There is another holiday rush going on right now.

Many are looking to get tested for Covid before reuniting with friends and family in the coming weeks.

After landing at Bradley International Airport on Saturday, Marnie McKay and her mother made their first stop to get tested for COVID-19.

“We have traveled and I want this precaution. My mother lives in an assisted living facility. So it’s a good idea to get tested, ”McKay said.

The airport offers a convenient option, especially when many struggle to find a place with openings.

“I was just earlier today trying to do some tests at the drugstores and they were out every four and five days,” McKay said.

Demand for testing increased, including in New York where there were long lines before the holidays

“I always say prevention is better than cure,” said Dr. Sharon Stoll, neuroimmunologist at Yale Medicine.

Dr Sharon Stoll of Yale Medicine says it’s usually best to test within 72 hours of an event.

“If you are meeting with a large group of people or people whose immunization status you don’t know, it’s always best to test yourself. And if you host it, it’s great to have them for family and friends too, ”said Dr Stoll.

Dr Stoll says if you can find them at your local drugstores, rapid antigen testing is a good bet.

You can get your results in about 10 to 15 minutes.

“There is a slightly higher chance of getting what’s called a false positive with rapid home tests, which means there is a chance that you will be negative, but the test comes back positive, and if this is the case, you can still confirm your results with the PCR test, ”said Dr Stoll.

Earlier this month, President Biden announced that Americans with private health insurance will be eligible for a full reimbursement for home testing, although it is not clear when it will take effect and more details are not available. should not be published until next month.

Testing is just another part of the precautions at this point in the pandemic, which also include social distancing and vaccination.

“If you’ve received your booster you’re ahead of the curve as they say, and you don’t even intend to meet with that many people, just with the number of asymptomatic cases, that’s a good one. just time to get tested, ”said Dr Stoll.

Dr Stoll also says it’s also a good idea to get tested after coming into contact with someone with Covid or attending a big event.