Cars lined up for free mobile COVID-19 testing at the YMCA in East Palo Alto on Thursday.
One resident named Sai came up from San Jose for the free test in the YMCA parking lot, where as many as 1200 people were tested.
“Just to get tested, yeah,” Sai said. “I was not feeling well a few days back. I just wanted to get tested.”
About 1200 people showed up to the Palo Alto YMCA to receive a COVID-19 test Thursday.Tim Ryan / KCBS Radio
Residents who received a test thought it would bring instant results to clear them for Christmas gatherings. But that’s not so, said James Becklund who works with Google testing arm Verily.
“I know (for) a lot of people, it’s still their very first time doing it,” Becklund said. “So people can come up very nervous. They’re a little worried both for their safety and also finding out some information about if they have a virus or not.”
He said the results can take up to 72 hours, so unfortunately there will not be a free pass for holiday get-togethers.
