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Free COVID Tests Are Back. Here's How To Order A Test To Your Home

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans can once again order COVID-19 tests, without being charged, sent straight to their homes.

The U.S. Government reopened the program on Thursday, allowing any household to order up to four at-home COVID nasal swab kits through the website, covidtests.Gov. The tests will begin shipping, via the United States Postal Service, as soon as next week.

"Before you visit with your family and friends this holiday season, take a quick test and help keep them safe from COVID-19," Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O'Connell said in a statement.

The website has been reopened on the heels of a summer COVID-19 virus wave and heading into the fall and winter respiratory virus season, with health officials urging Americans to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine and their yearly flu shot.

U.S. Regulators approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine that is designed to combat the recent virus strains and, they hope, forthcoming winter ones, too. Vaccine uptake is waning, however. Most Americans have some immunity from prior infections or vaccinations, but under a quarter of U.S. Adults took last fall's COVID-19 shot.

Using the swab, people can detect current virus strains ahead of the fall and winter respiratory virus season and the holidays. Over-the-counter COVID-19 at-home tests typically cost around $11, as of last year. Insurers are no longer required to cover the cost of the tests.

If you already have COVID-19 tests at home, check the expiration date on the box. Many of the tests have been given an extended expiration from the date listed on the box. You can check on the Food and Drug Administration's website to see if that's the case for any of your remaining tests at home.

There's no cost for households requesting the tests, but U.S. Taxpayers have already paid a significant amount for the testing program.

Since COVID-19 first began its spread in 2020, the U.S. Government has poured billions of dollars into developing and purchasing COVID-19 tests as well as vaccines. The Biden administration has given out 1.8 billion COVID-19 tests, including half distributed to households by mail. It's unclear how many tests the government still has on hand.

U.S. Restarts Free COVID Test Program

THURSDAY, Sept. 26, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Starting today, the U.S. Government is offering another round of free COVID tests.

"U.S. Households will be eligible to order 4 free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.Gov," according to the Department of Health and Human Services. "The COVID-19 tests will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year."

More than 900 million such tests have already been distributed to help folks get tested and treated earlier, and to perhaps keep them from spreading COVID to others.

If you've never tested for COVID before, the nasal swab kits are easy to use.

"At-home COVID tests can be taken at home or in other locations and typically provide results within 30 minutes or less," according to the HHS.  "COVID tests can be administered to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals."

Testing may come in handy as gatherings for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas push people into close proximity.

"The best plan going into this winter is for everyone to remain vigilant, to use the tools we have: vaccines, testing, treatment against the illnesses responsible for the majority of fall and winter deaths and hospitalizations," Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Friday, CNN reported.

And don't forget vaccines.

The latest, strain-specific formulation of COVID vaccine is now available, in both the RNA form (Moderna and Pfizer) or Novavax' protein-based alternative.

The mRNA vaccines target the KP.2 'FLiRT' variant, which has been a dominant strain since late spring, while Novavax' shot targets JN.1, which is still around but perhaps less dominant than in months past.

All vaccines are available at pharmacies nationwide, and it's fine to get a COVID and flu shot simultaneously, experts say.

More information

Find out more about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID vaccines at cdc.Gov.

SOURCE: HHS.Gov

The Biden administration will soon restart its program to deliver four free COVID tests to any household that requests them.

Fresh Sashimi & Donburi At Coffee Shop 2 Years After Closure

Fresh Japanese food is often expensive and found only in restaurants. What if I told you you could get the same fare in a coffee shop? That's right, located in Da Sun Food House near Lavender MRT is Otoko Ten Ten, where you can enjoy fresh and affordable Japanese cuisine. 

Otoko Ten Ten - Storefront

Formerly located at Food Village Kopitiam in Punggol, Otoko Ten Ten was initially a test of the reception to Japanese cuisine in a coffee shop. After an immensely positive response in the first 4 months, owner Chef David decided to relocate his stall to Flavours@UTown in NUS. Fast forward a year later and Chef David opened his second Otoko Ten Ten outlet at Lavender. 

With over 13 years in the restaurant business, Chef David prides himself on serving restaurant-quality food, even at a coffee shop. To give character to his dishes, he makes all his sauces from scratch, and doesn't believe in store-bought, processed ingredients. 

Otoko Ten Ten - Menu Items

As Otoko Ten Ten at NUS is catered primarily to students, the menu focuses on donburis and curry rice, and serves only salmon sashimi. Unlike the menu at NUS, Otoko Ten Ten in Lavender will include premium sashimi selections to mimic a Japanese restaurant. Rest assured, their extensive menu of fresh sashimi, sashimi donburis and grilled donburis, will still be priced affordably!

Chef David emphasised their menu gives diners the freedom to customise their sashimi selections. Furthermore, he states that diners can pre-order premium soured sashimi items from Japan. This is a treat if you are looking to spoil yourself! 

Tori Nanban Donburi - Presentation

Otoko Ten Ten also offers takeout, including of their sashimi range.

I sampled their 2 signature donburi bowls and a premium selection of Salmon (S$10) and Hotate/Scallop (S$15) Sashimi. The presentation of the donburi bowls uncannily mimicked a restaurant setting, served with a bowl of their miso soup and 2 slices of fruit. 

Salmon and Hotate Sashimi - Closeup

With my first few bites of salmon and scallop sashimi, I could immediately taste the immense freshness running through my palette. Served on a layer of ice, it made me feel like I was at a Japanese restaurant for a split second.

Chef David - Cutting Salmon Sashimi

The first bowl I indulged in was their Bara Chirashi Don (S$13.90). Watching Chef David slice each piece of fish up with such precision and finesse, I knew I was in for a treat. The pieces of mixed fish were tossed in a homemade sauce. 

Otoko Ten Ten - Bara Chirashi

Unlike at some restaurants, the pieces were very generously chunky. The room-temperature rice mixed with the pieces of fish, cucumber and tobiko was the perfect bite, radiating a sweet and savoury note from the homemade sauce. I just wish there was a bit more sauce coating the fish. 

Otoko Ten Ten - Tori Nanban Donburi

The last bowl I had was their signature Tori Nanban Donburi (S$9.90) which Chef David says is a rarity in Singapore. He also stated that traditionally in Japan, this dish would be served in the "Teishoku" style. This means to present on a tray, with the rice and chicken separated, and an array of small side dishes.

The Otoko Ten Ten way, however, is in the donburi style. 

On top of the rice was a thin layer of teriyaki sauce. The chicken was lightly marinated in sweet and sour Japanese sauce, finished with their homemade egg tartar sauce, noticeably containing diced eggs. 

Otoko Ten Ten - Chicken Marinade

Taking a bite out of the chicken, I found it perfectly tender and fried to perfection, complementing the sweetness of the marinade. The homemade tartar sauce was rich but not too overpowering, and it was a symphony of perfectly matched flavours running through every bite. To me, this was the highlight of my experience. 

So if you are a fan of Japanese cuisine like I am, you will not want to miss out on Otoko Ten Ten! Head down and support Chef David at his new stall at Lavender for an affordable, authentic Japanese experience! 

The post Fresh sashimi & donburi at coffee shop 2 years after closure appeared first on SETHLUI.Com.

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