A pretty important downside in many cases is that they’re logistically complicated at a large event. The tests need to lie flat on a table or other surface for 15 minutes. Are you gonna have a giant table covered in tests? Do people come in to test and then go back out? Do they take their test out and perform it in their cars? These are solvable problems, but they can add a lot of complexity and crowding to the checkin area, which is already a problem spot at many events.
With that said, I’m a huge fan of tests for smaller events. Rapid tests let you get four times as much socializing for the same level of risk—depending on your risk budget, your financial situation, and your social ambitions, tests might (or might not) be a game changer for you.
They do get you four times as much socializing for the same level of risk, but so do some other options like air purifiers. If you’re already doing the others, and you are doing something risky enough or are sufficiently cautious, then rapid tests do make sense.
EDIT: this is also different by country; I’m thinking of the US where rapid tests are somewhat hard to find in stock, and cost ~$12/each
Really solid analysis. Regarding rapid tests:
A pretty important downside in many cases is that they’re logistically complicated at a large event. The tests need to lie flat on a table or other surface for 15 minutes. Are you gonna have a giant table covered in tests? Do people come in to test and then go back out? Do they take their test out and perform it in their cars? These are solvable problems, but they can add a lot of complexity and crowding to the checkin area, which is already a problem spot at many events.
With that said, I’m a huge fan of tests for smaller events. Rapid tests let you get four times as much socializing for the same level of risk—depending on your risk budget, your financial situation, and your social ambitions, tests might (or might not) be a game changer for you.
They do get you four times as much socializing for the same level of risk, but so do some other options like air purifiers. If you’re already doing the others, and you are doing something risky enough or are sufficiently cautious, then rapid tests do make sense.
EDIT: this is also different by country; I’m thinking of the US where rapid tests are somewhat hard to find in stock, and cost ~$12/each