Q: The tests for coronavirus are currently not being distributed to hospitals or individual healthcare providers. If your doctor determines that you meet the criteria for testing, they will contact your local health department and will give you further instructions on when and where you should go for testing.  Be sure to arrive at the lab at the specified time. Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, there are no special pre-test instructions you have to follow. The primary tests for coronavirus are nasopharyngeal (nose) and oropharyngeal (throat) swabs. During these tests, try to hold as still as possible while the technician uses a swab to collect samples from both areas. While you might experience some discomfort, the test shouldn't be painful. The technician will have to hold the swabs at the back of your nose and throat for 5-10 seconds, which may feel slightly uncomfortable. If you have a productive cough, the lab may request a sputum sample. To provide this sample, first you'll rinse out your mouth with water, then you'll cough up a sample into a sterile collection cup. In rare cases, such as if you're experiencing severe respiratory distress, you may have a saline solution sprayed into your lungs in order to obtain a sputum sample. However, this is not common for people with only mild symptoms. Once you've provided the appropriate samples, the laboratory will package and ship your sample to the CDC or an approved lab overnight. The sample will then be tested, and you will be notified as soon as the results are available. The original lab may do initial testing to rule out another respiratory illness. If they determine you do have another condition, they may rule out coronavirus immediately, although these guidelines may change as more is learned about the disease. There's currently no treatment or cure for coronavirus. However, your doctor may recommend treatments to help relieve your symptoms and prevent them from getting worse, so be sure to follow their recommendations closely. If your symptoms become severe, such as if you experience severe difficulty breathing, your doctor may recommend that you be hospitalized so you can receive more intensive treatment. If you're ill, stay home except to go to your doctor, and try to stay isolated in a separate room from other family members. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue any time you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue away.  Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and sanitize the surfaces in your home to avoid spreading germs to others. If you're sick, wear a face mask to avoid spreading the virus to others. However, do not rely on a face mask to keep you from getting sick if you're healthy.
A: Visit the appropriate lab as directed by your doctor. Allow the technician to swab your nose and throat. Provide a sputum sample if it's requested. Wait for the test results. Follow the treatment plan advised by your doctor if you test positive. Take precautions to avoid spreading the illness.

Q: Assigning is very similar to subleasing, but subleasing is only temporary and usually for a short period of time. With subleases, the original tenant is intended to return to the residence. When you assign your lease, you permanently sign over your residence to another tenant. Landlords may prefer a lease assignment over a sublet.  Advertise your listing and come up with a handful of names for your landlord. This way, your landlord can choose the best candidate to live on his or her property. Both you and the assignee are responsible for the terms and conditions of the lease. You can request your landlord to release you from these responsibilities in writing. Make sure that you, the new tenant, and your landlord all sign a document stating that the new tenant is now responsible for paying rent, and that you are released from any obligation under the lease. If you do not sign an agreement with the new tenant, they could leave the residence and you would still be obligated to pay the rent that was left unpaid, as well as cover any damages. If your landlord knowingly accepts rent from the assignee, s/he is generally required to honor a lease assignment even if s/he did not give permission for it. If your landlord will not allow a new tenant to completely wipe out your obligation to pay if the new tenant does not pay, make sure that you sign a separate agreement with the new tenant. Although you would still be responsible to your landlord for any unpaid rent, you could sue the new tenant for the unpaid rent. You may be surprised that your landlord is willing to work with you and help you. Before burning bridges, it's best to try an honest, straightforward conversation. Especially if you live in an area with a lot of demand for rentals, your landlord may be willing to just let you off the hook. It never hurts to ask!  Explain your situation. For example, if you have gotten a new job or your family is growing, your landlord may be sympathetic to your new situation and agree to let you out of the lease. Offer to pay the next one or two months' rent to help their cash flow. This allows him or her more time to find a renter, or to renovate the residence so they can increase their earnings. Additionally, for a fee (usually one month’s rent) many landlords will help you find someone to assign your lease for the rest of the lease term. If you don’t know your landlord, that’s not a good sign. If requests for information are met with refusal or silence, consider ending your lease based on their lack of responsiveness and clarity. Get any agreement in writing, preferably notarized. Oral agreements are very hard to prove in court, should anything go wrong. Most landlords hesitate to let someone out of a lease because they feel they will lose money while searching for a new tenant. You can lessen their hesitation by helping find a tenant to replace you when you move out. In most states, landlords have an obligation to “mitigate damages” when a lease is broken. This includes a responsibility for them to re-rent a residence if you leave a lease early.  For example, if you want to get out of a lease that has five months left on it, your landlord cannot simply let the property sit empty for those five months and then sue you for back rent. S/he must take reasonable steps to re-rent the residence.  If your landlord has to rent the residence for a lower price than your rent, you will likely be responsible for paying the difference. If it takes a few weeks for the landlord to find a new tenant, you will likely be required to pay prorated rent for those weeks.  If you can find another tenant to rent the residence, your landlord may be happy to let you leave. A buyout clause is a section of your lease that allows you to legally end your lease (usually for a certain amount of money and with adequate notification). Carefully read your lease to see what options you have.  If you cannot find your lease, your landlord is required to give you a copy upon request. Other wording for this type of clause includes “early termination” or “early release.”  Use caution when taking this route.–It may end up costing you a lot of money in the end. If your landlord will not work with you reasonably, try finding an attorney who will review the contract for you before you agree to a buyout clause.  S/he may be able to find legal issues with the contract or with the residence that will allow legal contract termination. Also keep in mind that landlords who wish to avoid a court case may negotiate with an attorney more seriously than with their tenant.
A:
Assign your lease. Work with your landlord on an agreement. Help your landlord find a new tenant. Remind your landlord that they have a duty to re-rent. Look for a buyout clause. Contact an attorney.