Thread by @michaelmina_lab

Just on w @RTE_PrimeTime about rapid tests

Surprised at lack of trust the government has in the Irish ppl

Instead of supporting access to simple at-home tests to tell if u r infectious, position appears to be to limit access bc they don't trust ppl to handle a negative test

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https://twitter.com/RTE_PrimeTime/status/1392221067536703493

We do not defeat a pandemic without properly engaging & trusting in the public

To actively advocate against an asymptomatic person to be able to access a rapid test that has a very high sensitivity to tell you if you are spreading the virus doesn't make sense.

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Similarly to actively want to force symptomatic ppl to NOT have access to at-home tests bc u want ensure they get a much less accessible PCR test isn't good policy. Do we want symptomatic ppl leaving home to get PCR tests?? A rapid test is accessible and fast.

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Overall though, there seems to be confusion among decision makers in Ireland that these tests are not sensitive

Rapid tests do a very good job at detecting you **when you are infectious** - which is what matters if you are using a rapid test.

Why is this still a question?

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To be clear - this confusion is global confusion. it's taken a year of discussions and far too many publications and OpEds for US FDA and CDC to begin to understand that for identifying infectiousness and limiting spread, speed and frequency are most important.

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If rapid test is positive and symptomatic - done deal. Government should set up voluntary single click phone-based reporting. If someone won't use the reporting b/c they don't want to be traced, they probably wouldn't have gotten the PCR too. Better to know than not know

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