Note to self....Trying to fly internationally during Covid is just not worth it.
After multiple calls, emails that wouldn't go through, and more calls, I finally got my Covid test about an hour before leaving in a rental car to drive to JFK. A drive that is nominally 4-4.5hrs took 6. So much for reduced traffic.
Then I sat by the counter waiting for them to open. This was around 7pm, for a 01:25 departure. People finally showed up and they started informally checking paperwork visas (I had to apply for a special exception visa), etc. I showed them my Covid test results and all sorts of discussion ensued. Long story short, they wouldn't accept it because it only had my name on it, and not also my passport number or birth date. To their credit, they spend 2 hrs back and forth on the phone with the Taiwan CDC, but it wasn't to be. I waited as long as I could before the car rentals closed, then pulled the plug rather than be stuck in JFK overnight. Rented another car, and drove home. Got back at about 04:00.
Looking back at everything I had to do for this trip, from special visas, letters of invitation and proof of business relationship, lining up a quarantine hotel, private car because you can't use public transportation, covid tests where you need results in 24hrs, but nobody will guarantee that, and nobody seems to do it, trip reschedules, more covid tests, reschedule other appointments around a moving trip schedule, renting a car, driving to JFK. And then committing to a 2 week quarantine before the visit really begins. In hind sight, it's just not worth it. Find another way.
I've already done two video inspections where I guided them around with a camera on skype. Not as good as being there, but so far a three hour investment vs a month. I'll do a few more of those, and do drill down inspections on a few other areas.