4 ms·

> But if the rapid tests are as unreliable in general as they were for me, it’s sort of no wonder COVID is spreading like wildfire. Many rapid tests are indeed

by devy 6y ago

> But if the rapid tests are as unreliable in general as they were for me, it’s sort of no wonder COVID is spreading like wildfire. Many rapid tests are indeed not accurate[1] but they still serve a purpose, depending on the sensitivity and specificity of the tests[2]. For the rapid tests with high sensitivity and you get a positive result, it's highly likely you have COVID. For the rapid tests with high specificity and you get a negative result, it's highly likely that you don't have COVID. And the public health measures of testing / contact tracing ONLY works if testing results come back quick. PCR tests are neither fast nor cheap, so those are not as effective in prevention of spreading because you don't do those all the time (slow + expensive). Medcram has a good video talking about this. [3] [1]: https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2021/01/08/cdc-study-shows-covid-19-rapid-tests-not-as-accurate/ https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2021/01/08/cdc-study-shows-c... [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensitivity_and_specificity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensitivity_and_specificity [3]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7Sv_pS8MgQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7Sv_pS8MgQ

kelnos 6y ago
I only have data points for two different testing orgs, but in my area, GoHealth charges $250 for a rapid test, and Color charges $110 for a PCR test[0]. So it seems like that's flipped from what you're suggesting? The Color tests can even come back in 8 hours or so, if you're not too far from a lab and the lab isn't overloaded. Not as fast as 15 minutes, and certainly higher variance, but much more useful than 72 hours people normally assume. Regarding false negative rate, Hawaii is accepting some of the rapid tests (like the aforementioned GoHealth test) for pre-travel screening, which is concerning. [0] These are both without involving insurance at all. It's possible, though, that the Color tests are partially subsidised by Google?
- calvano915 6y ago
  Simply, $250 is a scam given the limitations of that type of test. Its simply a money grab from those unaware. Its been known for months that PCR is the gold standard, and rapid tests are not. Rapid tests are good for surveillance but not diagnosis.

by devy 6y ago

kelnos 6y ago

I only have data points for two different testing orgs, but in my area, GoHealth charges $250 for a rapid test, and Color charges $110 for a PCR test[0]. So it seems like that's flipped from what you're suggesting? The Color tests can even come back in 8 hours or so, if you're not too far from a lab and the lab isn't overloaded. Not as fast as 15 minutes, and certainly higher variance, but much more useful than 72 hours people normally assume. Regarding false negative rate, Hawaii is accepting some of the rapid tests (like the aforementioned GoHealth test) for pre-travel screening, which is concerning. [0] These are both without involving insurance at all. It's possible, though, that the Color tests are partially subsidised by Google?

calvano915 6y ago
Simply, $250 is a scam given the limitations of that type of test. Its simply a money grab from those unaware. Its been known for months that PCR is the gold standard, and rapid tests are not. Rapid tests are good for surveillance but not diagnosis.