Wednesday, April 29th, 2020
The test results came back within 24 hours, 24 hours ahead of schedule. Sadly did not win the Corona lottery. Given the below disclaimer, I am wondering how useful they really are….
Detection of IgG antibodies may indicate exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). It usually takes at least 10 days after symptom onset for IgG to reach detectable levels. An IgG positive result may suggest an immune response to a primary infection with SARS-CoV-2, but the relationship between IgG positivity and immunity to SARS-CoV-2 has not yet been firmly established.
Antibody tests have not been shown to definitively diagnose or exclude SARS-CoV-2 infection. Diagnosis of COVID-19 is made by detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by molecular testing methods, consistent with a patient's clinical findings. This test has not been reviewed by the FDA.
Negative results do not rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection particularly in those who have been in contact with the virus. Follow-up testing with a molecular diagnostic should be considered to rule out infection in these individuals. Results from antibody testing should not be used as the sole basis to diagnose or exclude SARS-CoV-2 infection or to inform infection status.
Positive results could also be due to past or present infection with non-SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus strains, such as coronavirus HKU1, NL63, OC43, or 229E.
This is completely in line with everything I have read on the antibody tests and their reliability. So, I guess it will remain an unknown until a 100% reliable test actually exists. Maybe Zentech is it.
At the Jitsi (an alternative app to zoom) beer waza, where of course Corona was a topic, the Aikidoka discussed whether or not tests used in the US were FDA approved or rather could test not approved by the FDA be used. The disclaimer provides the answer to that as well; obviously it is possible to use tests not approved so as to say not even “reviewed” by the FDA. This diminishes my trust in the reliability of results even further.
As to testing: The administration announced today that the USA would conduct 5 (!!!) million COVID-19 tests per day. I have no idea how that is going to happen seeing that to date a total of 5.8 million tests have been administered since January, averaging at 200k per day.
Today the world has 3.1 million confirmed cases, of which over 1 million are in the USA, and assumed death tolls are presumed to be exceeding the reported226k by far. That amidst increasing cries to reopen economies. In the US this is now going to become a legal battle, with the department of Justice taking a leading role. Seems like the appointment of all those judges is paying off.
On that note I read an interesting opinion piece on the proposal of allowing States to file for bankruptcy. Apparently if a State could declare bankruptcy it would be the courts who would decide which bills get paid. Potentially this could mean States filing for bankruptcy could be forced to not pay pensions and other social benefits, prioritizing other payments instead. A very sneaky way to force the GoP agenda to defund social benefits and social welfare in States they do not control and not a very democratic process, I think. Not my country, not my problem, I guess. But I do feel for my friends in this country.
Today was a beautiful spring day, warm, sunny, pleasant, which made our daily walk through an entirely deserted neighborhood lovely, very different to yesterday.
I am starting to understand why the Listserv has been discussing the noise pollution by blowers. Not only were the blowers and lawn mowers at work today, but one of my neighbors has embarked on a tree cutting expedition. Interesting to see the men on ropes high up in the tree cutting it down bit by bit from the top. Less enjoyable the tree shredder working overtime. It sounds like gigantic juicer and it has been going all day. Since in nice weather I take the laptop and sit in the back garden it was rather noisy. Now that the tree guys have packed up it is blissful in my back garden. The birds are happily chirping away, the Max is taking a nap on his chair and even the squirrels have stopped fighting.
There is a possibility that the uprooting in my garden maybe – at least – partially – caused by fox squirrels. The hole sin my lawn may at least be attributed to their bad memory. In an effort to retrieve their stash they dig random holes as they are prone to forget where they buried their loot. I can deal with the holes in the lawn, but really, I do not appreciate the eating of my Iris.