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With the fall semester right around the corner, students across the nation will have to get tested for COVID-19. This new option sounds *a lot* more appealing. Rutgers University has come up with a new COVID-19 test! It is as simple as spitting into a cup. Way less painful and frightening than the original test, where a long swab is shoved deep into your nose, the spit test removes all the worries of the dreaded COVID-19 test. The old swab test, known as the "nasopharyngeal swab," caused teary eyes, sneezing, coughing and long wait times for results; however, these can hopefully now become problems of the past. 

The Rutgers saliva test for COVID-19 has been approved by the FDA for home and personal use. The first of its kind, this test is a game changer in the fight against the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/52A4TLZ7Za

— Rutgers University–New Brunswick (@RutgersNB) May 11, 2020

Additionally, an article was written by the New York Times that said that the saliva test is an overall safer testing option because, with this test, users will not have to come in contact with healthcare workers who are more exposed to the virus.  Not to mention, the saliva test is allegedly more accurate than the swab test, "The swabs are known to produce false negatives, perhaps in part because of errors by health care workers under stress. The saliva test appeared to be more consistent and accurate over a longer period of time, detecting infections even after the amounts of the virus have waned, than the swab," the Times said. 

Dr. Anne Wyllie of the Yale School of Public Health also found in the video below that the swab test produced false negatives. She said that says that "in a number of cases they were coming back negative when we tested with the nasopharyngeal swab, but they were still testing positive when we were testing their saliva." This test also found that the saliva test was able to catch COVID-19 faster than the swab test, further proving the importance of the saliva test creation. 

After speaking with two college students who have both done the swab and saliva tests, we found that both students would much rather choose the spit in a cup test as opposed to the swab. Bailey Klemm, a sophomore at Syracuse University who needs to get tested every week for work said, "I think that the spit is better. The OG swab is so scary and honestly looks like it hurts. Before I knew I could get the spit, I was really hesitant about getting tested. This option took that fear away." Ethan Lewis, a junior at Columbia University, said he would describe the nasopharyngeal swab test "like a strep throat test for your nose." He added, "I'd rather do the spit in a cup test because you don't have to come in contact with a healthcare worker, and you receive your results quicker."

Image: Twitter.com/vortexmarketstudies

Both the CDC and FDA's websites have crucial information regarding how we can access the spit tests, and how you can know if it's available in your state. The CDC's website says that decisions made about testing are a result of decisions made by your local state and health officials and providers. The FDA has currently authorized the use of viral tests that allow you todo do a saliva test at home. These tests *do* need to be ordered by a doctor so when you order the test online you will have virtual contact with a doctor. However, if you feel sick and have symptoms of COVID-19 both the CDC and FDA *strongly* advise you to stay home. 

It's comforting news that a new option for testing exists! Our frontline heroes are working *very* hard every day to find an even better test than the ones already developed. We applaud their work each and every day!

Research: New York Times 

by Hayley Miller | 7/29/2020