Observations from taking a COVID test (I'm fine, this is for the COVID symptom study):

It is really easy to get a home test. I went to the site, tests were available, and I got one. It was delivered by Amazon in under 24 hours.

The test itself is not exactly easy to complete; I don't know how people are managing it in their cars (since it says it's the same kit). I was not clear on where exactly to swab, and it is really easy while concentrating to nearly lick the swab while trying to find your tonsils.

The box did not fold up properly and will spring apart the second they break the security seal. Good luck, chaps!

You're told not to cover the biohazard label, but the postage label is so big you can't possibly manage that unless you put the postage on the bottom. Shrug. I did.

You have to take it to a priority postbox. For me the only one I can reach on foot is the one outside the post office, which is also a busy cornershop. This seems suboptimal.

I get out of puff walking there as a well person with asthma. I don't want to imagine if I was coughing.

I wore a mask as a courtesy.

One person either knew the test kit themselves or saw the biohazard label. I have rarely seen someone achieve that level of anxious sprinting, kudos to you, lady. You were too close before you noticed, so thank you.

Two separate groups did not clock the test kit and were jeering about the mask. "Here in [small residential area outside Barnsley]? What's the need?" one woman said, very loudly.

Probably she is the sort of resident who used to tut about my hair when it was bright blue. Meh.

All in all, relatively painless, but I'm not sure I actually produced a viable test, and I can just imagine the "oops! well, that doesn't matter!" versions people without lab experience are producing...

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