As for those rapid tests: the two antigen tests listed should both detect SARS-CoV-2. The three genetic tests listed (Meridian, Tide, Applied DNA) probably do not. As the FDA acknowledges, these were not tested on actual patient samples and the results are preliminary.
So, how useful is the rapid test I'm literally going to take after I hit "Post"? I have no way to know, because it's OraSure's IntelliSwab test. However, if the two other antigen tests still probably work, I'm at least cautiously encouraged.
Note for the peanut gallery: I'm one of the people who was exposed to our host. So far, no symptoms and negative test. Mind you, I was also wearing a high-quality filter mask. (I was exposed to another known case maskless, but with social distancing--we ate dinner together. That's one reason I'm quarantining until my PCR test result comes in, or 14 days since the last day of the convention. I can't even get PCR tested until a week from Sunday.)
In the beginning, it was save the N95s for medical personnel, but surgical masks and cloth masks were good. When N95s became more available, it was that they were best, followed by surgical, but cloth were still good (correct me if I'm wrong about this). Now, I am hearing to wear an N95, or a surgical mask if you can't get an N95, but nothing about cloth masks. Are they no longer considered protective? What changed?
I think it's a mistake to say that vaccines are "for" only their clinical trial endpoint. At least prior to delta, for low-risk people who are able to work remotely and avoid human contact, the main draw *was* to make human contact ethically permissible by reducing the risk of transmission. As a fairly healthy 30-something I don't want to get sick, but what really matters is not being part of a chain that infects my friend's newborn baby and elderly parents.
Now I agree: vaccines are clearly inadequate for this purpose. But this greatly reduces their value! Not to zero or even close, but they used to allow human contact and now they don't (unless you embrace a "let it burn, the vulnerable should protect themselves" view). And that's a big deal.
Feel better, man!
As for those rapid tests: the two antigen tests listed should both detect SARS-CoV-2. The three genetic tests listed (Meridian, Tide, Applied DNA) probably do not. As the FDA acknowledges, these were not tested on actual patient samples and the results are preliminary.
So, how useful is the rapid test I'm literally going to take after I hit "Post"? I have no way to know, because it's OraSure's IntelliSwab test. However, if the two other antigen tests still probably work, I'm at least cautiously encouraged.
Note for the peanut gallery: I'm one of the people who was exposed to our host. So far, no symptoms and negative test. Mind you, I was also wearing a high-quality filter mask. (I was exposed to another known case maskless, but with social distancing--we ate dinner together. That's one reason I'm quarantining until my PCR test result comes in, or 14 days since the last day of the convention. I can't even get PCR tested until a week from Sunday.)
John, sorry to hear you came down with COVID, but glad you're holding up well.
Question about masking.
In the beginning, it was save the N95s for medical personnel, but surgical masks and cloth masks were good. When N95s became more available, it was that they were best, followed by surgical, but cloth were still good (correct me if I'm wrong about this). Now, I am hearing to wear an N95, or a surgical mask if you can't get an N95, but nothing about cloth masks. Are they no longer considered protective? What changed?
Where do all of these at home tests loaded with biohazards and sodium azide wind up? Seious question...
I know there is one home rapid test that talks to a smartphone and has electronica involved, but i don't know much more about it.
Since the antigen tests are pretty much the same technology as pregnancy tests, this tactile solution would be technically possible but probably not at all scalable and I don't think it is on the market for pregnancy tests either: https://www-wsj-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.wsj.com/amp/articles/prototype-device-lets-blind-women-take-pregnancy-tests-in-privacy-11603295080?
[WSJ, surprisingly not paywalled]
(that was the first hit for blind accessible pregnancy, but it looks like there's been more written a little more recently)
רפואה שלמה
I think it's a mistake to say that vaccines are "for" only their clinical trial endpoint. At least prior to delta, for low-risk people who are able to work remotely and avoid human contact, the main draw *was* to make human contact ethically permissible by reducing the risk of transmission. As a fairly healthy 30-something I don't want to get sick, but what really matters is not being part of a chain that infects my friend's newborn baby and elderly parents.
Now I agree: vaccines are clearly inadequate for this purpose. But this greatly reduces their value! Not to zero or even close, but they used to allow human contact and now they don't (unless you embrace a "let it burn, the vulnerable should protect themselves" view). And that's a big deal.