291–296 of 296 posts
if nothing else, this story should put a stake in the heart of the idea that we can achieve "Zero Covid". If testing and quarantine didn't prevent an outbreak here, it never will.
I don't think I've seen anyone with any reputation make any claim about "zero covid".
Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Nose swabs reveal whether you're shedding the particles and thus infectious. It doesn't matter if you're infected if you're not shedding the virus. No, they really don't. Swabbing for RNA picks up gene fragments that may or may not be from infectious virus -- it's why we see positive tests for months after infection in some people. Swabbing for viral protein is debatably more likely to detect the thing of interest…
Agree with all of this. PCR literally involves amplifying segments of genetic material so it can be detected. All you need is a segment of genetic material, not the whole virus. However, I’m not sure the value in antigen testing? Sure, when you’re traveling or have to into a higher risk situation. But Singapore decided to freely give out antigen tests and what happened was people who tested positive showed up at the…
That said, your point is well-taken that people can be idiots about testing positive. We do need to get over this fear and accept that the virus is endemic, and that vaccines work to prevent serious illness. We're now talking about miniscule risks that we would have rightfully shrugged off in any previous year, but folks have been terrorized, and they're desperately looking for control. Any tool that can calm that fear is a good tool.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I thought this is how viruses operated in general. If somebody gets infected by herpes they basically have it for life. It only rarely flares up, but it's clearly still there. I figured this applied to all/most viruses because of the way viruses reproduce. The immune system just takes care of them and prevents the viral load from increasing. Is that not the case?
That is not always the case. Only certain types of viruses such as herpes viruses remain dormant in the patient's body. Most respiratory viruses are completely cleared out within a few weeks, assuming the patient survives and has a functioning immune system.
All staff members preparing to depart to the station had to undergo a PCR test in Belgium two hours before leaving for South Africa, take a PCR test five days after their arrival in Cape Town, where they also had to quarantine for ten days. Another test was required when leaving Cape Town for Antarctica and another PCR test had to be undergone five days after arrival. To me, that sounds like lots of testing, not stri…
Oh wait, that does not help against catching and transmitting the virus.
if nothing else, this story should put a stake in the heart of the idea that we can achieve "Zero Covid". If testing and quarantine didn't prevent an outbreak here, it never will.
if nothing else, this story should put a stake in the heart of the idea that we can achieve "Zero Covid". If testing and quarantine didn't prevent an outbreak here, it never will.
Covid is endemic - it will never leave us. Even if all vaccines worked perfectly and forever and every single person got vaccinated - we would still see new infections, because animals also get and transmit covid. I don't think I've seen anyone with any reputation make any claim about "zero covid".