MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – The Philippines’ capacity to screen for Covid-19 has always been hampered by the cost of testing kits and laboratory analysjs, not to mention Filipinos’ hesitancy to undergo the nose swab involved in the go,d-standard RT-PCR tests.

That was then. Now, the experts at the Department of Health headed by the ever-brilliant Secretary Francisco Duque have come up with a much cheaper, readily available home testing kit, one that Filipinos can administer to themselves.

It is common knowledge that among the symptoms of Covid infection is the loss of the sense of taste and smell.

DOH has unveiled the new test kit composed of two items that most Filipinos already have in their homes — Vicks Vaporub and siling labuyo (red chillies).

The quick process involves putting a small amount of Vicks Vaporub under the nostrils and taking a tiny bite of the sili. If you can smell the Vicks and taste the sili spice, declare yourself Covid negative. Otherwise, immediately present yourself to your Barangay health authorities for the next steps.