test because

you’re getting ready to go on a

trip, you should look for test

providers who will get results

back to you within 36 hours so

that you have your results by the

time you leave for your trip. Keep

in mind that different tests will

come with different wait times for

results. Rapid tests typically

return results in less than an hour,

and results from P.C.R. tests tend

to take a few days because sam-

ples have to be sent to a lab.

There’s always a chance that

your results won’t arrive in time,

so try to be flexible with your

travel plans.

Does insurance cover

coronavirus tests?

Not all tests are covered by insur-

ance, but since the passage of the

Families First Coronavirus Re-

sponse Act in March, many people

should have coverage for corona-

virus testing. Under the act, public

and private insurance, including

self-funded plans, have to cover

F.D.A.-approved coronavirus tests

and costs associated with diagnos-

tic testing.

Rapid tests like the ones offered

at the airport on the day of travel

might not be covered by many

insurance companies.

What should I do if I test

positive for the virus?

Stay home and isolate. Don’t

travel with the virus.

NADIA HAFID

For travelers, here’s what you need to know to assure yourself and

others that you aren’t spreading the virus.

BY TARIRO MZEZEWA

Antigen? Antibody?

P.C.R.? Understand

Coronavirus Tests