More empty promises
April 6 phone call, scientists told members of the WH Office of Science and Technology Policy there are issues with the availability and reliability of the antibody tests in the United States right now. cnn.com/2020/04/14/hea…
April 6 phone call, scientists told members of the WH Office of Science and Technology Policy there are issues with the availability and reliability of the antibody tests in the United States right now. cnn.com/2020/04/14/hea…
There are several layers of issues with the antibody tests
First, the FDA relaxed its rules, and now companies can sell antibody tests without submitting validation data that shows they actually work.
First, the FDA relaxed its rules, and now companies can sell antibody tests without submitting validation data that shows they actually work.
The Assoc of Public Health Labs says that has resulted in "crappy" tests flooding the market
“It's like the wild, wild West out there -- or wild East," said association CEO Scott Becker, a reference to the fact that at least half the companies making these tests are in China.
“It's like the wild, wild West out there -- or wild East," said association CEO Scott Becker, a reference to the fact that at least half the companies making these tests are in China.
Cluster fuq
There has been concern that some of the tests might confuse the coronavirus causing the current pandemic with one of several coronaviruses that cause the common cold
"Lots of tests confuse the two,"
The tests would then end up telling people they had antibodies to
There has been concern that some of the tests might confuse the coronavirus causing the current pandemic with one of several coronaviruses that cause the common cold
"Lots of tests confuse the two,"
The tests would then end up telling people they had antibodies to
the pandemic coronavirus when they didn't and people might think they're immune when they're not
Results from antibody tests shld be viewed as suspect until rigorous controls are perf and performance charact described and most so far have not described well-standardized controls
Results from antibody tests shld be viewed as suspect until rigorous controls are perf and performance charact described and most so far have not described well-standardized controls
Second, there are good tests in the midst of the bad ones, but they're not yet widely and easily available throughout the country.
Third, it's not entirely clear that having antibodies to Covid-19 means that you truly have immunity and won't get the disease again.
Third, it's not entirely clear that having antibodies to Covid-19 means that you truly have immunity and won't get the disease again.
