3 ms·

I never understood why Covid 19 tests are easily available, but other corona/influenza/rhino/roto/nora/adeno/entero/etc are not. I have kids in daycare, and we

I never understood why Covid 19 tests are easily available, but other corona/influenza/rhino/roto/nora/adeno/entero/etc are not. I have kids in daycare, and we’ve probably gone through most of them, but why is the focus on a single virus? I got laid out by influenza type A in 2022, and had to pay $175 to an urgent care to get tested for that.

Arainach 3y ago
>I never understood why Covid 19 tests are easily available, but other corona/influenza/rhino/roto/nora/adeno/entero/etc are not. Simplest answer: because due to the contagious nature of the virus there was a large economic incentive to being able to rapidly and accurately assess whether someone was sick, and because many businesses/governments had explicit rules around attending while infected with COVID. Similar resources and rules were not in place for other viruses. Full answer: because it's a novel, actively evolving virus that poses significant health risks and is significantly more contagious than the other viruses you mentioned.
- kube-system 3y ago
  And I think diagnostic tests are generally regarded as requiring the interpretation of a professional.
- maxerickson 3y ago
  Combo antigen tests have been available in other countries for quite some time (COVID, Flu and RSV), for pretty low cost. The FDA is concerned that we are stupid, so we aren't allowed to use them.
- Ferret7446 3y ago
  I think the actual simplest answer can be understood if you take a look at the account statements of pharmaceutical companies around 2020.
tedivm 3y ago
Other countries have them, but for some reason they aren't approved in the US.
resolutebat 3y ago
In Japan you can pick up a double influenza/COVID test in any pharmacy. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/2162/ https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/2162/
aaron695 3y ago
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jimrandomh 3y ago
Because there was a significant time period in which the rest of the world had access to Covid-19 tests but the US didn't, and this created political that forced the FDA to allow them. There isn't any similar pressure for other viruses, so the FDA maintains its ban on their production and sale.
tim333 3y ago
In the UK Tesco has them listed for £2.40 https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/313756767 https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/313756767 I guess it helps to not have the FDA blocking everything?

Arainach 3y ago

>I never understood why Covid 19 tests are easily available, but other corona/influenza/rhino/roto/nora/adeno/entero/etc are not. Simplest answer: because due to the contagious nature of the virus there was a large economic incentive to being able to rapidly and accurately assess whether someone was sick, and because many businesses/governments had explicit rules around attending while infected with COVID. Similar resources and rules were not in place for other viruses. Full answer: because it's a novel, actively evolving virus that poses significant health risks and is significantly more contagious than the other viruses you mentioned.

kube-system 3y ago
And I think diagnostic tests are generally regarded as requiring the interpretation of a professional.
maxerickson 3y ago
Combo antigen tests have been available in other countries for quite some time (COVID, Flu and RSV), for pretty low cost. The FDA is concerned that we are stupid, so we aren't allowed to use them.
Ferret7446 3y ago
I think the actual simplest answer can be understood if you take a look at the account statements of pharmaceutical companies around 2020.

tedivm 3y ago

Other countries have them, but for some reason they aren't approved in the US.

resolutebat 3y ago

In Japan you can pick up a double influenza/COVID test in any pharmacy. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/2162/ https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/2162/

aaron695 3y ago

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jimrandomh 3y ago

Because there was a significant time period in which the rest of the world had access to Covid-19 tests but the US didn't, and this created political that forced the FDA to allow them. There isn't any similar pressure for other viruses, so the FDA maintains its ban on their production and sale.

tim333 3y ago

In the UK Tesco has them listed for £2.40 https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/313756767 https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/313756767 I guess it helps to not have the FDA blocking everything?