Chicago Officer walks you through a COVID-19 test site

Have you wondered what it’s like to go through a COVID-19 testing site?

Friday morning, Chicago Police Officer Michael Carroll documented his experience on Twitter as just one of many first responders and healthcare professionals across the Nation who is in dire need of test results. 

Not to ease their own health concerns, but the fear they could’ve brought something home to their family. 

Decided to get out early and make use of the free #COVID19 drive-thru test for First Responders. Short ride from home on the Northwest Side, I pulled up to a line of cars at about 7am. Testing site was to open at 9am. pic.twitter.com/F0NTdCeYqR

— Michael Carroll (@Carroll46) March 27, 2020

Which is why Officer Carroll arrived at a testing site on the City’s Northwest side early this morning at 7 am.

To add to my fears that I may have brought something home to sicken my son, an Officer on my floor recently tested positive for #COVID19.

While I haven’t had symptoms of the illness, my fear is that I’m asymptomatic and brought illness home.

Hence, my trip to get tested. pic.twitter.com/uEKTOzqFeQ

— Michael Carroll (@Carroll46) March 27, 2020

After arriving, Officer Carroll is assigned a number.  He’s #33.  At some testing sites cutoff comes for the day at a certain number.  Earlier this week in Joliet, Police were cutting off lines at #70.  Federal spokesmen have said sites like these can accommodate 250 people a day with expanded personnel.

Next step was pulling up to a group of @IL_Natl_Guard members, supported by members of @Chicago_Police and @CFDMedia. Informational paperwork about the testing procedure and how results would be shared was given to me and my temperature was taken: 98.2°. pic.twitter.com/WCuksl1Fv9

— Michael Carroll (@Carroll46) March 27, 2020

Officer Carroll is asked to put his ID on the dash, provide information, has his temperature taken and heads into the testing site. 

Finished. I exited at 10am and am now headed in to continue serving the people of Chicago.

To the people who don’t work as First Responders, medical professionals, or workers at essential businesses: stay home. Because this is the line you don’t want to be in.#StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/rTsoHpFjgg

— Michael Carroll (@Carroll46) March 27, 2020

Before you know it, he’s done. Now the wait for results begins.

Be sure to thank Officer Carroll for his service and to see more of his journey from this morning, check out his Twitter.