the vice president is being monitored we're told as she continues to get regular covid tests. she tested negative by the way early this morning. all of this comes as many americans are scrambling to get a covid-19 test. and they often are facing some very real problems simply trying to get the tests. let's go to brian todd outside here in washington, d.c. brian, you have a lot of good information about covid tests to share with our viewers wax are you -- what are you learning. >> reporter: people are up against two big obstacles. confusion eefr which test to get and a shortage at pharmacy stores like this cvs. this is not ideal as the omicron variant really takes hold. from california to d.c., the lines of people waiting to get free covid tests, many of them unable to buy test kits in stores are now extending around city blocks. and to say patience is wearing thin is putting it mildly.