Should I Get Tested for Covid Before Visiting Family?

The answer is NO. According to the CDC, a negative result for Covid testing "only means that you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing." The average incubation period for the virus is about five days. But still, it can take up to 14 days for it to incubate. In other words, if you went to a social gathering over the weekend or a week before Christmas, you can carry the virus all the way from your home to your family even though you get a negative test result. You could also contact the virus during testing or travel and spread it to your loved ones.

The most reliable way to make sure you are Covid-free is to fully quarantine (no grocery shopping or any contact with the outside world) for 14 days and drive up to your family without any contact with others on the way. But this strategy is more ideal than practical.