Your story doesn’t make any sense. Rapid tests have been available in America since at least the spring. Also you said you were going in September and Memorial Day is in May.
I can say that in my area of the US, the only tests that could be found were PCR, 2-3 days for results.
Labor day. The tests are "available" but not available anywhere nearby for us. PCR only (maybe they're actually available now, but they weren't then.)
Anyways I really need to stop posting to HN in the AM before I've had enough coffee... I make too many half-brained stupid mistakes.
That's what I get for posting in the morning. Good catch.