Read on Twitter
Rapid #Covid antigen tests sacrifice sensitivity for cost and ease. this means the rate of false negatives is higher.
some points:
some points:
like all tests, a negative doesnât mean anything for what you may do tomorrow - it just means youâre not positive right now
no one can test out of quarantine
no one can test out of quarantine
unlike pcr tests, rapid tests results will vary more bc the probability of detection something when itâs there in lower quantities is low - itâs like an uneven dice
so when celebrities talk about how 2/4 tests were negative, thatâs expected bc these tests are not as sensitivite
so when celebrities talk about how 2/4 tests were negative, thatâs expected bc these tests are not as sensitivite
rapid tests are really useful in a diagnostic setting to quickly rule in positive individuals and isolate or treat as necessary
every negative rapid test in a diagnostic setting should be followed by a pcr test to confirm
every negative rapid test in a diagnostic setting should be followed by a pcr test to confirm
currently rapid tests are not indicated for a symptomatic screening unless that has changed since i looked it up last week
- unless PCR is unavailable or TAT is too long
- unless PCR is unavailable or TAT is too long
there are reports that high CT values are less likely to be infectious, but there are many sources of heterogeneity - among runs, machines, assays, sample types (isolating from saliva is 
)... are CT values normalized for RP or other controls?
)... are CT values normalized for RP or other controls?
full disclosure: I am not a huge proponent bc i think it will further erode already precarious trust of parts of the public, but theyâve got power behind them so iâm trying to communicate as best i can the limitations
itâs not about the science, itâs about the people and the botched response that has lead to an overall distrust in a large enough part of the population that this 
bit worries me.
Already i see ppl talking about how tests (pcr) are BS... worries thisâll make it worse
bit worries me. Already i see ppl talking about how tests (pcr) are BS... worries thisâll make it worse
to be clear: i think rapid tests could be used as part of a two armed approach: rapid + PCR for neg confirmation but that campaign communication would need to be crystal clear to the public
