Now that Biden’s COVID tests are finally live, that’s all well and good. However, there is just one small problem. Not all Americans can get them…
You see, Biden started rolling out the official COVID testing websites in the middle of January, and Americans on that Tuesday started placing orders for free Covid tests that had been promised by the Biden Administration after the Biden team even rolled out their website a day earlier than expected. However, if you were expecting Joe to be efficient at something, you have another thing coming. Many individuals were complaining on social media that they weren’t able to order the tests.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki quickly did some damage control, saying the website, covidtests.gov, was still in its testing phase and should be ready to officially launch that coming Wednesday. She also noted that orders noted during the website’s testing phase were still valid and would be shipped.
Of course, every residential address is limited to just four tests. Additionally, the White House said last week that it was capping the amount of tests that people could order so that there would be broad access to the program.
You can order a test here: https://www.covidtests.gov/
All a user has to do is click on “order free at-home tests” and the website will direct them to a Postal Service form where they can complete their order. They will have to submit a name and address before they are able to check out.
The U.S. Postal Service said that they will ship the tests 7 to 12 days after the orders are placed, as noted by the Biden Administration. The website said the following Tuesday that orders were going to ship out at the end of January.
There were several users who said the website was simple and easy to use, but others said that it was difficult, especially those who live in apartment buildings.
The Postal Service noted that addresses registered as multi-unit buildings could lead to difficulties placing orders. However, those that experience problems should file a service request at emailus.usps.com/s/the-postal-store-inquiry or call their help desk at 1-800-ASK-USPS.
“Every website launch, in our view, comes with risk,” Psaki said to reporters during a Tuesday White House briefing. “We can’t guarantee there won’t be a bug or two. But the best tech teams across the administration and the Postal Service are working hard to make this a success,” she said.
The White House launched this website after they were facing a public outcry over the widespread testing shortages that had occurred during the busy holiday travel season as this highly contagious Omicron variant was sweeping the country. There were pharmacies large and small that were struggling to keep at-home tests in stock as the demand continued to surge.
Biden claimed that the administration has at least one billion at-home tests to distribute to Americans for free, and the Defense Department continues to award contracts for the tests and is coordinating it with the Department of Health and Human Services. No word yet on what Biden is planning on doing for those who have been blocked from getting the test, though.
