Thread by @Mark_Lorch

Bad news, #COVID has reached chez Lorch, via the plague pits that are our schools.

Good news, I get to do some experiments with #LFTs & +ve samples

Experiment number 1, how does swabbing influence LFT results? 🧵 🪡 1/n

The left LFT was carried out as per instructions. I wasn’t sure if I could see a T line, so I immediately repeated the test & doubled the rotations up each nostril. & left the swab in buffer for 5 min. Now the T line (right) is clearly present 2/n

Whilst doing the 2nd test I noticed the T line on the 1st test was getting stronger. At 30min I wasn’t sure if I could see it, but after 2hrs it had developed into a faint but clear line. 3/n

Expt 2: Back in summer I wrote about how +ve LFTs can be faked with acidic beverages.

theconversation.com/covid-19-kids-…

So I was interested to see the difference between fake & true +ve test. The lines in the true +ve are much sharper. 4/n

In the article I wrote about how the fake +ve T line faded if you add buffer to the LFT. Folks asked what happens if I add fresh buffer to a true +ve. I predicted the true T line would be unaffected. And I was right. 5/n

I’ve also been tracking spread through the house.

1st symptoms in 15y/o (unvaccinated) on day 1.

12y/o (unvaccinated) tested +ve & developed symptoms on day 3.

I (double vaccinated) developed symptoms & tested +ve today (day 5)

Mrs Lorch (double vaccinated) still clear. 6/n

BTW, we are all doing fine. Just relatively mild symptoms. 🙏 💉 7/7

Additional 8/7. 2hrs later the T line on the buffer washed, juice induced fake +ve LFT is no longer visible. Whilst the real +ve is still there. That’s the staying power of monoclonal antibodies folks!