I am writing in response to President Donald Trump’s recent comment at the Centers for Disease Control that anyone who wants a test for coronavirus can get one. He is woefully uninformed.
A week ago, I returned from a two-week trip to Kirkland, Washington, where we were one mile away from the deaths have taken place from the coronavirus. After being home for five days, I became ill with the symptoms of coronavirus. Because of my being in Kirkland, I called my doctor. After consultation with the hospital and the health department, I went to the emergency room to be assessed. Because I had not traveled to the affected countries overseas, I was not within the guidelines to be tested at that time.
My husband and I were sent home with instructions to remain quarantined for two weeks, even though the doctor felt I didn’t have coronavirus. I called the health department to let them know I felt I should have been tested due to my presence in Kirkland. I was informed that the guidelines had been changed to include that area, therefore I would be tested.
I am most relieved to find out I don’t have coronavirus and we don’t have to be quarantined. I’m fortunate to have that knowledge. My daughter and her family cannot be tested in Kirkland because there are not enough testing kits available. The United States is woefully ill-prepared for this health emergency. South Korea has tested 45,000 people. One can drive up in their car to be tested without exposing anyone to possible infection. The U.S. has tested 1,000 people as of March 6.
— Anita Thorne
Anchorage
Have something on your mind? Send to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Letters under 200 words have the best chance of being published. Writers should disclose any personal or professional connections with the subjects of their letters. Letters are edited for accuracy, clarity and length.