We need to go by numbers from Europe that we can trust to see what happens as we progress in unwinding the shutdown from here. There is no doubt that we must get the ball rolling or at least try, but this is going to be a problem going forward. We cannot even verify that if you already got it, you won't get it again.
Amen, especially the last sentence. There is a lot of talk about "cured" folks in S. Korea testing positive again for viremia. That could be for one of four or more reasons, but suffice it to say, "It's complicated"
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[*]After an initial Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) and apparent resolutions of symptoms, was the next NAT result a false negative, followed by the third positive test? Improper sampling (swabbing) could result in a false negative, as well as a false result by the test. You're starting to hear officials say something all of us in the business know all too well, "There's no such thing as a perfect test."
[*]The person actually was cleared of virus and got reinfected. - SCARY
[*]The person's viral level dropped below detectable levels and remained inactive until something caused it to begin replicating again.
[*]The person actually cleared of one strain of virus, but got infected by a different strain. - SCARY
[*]Something else that is blindsiding us...
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The big problem with the observations is that they don't have corresponding serological (Antibody) testing data to correlate with the NAT results. That could help eliminate some of the unknowns. Until we can really start loosening restrictions, there needs to be widespread, accurate serological testing implemented. This from someone who's been to the Serology Diagnostic Test World Championship Rodeo more than a few times...
Of course there's the Black Plague alternative that some seem to espouse...
