Had a COVID scare the past few days.

My wife and I are being pretty careful (me more than her). I'm vaxxed; she is very ill with many chronic problems and medical interventions have almost always made her even worse, so she is afraid to get the vaccine. She didn't like my side effects either (a few days of being very weak and feeling unwell). I do almost all shopping, masked and wearing a visor and gloves. She does the same on the rare occasions she ventures out.

She sent me for takeout food (only for her). Within 24 hours, she had scratchy throat, cough, mild fever. Took two home COVID tests 24 hours apart; both negative. I tested myself too.

These are antigen tests; they detect a surface protein from the virus. Got 'em at CVS for $23.99 for a box of two tests ( "Quick-Vue At-Home" ). Got results in 20 minutes.

She's still sick; will have to see a doctor today. But at least it appears not to be COVID.