Also, this mass testing approach is mind boggling. Everywhere on the media, a lot of positivity about it being a strategy to avoid lockdowns or even reduce cases, which on the surface of it sounds sensible.

But the issue that no one appears to be focusing on is the fact that the type of tests used are at best 65% accurate. SIXTY FIVE. That is mental. Borderline useless. PCR tests are the only option worth considering, and even they are only 70-90% accurate. This is being mentioned but not highlighted by a lot of reports.

There is no way I’d ever consider taking a rapid test with such low accuracy. Why? Because there’s a good chance I get a false positive and then I’m off work for 2 weeks for no reason. Or, I get a false negative, which is even worse. I’d rather isolate for 48 hours and rely on a PCR, personally.

Edited by SW19 CPFC (23 Nov 2020 2.06pm)

Did you know? 98.0000001% of people are morons.

Is the mRNA the one they have ordered only 5 million doses of or was that the other one?

I heard a piece on Radio 4 very early today in which an expert, whose name escaped me, explained that we need to stop comparing the tests. I'll do my best to explain what I think was said.

Apparently the fast test measures not whether you are infected but whether you are infectious. The PCR test takes longer and detects smaller vaccine loads, even after you stop being infections. The fast test will identity those, even those without symptoms, who can infect others with a heavier current viral load.

So although not highly reliable it must be thought of as a tool to be used as an alternative to isolation rather than an alternative to the PCR test. False positives will be revealed by a PCR test.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

I think self tests may be the giving the false pos and negs.
I saw how far the swab goes up the nose when done by the testers.
You will not do that on your own.
Its here and it's real.
My mrs is sleeping like nothing before.
Obs hoping it doesnt get worse but my god this is no conspiracy. She normally sleeps with one eye open. I've even got control of dinners this week.
Poor boys
Seriously never seen her like this so take it as real please.

No one is saying false positives or negatives will not be issued by a PCR test. PCRs are not 100%, far from it, but are the best worst test option, and less likely to return false results. Therefore it is the better option all round, regardless of what it is testing for.

You are correct in that they test for different things, but that does not mean the accuracy figures are any less problematic.

65% is getting close to 50/50 for something that is supposed to be informing whether cities or even regions get tougher or lighter measures imposed. I believe the range is something like 45-67% which is crazy for a mass strategy play.

Edited by SW19 CPFC (23 Nov 2020 3.26pm)

Did you know? 98.0000001% of people are morons.

There are several mRNA vaccines in development. Both the Moderna and the Pfizer vaccines use the mRNA approach. Moderna has been ordered by the UK govt to the tune of 5 million doses, Pfizer something like 30m.

The Oxford vaccine does not, and helpfully we have 100m doses coming if approved, so this should be the mainstream option for the UK.

Did you know? 98.0000001% of people are morons.