I started a fever yesterday and it feels exactly like the sinus infections I get pretty regularly, since I’m immunocompromised and the biologic I take for my condition makes me more susceptible to infection. I took an at home rapid test and it was negative but I figured I should get a PCR just for peace of mind. 

I’ve been to a certain testing place a few times, and it’s been a pretty quick process with only having to go inside for the actual test. Registration and everything else took place outside. They also already have all my info on file so I wouldn’t have to fill out paperwork like I would if I went somewhere different. 

I drove up and didn’t see the outdoor trailer that they previously had. I went in and there were a lot of people waiting. They had me fill out a form and then told me I had to put all my info into a new site, and couldn’t just use what I already had on file. I thought it was weird but was already there so I just did it. I had to touch a clipboard but used my own pen. I waited outside and they called to tell me I could come in. Well, the new procedure had you wait in line in a hallway until it was your turn. The old procedure was you’d wait in your car until they called you to come in and you got the test right away and that was it.  I was very uncomfortable but felt kind of stuck so I just stayed since I was so close to my turn. Masks stayed on the whole time except for the 30 seconds for the test. 

I got the test done and when I got to my car I started to feel extreme anxiety about what had just happened. The likelihood of someone inside there having Covid is pretty high, right?  I called my best friend and she asked me why I didn’t just leave if I felt uncomfortable and I could have gone to the drive through place down the street. I had already given my license and insurance info when I started to feel uncomfortable and was worried it would cause some type of insurance issue if I left after that step and then went to a different place. In hindsight, I just should have left. Now I’m worried I put myself at more risk than if I hadn’t gone and done the responsible thing by getting tested. I came home and put all my clothes in the wash and took a shower and did a sinuse rinse,  but I can’t stop thinking about how I could have caught Covid there. My husband didn’t help when he said I did it to myself by going to get tested when I didn’t need to. 

Am I at risk? Why is so hard to get myself to leave situations where I feel uncomfortable? I just try to convince myself in the moment that I’m fine and overreacting, but then I regret it later.  Is this a typical anxiety feeling?