Many of my coworkers took the test over the past month simply because they had one at home, and then took the week off.

I believe they did so because they simply didn't want to come into work after the hectic holidays.

This in turn supports the narrative of the current administration, and is why they were trying to send out free tests.

Are people dying from the vaccines? Yes. Though these deaths are just low enough as to be hidden from the mainstream news cycle and continue their narrative.