You seem to have the same chance of being able to buy a COVID-19 rapid test kit in Alberta as winning the $50-million Lotto Max jackpot on Friday..Social media users have been tweeting their frustration about the lack of the kits on pharmacy shelves..Even the Alberta government’s own website appears to have given up and has not be updated since last year..Premier Jason Kenney tweeted on December 17 that 8.5 million tests were made available to Albertans, each kit including 5 tests..The first-come first-serve system quickly ran dry, leaving many frustrated and unable to obtain kits..Cambrian Pharmacy in Calgary said after receiving approximately 430 rapid test kits on December 17, all were gone within an hour of opening the next morning..“It’s so frustrating. Everybody keeps phoning; they have the whole list from A to Z of all the pharmacies everywhere in Edmonton. They are phoning everywhere and we are all out. All the pharmacies are out,” Edmonton pharmacy owner.Ghada Haggag told CBC. .The new rapid testing distribution program encouraged everyone to obtain and test under Alberta health guidelines, even though the tests themselves say they are not designed for at-home use..Albertans ran to Twitter to show disappointment with the hyped new COVID-19 action..“You said 8.5 million rapid tests, any pharmacy does not even have 8 pieces of these test kit since 10 days… are you kidding???” said DLamichhane @proxyDep..“Take a rapid test when available” — there’s literally no tests available in the province right now Jason,” said Amanda @myfriend_amanda..Ewa Sudyk is a reporter with the Western Standard..esudyk@westernstandardonline.com
