The Democratic talking point of “Trump is bad because he hasn’t made more tests available” is not only wrong but misses the point.
There is no perfect test, especially an antibody test.
And interpreting results can be confusing & unhelpful.
Here are the facts.
(Thread)
There is no perfect test, especially an antibody test.
And interpreting results can be confusing & unhelpful.
Here are the facts.
(Thread)
Let’s focus on antibody tests.
They’re the basis for the dangerous proposal to issue “immunity passports.”
The assumption is that if you’ve been exposed, you’re immune from further infection and can go back to work or normal life.
But that idea is flat out wrong, for now.
They’re the basis for the dangerous proposal to issue “immunity passports.”
The assumption is that if you’ve been exposed, you’re immune from further infection and can go back to work or normal life.
But that idea is flat out wrong, for now.
STAT News summed up the issues nicely:
- Some available antibody tests have not even been validated.
- Even those that have been can still provide false results.
- An accurate positive test is, for now, wickedly hard to interpret.
statnews.com/2020/04/20/eve…
- Some available antibody tests have not even been validated.
- Even those that have been can still provide false results.
- An accurate positive test is, for now, wickedly hard to interpret.
statnews.com/2020/04/20/eve…
1) Validation:
The FDA has rushed through a few antibody tests. Good news? Not so fast.
Regulators are warning that the tests may vary in their accuracy because of the rush job.
Ex: FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn has said that he’s “concerned” about the quality of these tests.
The FDA has rushed through a few antibody tests. Good news? Not so fast.
Regulators are warning that the tests may vary in their accuracy because of the rush job.
Ex: FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn has said that he’s “concerned” about the quality of these tests.
2) False Results:
Even the best tests will generate some false positives and false negatives.
This could lead to false hope (or fears) for sufferers, and horrific policy decisions by political leaders who may over or under react.
All because tHe TeSt SAiD sO! hysteria.
Even the best tests will generate some false positives and false negatives.
This could lead to false hope (or fears) for sufferers, and horrific policy decisions by political leaders who may over or under react.
All because tHe TeSt SAiD sO! hysteria.
3) Interpretation:
Even if we have COVID-19 antibodies, scientists can’t say for sure what levels might be necessary for immunity or how long the antibodies — & related immunity — might last.
Even then, each person’s body will respond differently.
It’s just too soon to know.
Even if we have COVID-19 antibodies, scientists can’t say for sure what levels might be necessary for immunity or how long the antibodies — & related immunity — might last.
Even then, each person’s body will respond differently.
It’s just too soon to know.
None of this matters to @davidaxelrod. Nor does it to the journalists & Democrats hitting Trump for a lack of tests.
Instead, the goal is to politicize the pandemic to take down the president.
They failed with the Russia investigation and impeachment.
So now it’s the virus.
Instead, the goal is to politicize the pandemic to take down the president.
They failed with the Russia investigation and impeachment.
So now it’s the virus.
Bottom line: Getting America back to normal cannot depend exclusively on testing.
Let’s use tests, of course. But let’s also be clear on their failings.
Meanwhile, let’s also be clear that Democrats & Resistance journalists are using testing as cudgel to advance partisan goals.
Let’s use tests, of course. But let’s also be clear on their failings.
Meanwhile, let’s also be clear that Democrats & Resistance journalists are using testing as cudgel to advance partisan goals.
