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Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,458
Registered: ‎06-10-2015

Not.

 

Reality alert: This is not for people who are looking for something upbeat and happy, but I can recommend the shortbread thread and the jokes threads for that--they're great.

 

This is about the coronavirus testing. The punchline of the article:

"There's no time really to put the effort into saying, 'Where's the problem here?'" said Catherine Troisi, an epidemiologist at the University of Texas Health Science Center. "I'm not saying the test is bad. But what good is a test if you don't know it's giving you reliable results? We just don't know."

 

The article is "Coronavirus Tests Being Fast-Tracked by FDA, but Are They Accurate?"

On Medscape, no ads.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/928602

Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,328
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

An unreliable test is worse than no test at all. A false negative test will have the person tested out and about possibly spreading the virus to untold others. 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,458
Registered: ‎06-10-2015

@occasionalrain wrote:

An unreliable test is worse than no test at all. A false negative test will have the person tested out and about possibly spreading the virus to untold others. 



Exactly. I keep looking for something to hang my hopes on, but not yet.

 

Makes that shortbread and Cadbury dip seem like a worthwile immersion experience. Cat Frustrated

 

Super Contributor
Posts: 495
Registered: ‎06-19-2011

Kinda makes me think of those that choose a Cologuard test in lieu of a Colonoscopy.  One is 100% accurate with the procedure results, and at best 50/50 with the Cologuard, and at worst 90/10.  No big deal, Colon Cancer is not 1st in cancer deaths in the United States, it's 2nd!

 

 

 

hckynut🏒

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,837
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: It just gets better.

[ Edited ]

@mrshckynut wrote:

Kinda makes me think of those that choose a Cologuard test in lieu of a Colonoscopy.  One is 100% accurate with the procedure results, and at best 50/50 with the Cologuard, and at worst 90/10.  No big deal, Colon Cancer is not 1st in cancer deaths in the United States, it's 2nd!

 

 

 

hckynut🏒


 

 

Welcome to the boards @mrshckynut !  I enjoy reading your husband's posts.  @hckynut 

 

Edited to say:  I read further and realize that the hckynut that posts here is not your husband.  I still welcome you to the boards.  Your name will confuse a lot of people though, because hckynut is a frequent poster.


The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau





Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,634
Registered: ‎04-04-2015

Gives us even more confidence in our medical "experts."  Right.

 

Too funny - the press goes ballistic over a drug that seems to work - OMG don't offer it to anyone it's snake oil.  All because they don't like the person who commented on the results and gave people the right to try - rather than just die on a ventilator.

 

But the presss extolls testing and complains that we don't have "enough" tests - because THAT is the answer to everything (before we get the vaccine which is supposed to be the next answer). 

 

And now we find out the tests may not work even as well as the drug that is supposed to be so terrible.

 

 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,634
Registered: ‎04-04-2015

@mrshckynut wrote:

Kinda makes me think of those that choose a Cologuard test in lieu of a Colonoscopy.  One is 100% accurate with the procedure results, and at best 50/50 with the Cologuard, and at worst 90/10.  No big deal, Colon Cancer is not 1st in cancer deaths in the United States, it's 2nd!

 

 

 

hckynut🏒


I would agree - and I've had both tests - but I also know 2 people who ended up with a perforated colon as a result of the colonoscopy - and I don't know anyone who ever had any other such serious issues as a result of a test  or hospital procedure - or even surgery - so that does give me pause.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,328
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Yesterday in a hospital so close I can walk to it, a patient 17 years younger than I am, died.  I'm sad for his family and all who loved him, I'm sad for the medical staff who tried so many ways to save him, and I'm sad for all of us that hydrochloroquinine is not a magic bullet.  It was tried.  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 66,116
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

@Isobel Archer wrote:

Gives us even more confidence in our medical "experts."  Right.

 

Too funny - the press goes ballistic over a drug that seems to work - OMG don't offer it to anyone it's snake oil.  All because they don't like the person who commented on the results and gave people the right to try - rather than just die on a ventilator.

 

But the presss extolls testing and complains that we don't have "enough" tests - because THAT is the answer to everything (before we get the vaccine which is supposed to be the next answer). 

 

And now we find out the tests may not work even as well as the drug that is supposed to be so terrible.

 

 


Oh yea, supreme confidence in the medical community... Smiley Wink Doubly not sure of the value of a test that might or might not be accurate, especially when regardless of the outcome there's no real proven treatment and no vaccine... And, when there is a vaccine, assuming there will eventually be one... let's hope it's more reliable than the annual flu shots... Moving on...


In my pantry with my cupcakes...
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,527
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

@occasionalrain wrote:

An unreliable test is worse than no test at all. A false negative test will have the person tested out and about possibly spreading the virus to untold others. 


@occasionalrain Hopefully, even if they test negative, they will take precautions. They won't know the status of those around them. 

*********************
Keepin' it real.