General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFailing the Coronavirus-Testing Test
We need to change the whole script of what it means to test people, he says. In our country, we have always assumed that testing belongs in the clinical sphere, in the diagnostic sphere, and has to be run by laboratories or diagnosticians. The result is that we have a system for coronavirus testing
which is flailing, with raging outbreaks occurring. What the country needs instead are rapid tests, widely deployed, so that infectious individuals can be readily self-identified and isolated, breaking the chain of transmission.
To do that, Mina says, everyone must be tested, every couple of days, with $1, paper-based, at-home tests that are as easy to distribute and use as a pregnancy test: wake up in the morning, add saliva or nasal mucous to a tube of chemicals, wait 15 minutes, then dip a paper strip in the tube, and read the results. Such tests are feasiblea tiny company called E25Bio, and another called Sherlock Biosciences (a start-up spun out of Harvards Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and the Broad Institute in 2019) can deliver such testsbut they have not made it to the marketplace because their sensitivity is being compared to that of PCR tests.
https://harvardmagazine.com/2020/08/covid-19-test-for-public-health
Baitball Blogger
(46,700 posts)had an hour of training to stick a swab up my nostrils.
So, yeah, home tests would work for me.
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)But, that brings up, ummm...
Anyone tested those pregnancy testers in Dollar Tree? The ones right next to the marijuana tests. Seem like jokes to me.
Any women (or boyfriends...) here who would actually use one of those?
Nictuku
(3,605 posts)I didn't realize it until I had to face the decisions that I can't put this off. I have to go.
The thought of someone in my face like that, who has been in the face of other people (without masks... can't wear a mask when getting dental work obviously)... it is freaking me out.
I have COPD and Lupus. I live with a 79 year old mom who is diabetic. We have been VERY careful. I work at home and go to the store once every 2-3 weeks.
I know they will be masked. I know I will be able to wait in the car until it is my turn. They have updated their A/C and filters. I'm still freaked out. And it is all about the testing.
Even if they were tested, you don't get the results for a week or more.
I'm angry about the lack of testing. There is no way this economy will ever recover unless and until the public has confidence that they are not going to catch their death when they go about their lives.