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Sadly PCR tests for COVID also test positive for flu and half a dozen other causes. That's why CDC/FDA are seeking proposals for a new test that actually works

Sadly PCR tests for COVID also test positive for flu and half a dozen other causes. That's why CDC/FDA are seeking proposals for a new test that actually works! https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dls/locs/2021/07-21-2021-lab-alert-Changes_CDC_RT-PCR_SARS-CoV-2_Testing_1.html https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dls/locs/2021/07-21-2021-lab-alert...

maxerickson 5y ago
You've fallen for the internet. Please restart and try again. https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-covid19-pcr-test-idUSL1N2P42U5 https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-covid19-pcr-test-i...
- nerdponx 5y ago
  Sigh. The deniers and antivaxers will have made up their minds already, and this will just be perceived as part of the mass media coverup. It's hopeless.
ramchip 5y ago
You've been repeating this, but it doesn't seem to be true... https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28262833 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28262833
vibrato2 5y ago
Interesting that you’re getting downvoted for the same sentiment that Kary Mullis, inventor of PCR, talked about. He said the test is not a standalone diagnostic because if the amplification is high enough you can find anything in anyone [paraphrase] For most of the pandemic, in fact roughly coinciding with release of the vaccines, the standard amplification cycle was very high. Then they reduced it. Flagged in 30s, that is also odd.
convnet 5y ago
That is simply false on a basic level. That notice by the CDC says the EXACT OPPOSITE of your comment. They're recommending that labs switch to a multiplex test that can screen for both flu and covid at the same time because PCR only detects SARS CoV 2.
- verygoodname 5y ago
  Note: the "multiplex test" is most likely still a PCR test (just 'multiplex PCR' instead of 'single-probe PCR'), so where you say "PCR only detects SARS CoV 2" it should say "the currently-used PCR test only detects SARS CoV 2".

maxerickson 5y ago

You've fallen for the internet. Please restart and try again. https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-covid19-pcr-test-idUSL1N2P42U5 https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-covid19-pcr-test-i...

nerdponx 5y ago
Sigh. The deniers and antivaxers will have made up their minds already, and this will just be perceived as part of the mass media coverup. It's hopeless.

ramchip 5y ago

You've been repeating this, but it doesn't seem to be true... https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28262833 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28262833

vibrato2 5y ago

Interesting that you’re getting downvoted for the same sentiment that Kary Mullis, inventor of PCR, talked about. He said the test is not a standalone diagnostic because if the amplification is high enough you can find anything in anyone [paraphrase] For most of the pandemic, in fact roughly coinciding with release of the vaccines, the standard amplification cycle was very high. Then they reduced it. Flagged in 30s, that is also odd.

convnet 5y ago

That is simply false on a basic level. That notice by the CDC says the EXACT OPPOSITE of your comment. They're recommending that labs switch to a multiplex test that can screen for both flu and covid at the same time because PCR only detects SARS CoV 2.

verygoodname 5y ago
Note: the "multiplex test" is most likely still a PCR test (just 'multiplex PCR' instead of 'single-probe PCR'), so where you say "PCR only detects SARS CoV 2" it should say "the currently-used PCR test only detects SARS CoV 2".