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BTW, this is pretty interesting.


This is feasible with single-step RT-LAMP on saliva samples, which requires minimal equipment and training. A facility with about 100 staff could probably do 50 000 tests per day. If so, a city of 350 000 people could be served by a single laboratory. No government has considered this option because it was assumed that this level of testing is not technically possible even in a developed country like the UK. The technology can be implemented even in low-resource rural settings. A large number of RT-LAMP tests can be done in under an hour in a pan of warm water using a thermometer to maintain the temperature at about 63°C. The colour change showing a positive result can be read by eye.

Apparently RT-LAMP tests currently cost <$5. The real problem then is what to do after it's all under control, which is where New Zealand is at these days.
 
Don't these tests have a decently large amount of false negative results?
well, there's different pieces to false negatives for tests like this, there's issues with the sensitivity of the test itself, but also with the nature of the collection - the NP swab is looking for actual viral DNA/RNA (I forget which), which can be present in both live and dead cells (meaning you could be just shedding dead cells, but no longer actively infectious, the NP test doesn't differentiate), but by the same token it will only show positive if you actually scoop up viral particles, meaning if you didn't go deep enough, or there aren't any little virus dudes where you happened to swab, it can show as negative. a negative result means the virus was below the detectable level in the sample tested, it's not truly confirmation of no viral infection. in general those tests are better used in confirming presence rather than absence.
 
You could try here too https://www.yourdoctorsurgentcare.com/

That's where we went to get our antibody test the first time.

edit: n/m, they're booked too. This is fucking bad.

@Mr. Asa i’m glad you got the test done. waiting game is awful


@fly it totally blows my mind that y’all have to line up for these tests etc. that’s CRAZY.
we can get them anywhere and they are done pretty fast here. your population is obviously massive but it’s just so crazy to me

also, do y’all have to pay for the tests or are they free
 
@Mr. Asa i’m glad you got the test done. waiting game is awful


@fly it totally blows my mind that y’all have to line up for these tests etc. that’s CRAZY.
we can get them anywhere and they are done pretty fast here. your population is obviously massive but it’s just so crazy to me

also, do y’all have to pay for the tests or are they free
Up until about a week ago, we had adequate testing supplies. With the huge surge, we no longer do.
 
Uggggh, I don't know if it's just the grass pollen blowing around or if I'm getting sick.
I heard there’s a gas station in New Mexico that has a hole is the bathroom wall. You stick your penis in the hole and they are able to tell you if you have Covid. The cost is $20 but it is cash only.
 
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