Orange, it is not just 4 tests. Starting Jan 15, insurance is supposed to reimburse everyone for several tests a month. It is a somewhat INSANE idea to make it go through insurance companies instead of government paying CVS directly – so that people are deterred by paperwork and paying upfront. It is a DOUBLE INSANE idea to see the problem growing in December and announce reimbursement from mid-January. I understand that in Europe these tests are all over the place, free or a couple of euros. If money is an issue with such large volumes, maybe make these tests accept batches from families, if this can work.
Same goes with masks – 3M seem to sell 60 N95 masks for under $50. Why are they not all over the place already and were waiting for the website to be built.