State lawmaker introduces bill to make rapid testing more accessible to public

BOSTON — In the next few weeks and months, we will see more industries opening at full capacity, but that doesn’t mean the pandemic is over.

One of the things, along with the vaccines, that will help get things back to normal is testing. In bill HD3452, state lawmakers want to make rapid testing free or at reduced prices.

Over the last year, you may have waited in long lines and drive-throughs to get a test. You may have even gone to the pharmacy to buy your own over the counter. As things start to reopen, everyone having equal access to regular rapid testing will be crucial in making sure we don’t go backward.

“There are still so many communities, particularly by POC and immigrant communities, that still

have low vaccination rates, and our young people, our students have not been vaccinated yet either,” said Rep. Tami Gouveia a Democrat who represents the 14th Middlesex District.

>>>MORE: Not everyone ready to go mask-free in MA

“I know people who have been out of work and out of school for a total of five days while waiting to access the PCR test and then get the actual test results back. What this means is that we’re unnecessarily having people quarantine, missing days of work and days of school and other activities when what they could be using, what we could be using statewide, is a rapid antigen test.”

Gouveia introduced the bill statewide that will use already acquired federal dollars to buy enough rapid tests for major businesses, churches, schools and stores to administer regular tests.

These tests can cost as much as $40 each, which is just another barrier for getting people tested, regardless of if they’ve been vaccinated.

“Vaccination decreases your chances of developing severe disease requiring hospitalization and death,” said the associate chair of Pathology at Newton Wellesley Hospital, Michael Misialek. “It doesn’t prevent 100% from infection, so patients can still acquire a very mild or asymptomatic infection and carry it not even knowing about it.”

To decide which organizations will be prioritized, the bill says there will be an 18-member advisory board.

“I think there are ways to safely gather, and one way that’s been proven through other states and venues is rapid testing at the point of entry, and that’s something I think we should seriously consider,” Misialek said.

If this bill passes, Massachusetts can stay ahead of the curve, literally.

>>>MORE: Policy decisions loom on issues tied to emergency’s end

“We’re going to probably be fine through the summer months, but my concern is that as we enter into the fall and to into the winter, that will see COVID rates start to go up,” Gouveia said.

“We’re going to start to potentially see more cases of the variants breaking through vaccine immunity, and then we’re going to see a call for restrictions again. So, the idea with this legislation is to open our economy safely and then keep it open.”

Follow Wale on Facebook: WaleAliyuTV Twitter: @WaleAliyu or Instagram: WaleAliyuTV

Download the free Boston 25 News app for up-to-the-minute push alerts

>> Complete Covid-19 vaccine coverage

RESOURCES:

- Complete local and national coronavirus coverage here

- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Watch Boston 25 NOW

- Download our free apps for your phone and smart TV