Just wanted to pass this info along. I was able to gather this info from a few of my contacts within the lab industry. Others on the board may have further insight into this problem. This may be a little long, so please try to be patient with me.

All these lockdowns need to end, and we need to get back to work. Anybody who is advocating for everyone to be tested as a condition for going back to work should be viewed as suspect.

There are currently two modalities for Covid-19 testing: PCR (nose swab/mucas testing) and antibody testing. (blood) Each test has its strengths and weaknesses.

PCR testing is the nose mucas swab being used at the mobile testing sites. It is a molecular test that looks specifically for traces of the actual virus. If you test positive on this test, you are definitely positive for the virus. The drawback for this test is an approximate 50% rate for false negatives. This test can only look for the virus in the upper respiratory system. The problem is that the virus evolves and moves into other parts of your body and away from your upper respiratory system. That is the reason for the high false negative rate.

Blood antibody testing is the second type of test being used. This test looks for the two different COVID-19 antibodies: IGM and IGG. The IGM antibody is created as the body recognizes and starts to fight the virus. The IGG antibody is created when the body has defeated the virus.

There are problems with the antibody testing as well. Antibodies sometimes don't appear for a week from when you contract the virus, so there are false negative implications with this test as well. Also, some older or at risk patients may create fewer or even no antibodies at all. Further, scientists who are studying the virus are not sure how long the IGG antibody stays in an individual's system.

The best and brightest in the world are still trying to figure out a good way to detect the virus. Can you imagine how long it may take to find a vaccine?

We need to get back to work yesterday. When did flattening the curve mean that nobody was supposed to contract the virus? The goal posts keep being moved.
This is madness.