By Philip Baillargeon
In light of recent events, it’s hard to believe in the world outside. Stuck at home, the string of fires set across our nation in protest break our hearts for all of the people they may impact. It’s hard to remember that 100,000 people have died from COVID-19, and the threat is far from over, when we see images of people gathered in the streets to speak their minds. However, the fact of the matter is the novel coronavirus will likely not subside for months, if not years, and we need to begin to adapt to a life in the midst of a pandemic. The key to this initiative is testing, and it is likely you will have to take some form of the test in the near future, even if you aren’t feeling sick.
There are two types of tests: diagnostic tests and antibody tests. You’ve likely heard of diagnostic tests; these test kits use PCR technology to isolate a strain of the virus, if present in the biological sample, and react to glow a fluorescent color. These tests are reserved for patients currently sick as a result of the virus, so it is less likely the average American will ever be encouraged to take these by the state or federal government. Antibody tests are much more useful in terms of reopening; preliminary data suggests that the presence of antibodies as a result of previous contraction of the virus can significantly decrease or potentially eliminate the chance of reinfection. Having a positive antibody test is more for personal closure, however; the United States government has made it clear it wants to avoid checking testing records to let people who have positive antibody tests use more services. This is to prevent purposeful inoculation of the virus, a potentially dangerous act with deadly consequences.
Widespread testing presents several problems, but the main two concerns held by scientists nationwide are availability and accuracy. The United States, in order to accurately gage infection rate, antibody presence, and reopening directives, would have to test hundreds of thousands to millions of people every day. That kind of manufacturing initiative outside of wartime production is unheard of, and with President Trump’s hesitance to direct corporations to produce masks, PPE, and other essential materials, the infrastructure needed for this endeavor may never manifest itself. The other issue is accuracy, which again ties back to lack of manufacturing. The FDA loosened guidelines on coronavirus testing to allow more companies to develop their own tests, speeding up the process of distributing tests without the need for mediating between companies. However, these hastily developed tests can have as much as a 50% error, making them woefully inadequate to predict essential statistics or guarantee the safety of others. This doesn’t mean testing is worthwhile. However, don’t treat a positive antibody test as license to lick the seats on subway cars.
As summer arrives, the inclination will be for humans to gather. Infection rates have not plateaued nationwide, and as travel begins between states over the summer, containment of the virus will become an issue. As more accurate testing is developed and stock is increased, testing will be the most efficient way to monitor our status and control reopening safely. However, as always, proper social distancing and safety practices are the only true way you can keep those you love safe.
