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PostPosted: Thu Mar 25, 2021 4:45 pm 
I can do CR without a wingman!
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Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Thanks for the info about Taormina. Sucks though, because they are just charging too damn much for the test.
Cheers from Bourbon Country
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 02, 2021 3:59 pm 
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Goboy wrote:
Patron wrote:
Taormina Hotel
Are they offering lab testing for return trips to the US in their hotel? So far I haven’t seen a single post about what they are offering for their guests. And I assume Castillo and Sportsman’s testing service is for their guests only, right?
Pura Vida from Bourbon Country USA
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Per the Taormina Hotel & Casino website:

We have arranged with a private lab for guests to receive a Covid-19 viral test at the hotel. The cost of the test is $111 tax included


Does that include the chica fee? :)

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PostPosted: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:20 pm 
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On May 19, the CDC updated the guidelines for international travel. Fully vaccinated travelers are no longer required to quarantine after returning to the United States.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nc ... vid19.html

Costa Rica continues to require a travel insurance policy for all travelers, including the fully vaccinated. Also a test for Covid-19 is required prior to return travel to the United States.

However, if you are fully vaccinated, upon return to the United States you are only required to isolate and get tested should you develop symptoms.

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PostPosted: Tue Jun 01, 2021 7:04 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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That's a relief! :lol:

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PostPosted: Thu Jun 03, 2021 12:01 am 
Not a Newbie I just don't post much!
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Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:02 am
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Staying at SL, but going back to US Friday. Got test this morning; will know the results tomorrow. I’m fully vaccinated as of March and have no symptoms, not expecting a positive result.

IF I DID TEST POSITIVE, what’s the protocol afterwards? I believe 10 day quarantine, but where exactly? Doubt I can go back to SL. I do have insurance, obviously.

Google results giving conflicting information, some of it may be outdated.

Probably worrying over nothing, but want to be prepared just in case.


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PostPosted: Thu Jun 03, 2021 12:07 am 
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Figuro wrote:
Staying at SL, but going back to US Friday. Got test this morning; will know the results tomorrow. I’m fully vaccinated as of March and have no symptoms, not expecting a positive result.

IF I DID TEST POSITIVE, what’s the protocol afterwards? I believe 10 day quarantine, but where exactly? Doubt I can go back to SL. I do have insurance, obviously.

Google results giving conflicting information, some of it may be outdated.

Probably worrying over nothing, but want to be prepared just in case.


Since you are a guest at the Sportsmens Lodge, then you should direct your question about the possibility of testing positive to them. I am sure they will have advice for guests. After all they setup the testing and have been doing this for some time.

Since you are fully vaccinated, it is unlikely that you would require medical treatment for Covid. Serious or extreme cases are quite rare for the fully vaccinated. You would only need to quarantine, and the insurance covers lodging expense for quarantine.

Your specific insurance provider would also provide the instructions on where to quarantine and how to get reimbursed. It's always best to travel with a credit card.

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PostPosted: Sun Jun 06, 2021 9:11 pm 
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Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2021 1:26 pm
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guys, which test is acceptable for going back to usa? i have trip coming up in july.

looks like there are two covid tests, rapid/antigen test and pcr test.

is taking covid rapid/antigen test acceptable for entry to usa?

edit: guys,i found the answer, looks like rapid/antigen test is acceptable


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PostPosted: Sun Jun 06, 2021 9:32 pm 
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Antigen or pcr are good for US entry. Results for antigen test usually come back quicker and the test is usually less expensive. The antiBODY test is NOT good to use.


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PostPosted: Mon Jun 07, 2021 10:25 am 
I can do CR without a wingman!
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I stayed at the Taormina and returned back to US on April 11. I called the Lab Echandi, for my Anitgen test, and they come to you. The technician came to Taormina, and we went up to the room where she put on a hazmat suit, and swabbed my nose. She took of the hazmat suit, and left. The cost was $60.00, which was about $40.00 cheaper than if I had the Taormina set up the test. Lab Echandi SJ 2258-4334
The tech was cute too!
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 07, 2021 11:00 am 
Ticas ask me for advice!
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I have talked with several people at SL getting the test with me and there was some confusion. There is a bit of science below, ignore the post if it’s too technical. Basically there are three tests:

PCR: is detecting genetic material from the virus. It is the most sensitive and also least likely to give a false positive. It is the most complicated laboratory procedure which takes time and costs more. Usually overnight.

Antigen: Is also a direct test for virus that is present. The antigen test is detecting a virus protein instead of genetic material. The protein is on the outside of the virus. This is old school technology. Essentially the same technology as a pregnancy test. Only difference is they have changed which protein is detected and how the sample is collected.

Can be done rapidly. Not quite as fast as pissing on a stick, but close. They need to use a sterile solution to get the virus off the swab, then run that solution over the test strip. This is what they are doing in the two hour tests.

Both of the above tests are looking for virus that is currently present. Both use nasal swab. Both are accepted to return to US.

Antibody: Detecting if your immune system has been exposed. Need a blood sample. Will be positive for months after exposure or vaccination. Long after no virus is present. Should be used only in special circumstances. Not accepted to return to US.


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PostPosted: Mon Jun 07, 2021 12:41 pm 
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bulldog10 wrote:
I have talked with several people at SL getting the test with me and there was some confusion. There is a bit of science below, ignore the post if it’s too technical. Basically there are three tests:

PCR: is detecting genetic material from the virus. It is the most sensitive and also least likely to give a false positive. It is the most complicated laboratory procedure which takes time and costs more. Usually overnight.

Antigen: Is also a direct test for virus that is present. The antigen test is detecting a virus protein instead of genetic material. The protein is on the outside of the virus. This is old school technology. Essentially the same technology as a pregnancy test. Only difference is they have changed which protein is detected and how the sample is collected.

Can be done rapidly. Not quite as fast as pissing on a stick, but close. They need to use a sterile solution to get the virus off the swab, then run that solution over the test strip. This is what they are doing in the two hour tests.

Both of the above tests are looking for virus that is currently present. Both use nasal swab. Both are accepted to return to US.

Antibody: Detecting if your immune system has been exposed. Need a blood sample. Will be positive for months after exposure or vaccination. Long after no virus is present. Should be used only in special circumstances. Not accepted to return to US.


Antibody tests do a good job of detecting prior natural infections but may not detect vaccination. Natural infections produce a range of different antibodies, whereas vaccination produces targeted antibodies. So depending on the antibody test, vaccination may not show. In both cases, current tests do not measure the extent of "covid protection".

Here is a lengthy discussion:
https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/w ... 59267.html


To reiterate, PCR or Antigen for return travel to US. Some other countries, mainly EU, require PCR.

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PostPosted: Tue Jun 08, 2021 12:35 am 
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bulldog10 wrote:
I have talked with several people at SL getting the test with me and there was some confusion. There is a bit of science below, ignore the post if it’s too technical. Basically there are three tests:

PCR: is detecting genetic material from the virus. It is the most sensitive and also least likely to give a false positive. It is the most complicated laboratory procedure which takes time and costs more. Usually overnight.

Antigen: Is also a direct test for virus that is present. The antigen test is detecting a virus protein instead of genetic material. The protein is on the outside of the virus. This is old school technology. Essentially the same technology as a pregnancy test. Only difference is they have changed which protein is detected and how the sample is collected.

Can be done rapidly. Not quite as fast as pissing on a stick, but close. They need to use a sterile solution to get the virus off the swab, then run that solution over the test strip. This is what they are doing in the two hour tests.

Both of the above tests are looking for virus that is currently present. Both use nasal swab. Both are accepted to return to US.

Antibody: Detecting if your immune system has been exposed. Need a blood sample. Will be positive for months after exposure or vaccination. Long after no virus is present. Should be used only in special circumstances. Not accepted to return to US.


Forget about the Antibody test. It is NOT valid for travel and over time becomes less of a measurement of any value.

The downside to the Antigen test a/k/a rapid test is the risk of a false positive result (just like a pregnancy test). So, if you test positive with the Antigen test, but otherwise feel fine, then you will certainly need to follow up with a PCR test while waiting and dealing with the implication that you "maybe" have Covid-19 and aren't allowed to travel on an airplane.

If you are paying for a test, then perhaps it is better to pay a little more and wait a few hours longer for a test that is actually accurate, especially if you do not already feel sick or have already been vaccinated.

But, some people may still prefer the rapid test, in particular if they already have symptoms of Covid-19 and want quick confirmation of the illness.

https://www.memorialhealthcare.org/what ... prc-tests/

https://www.hearthsidemedicine.com/post ... w-accurate

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PostPosted: Tue Jun 08, 2021 7:06 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Location: Sex Felony State (most other places p4p is just another day!)
Have any idea when CDC and/or airlines will drop the testing requirement prior to air travel for those fully vaccinated?

I'm in the "prison" and really need some medicine soon. May have to go back out to TJ.


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PostPosted: Tue Jun 08, 2021 9:40 pm 
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Puro Party wrote:
Have any idea when CDC and/or airlines will drop the testing requirement prior to air travel for those fully vaccinated?

I'm in the "prison" and really need some medicine soon. May have to go back out to TJ.

I got a feeling it will sometime after the Level 4 travel advisory is dropped.

"Do Not Travel: This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance."
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel ... isory.html

If you really need the testing requirement dropped before you travel, it may be TJ or HJ for some time. But really, no reason to fear the Q-Tip.

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