Disincentives for COVID Testing

Masking, social distancing, vaccines, vaccinations and testing are all critical elements in the fight against the coronavirus.

So what happens when being responsible and getting tested when you have symptoms causes negative consequences? These might include:

• Trying to find a place to be tested
• Spending hours and hours waiting in line to be tested
• Paying $150 for a test
• Kids having to stay home from school
• You can’t go to work
• You could be fired
• Your job does not provide sick leave
• Other family members will be impacted/quarantined because of your positive test
• You won’t be able to go on that long-planned trip
• And, the list goes on...

See this NPR story on this issue: “Even if they can find a test, not everyone wants to know they have COVID.”

Event ethical people who care about others might reconsider when the negative consequences of a positive test will impact their lives.