COVID

were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.” Quarantine is what happens if someone is exposed but has not yet tested positive.

Testing now is not as easy or accessible as it was at this time last year. Tests are now not free - whether at the doctor’s office or a take home test. The only exception to this is the four free at-home tests the United States government is giving to those who sign up.

The one catch is that it is only four tests per household, or address, not per person.

“This is frustrating because what about the people who have a full household? Some of us have more than four people in the household,” one concerned Starkville resident said.

To sign up to have the four free tests sent to your address, visit special.usps.com/testkits.

The orders will begin to ship in late January, and the White House announced a plan to roll out three free N95 masks to adults starting next week. There is something in the works for children, but the current masks do not fit them. Masks will be available at pharmacies and community health centers depending on where they are sent. They will not be available for order the way the at-home tests are on the USPS website.

With cases and hospitalizations at an all time high, it is important to do what is possible in stopping the spread.