TO THE TEST AS STILLWATER COVID-19 TESTING RAMPS UP, RESIDENTS CAN GET TESTED IN THREE SIMPLE STEPS
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How to Get a Coronavirus Test in Stillwater in Three Easy Steps Preston M oore, Staff reporter, @Oco lly
Stillwater has seen a large uptick in coronavirus cases since June began, for a number of reasons: OSU students are moving back to Stillwater, businesses are opening back up and citizens are failing to follow social distancing guidelines, and more. But one reason may be above all the others: testing. We’ve seen a massive increase in testing in Stillwater this month, as Payne County Health Department began providing free drive-up testing for anyone who makes an appointment — even the asymptomatic, including
myself. If you’re living in the Stillwater area and wondering whether or not you should get tested, or what the test entails, I’m here to walk you through it. Step 1: Your Booking You can get a free test, but not without an appointment. To book an appointment, call Payne County Health Department at (405) 372-8200. Beware, though, they’re only open MondayFriday from 8:00-5:00. When you call, listen to the answering machine and press the extension to request an operator. Once you’re on with an operator, you can request to get tested. They’ll collect your name, phone number and a code word. You may have to wait
a bit for your appointment; I called on Monday, June 15th and my test was Wednesday, June 17th at 1:10 p.m. Make sure you ask the location of your test, as they’ve given them in multiple places such as Will Rogers Elementary, Payne County Expo Center, and behind Stillwater Medical Center. Step 2: Your Test Once it’s time for your test, drive to the testing location (there may be a line depending on their schedule). Bring a mask to wear over your mouth while they test you! When it’s your turn, a nurse will approach you and ask for your name, appointment time and code word. They’ll also ask if you’ve come in
contact with a coronavirus patient and if you’re symptomatic. After that, they’ll give you a packet with information including the test procedure. They’ll also inform you on when you should receive your results. Then, the test. It’s a deep nasal swab similar to the flu test. The nurse will ask if you have a preferred nostril and then enter the swab up nostril until they feel resistance. For me, it wasn’t painful. Most patients simply describe it as “uncomfortable,” and I’d agree. The swab goes deep into your sinus, and although it doesn’t hurt, it is extremely unnerving and may cause your eyes to water. It may cause a headache, and your nos-
in Stillwater. Anyone can make an appointment to get a test for free, so if you’ve come in contact with someone who tested positive, it’s highly recommended you get a test yourself. Remember, if you’re experiencing coronavirus symptoms, follow CDC guidelines and immediately go into self-isolation until you can test positive. If you test positive, contact a doctor. For those of us that are asymptomatic, as we open up the city, let’s wear face coverings and follow social distancing guidelines for the sake of our wonderful community. It’s the right thing to do! It’s the Stillwater thing to do.
Photo by Martin Sanchez on Unsplash
COVID-19 testing is getting more accessable in Stillwater. FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2020
tril may burn for a few hours after the test, but it only takes 3-4 seconds at most. Step 3: Your Results At the test, I was told my results would come in on Monday, June 22nd, five days after my test. There was a holdup, and I received my results on the next day, Tuesday, June 23rd (I was negative!). If you miss your call (I did), you can call the health department back and provide them with your name and phone number, but you may have to wait a few more hours, so it’s best to have your phone on you at all times. Once the call comes in, they’ll ask for your code word and relay your results to you. And that’s the process
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Horoscope
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis
By Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Today’sBirthday (06/26/20). Work with a partner for amazing results this year. Shared finances grow with steady collaboration. Personal growth this summer deepens your romantic relationship to new levels. Allowing extra time for introspection this winter benefits your physical health and energy. Share what you love together. To get the advantage, check the day‚Äôs rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) ‚Äî Today is a 7 ‚Äî Choose stability over illusion. Prioritize your health, work and vitality. Slow down to reduce stress and lower risk. Stretch and meditate on an enticing dream. Taurus (April 20-May 20) ‚Äî Today is an 8 ‚Äî Gamble? Not today. Family comes first. Fantasies prove flimsy. Romantic dreams may not match reality. Find what you need nearby. Relax and wait for developments. Gemini (May 21-June 20) ‚Äî Today is a 7 ‚Äî Domestic realities don‚Äôt match the ideal or fantasy. Adapt your expectations to suit. Do what‚Äôs most important, quickly. Actions get results now. Make home improvements. Cancer (June 21-July 22) ‚Äî Today is an 8 ‚Äî Controversy and conspiracy theories abound. Don‚Äôt fund a fantasy. Verify data and facts. Thorough work gets rewarded. Look for the truth and find it. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) ‚Äî Today is an 8 ‚Äî Hold out for the best deal. Avoid distractions and silly arguments. Resist the temptation to splurge or spend frivolously. Focus on generating income. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) ‚Äî Today is a 9 ‚Äî Consider a new style or look to upgrade your image. Pamper yourself with personal time. Find gentle ways to take care of yourself. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) ‚Äî Today is a 7 ‚Äî Get quiet and listen. A dream is worth pursuing. Separate fact from fiction to determine which direction to choose. Aim for authenticity, goodness and truth. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) ‚Äî Today is an 8 ‚Äî A team dream appears within reach. Study options to advance. Learn from the competition. Connect with a wider circle for shared resources, collaboration and benefits. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) ‚Äî Today is an 8 ‚Äî Leave misconceptions behind. Words can deceive; run a reality check. Complications could arise. Allow extra time in the schedule. Pursue a professional challenge. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) ‚Äî Today is an 8 ‚Äî Study and research to get to the bottom of a controversy. The truth is revealed. Dig for valuable clues. Double-check data. Things fall into place. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) ‚Äî Today is an 8 ‚Äî Sort fantasy from reality with shared finances. Sift through numbers, facts and data for clarification. Check work for errors. Figure out what really matters. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) ‚Äî Today is a 7 ‚Äî Slow the action with your partner. Fantasies dissipate to reveal a hidden truth. Support each other through a change. Let the small stuff go. Relax.
FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2020
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Solution to Thursday’s puzzle
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk
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ACROSS 1 President before Wilson 5 Sign of shock 9 Classical inspiration for the 2004 film “Troy” 14 Another, in Mexico 15 __ ID 16 Chip in a bowl 17 Almost at 18 Long vehicle 19 It has no subs 20 Avian athletic contest? 23 Like a disciplinarian 24 Torque symbol, in mechanics 25 RV chain 28 Advanced degree for a gemologist? 33 Ominous 34 Destinies 35 Push-up targets 39 Not against the rules 42 Like a hairpin 43 Stretched circles? 45 Brewpub array 47 Metropolis, thanks to Superman? 52 Corrida cheer 53 Waze suggestion: Abbr. 54 Estée Lauder subsidiary 57 Flunk out ... and what three long answers do? 62 Problematic bacterium 64 The Mississippi forms its eastern border 65 Northern European capital 66 Singer nicknamed “The Velvet Fog” 67 Visible pollution 68 Comics icon Lee 69 Vast chasm 70 Sun dog, e.g. 71 Carry DOWN 1 Kitchen pickeruppers 2 Patronized, as a diner
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3 Like many museum paintings 4 Corrida star 5 Wide gap 6 “Dream on!” 7 Big rig 8 Stat relative 9 Highly annoyed 10 Having missed the deadline 11 Item of hockey equipment 12 Cry of discovery 13 Champagne title 21 Like much ’80s-’90s music 22 Half-__: coffee order 26 Wilson who voiced Lightning McQueen in “Cars” films 27 A new exec may hire one 29 Shop __ you drop 30 Hematite, for one 31 Fit for a queen 32 Yellow __ 35 Somewhat, to Schubert 36 Villainous
Thursday’s Puzzle Solved
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37 One in a Trivial Pursuit sextet 38 Slick 40 Big name in Islam 41 KFC selection 44 Military pilot’s missions 46 Heavy carpet 48 NBA foul shots 49 Magic charm 50 Jay Leno, for many years
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51 Starts 55 Key of Chopin’s “Minute Waltz” 56 In concert 58 “Slippery” trees 59 Capital SSE of Firenze 60 Nowhere to be found 61 “Aladdin” parrot 62 Pilot’s approx. 63 Corn discard
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