Covid Mk ll

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Originally Posted by PhilipA

What is the use of RATS if they are not accurate?

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A negative isn't necessarily negative, but a positive is positive. A RAT is dependent on absolute precision in the process *and* a decent amount of usable material in the sample. A PCR is intrusive enough it gets both and the test is far more sensitive.

My RAT on the other hand was positive the instant the sample hit the indicator.

My son tested negative for 4 days running on a "saliva" RAT. Once my wife got him to give a "good blow" into a tissue and we swabbed the tissue, his RAT was as positive as mine. About 15 seconds to the line.

So a RAT is better than nothing. If you are positive then you have a result. If you are negative and in doubt then perhaps a PCR is a good idea.

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Originally Posted by BradC

A negative isn't necessarily negative, but a positive is positive. A RAT is dependent on absolute precision in the process *and* a decent amount of usable material in the sample. A PCR is intrusive enough it gets both and the test is far more sensitive.

My RAT on the other hand was positive the instant the sample hit the indicator.

My son tested negative for 4 days running on a "saliva" RAT. Once my wife got him to give a "good blow" into a tissue and we swabbed the tissue, his RAT was as positive as mine. About 15 seconds to the line.

So a RAT is better than nothing. If you are positive then you have a result. If you are negative and in doubt then perhaps a PCR is a good idea.

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We are seeing people with symptoms testing negative for several days. Doctors/nurse chatted about rat tests considered vairiblty on the technique showing a fairly wide range of impacts on Rat tests. PCR testing is also now testing for FLU as well as Covid. That is very very helpful information. Anti Virals for flu cases for people at high risk need a quick responses before hospitalization occurs.

On another topic of younger people getting or not getting vaccinated.

US data is interesting. One issue of not being vaccinated regardless of the direct impact is the reservoir and high viral load causing more spreading and changes to the virus itself? Noting more than 40% of the world has no access to vaccines meaning a huge reservoir allowing and seeing new variants is already there. With a very low take up in the under 12 year olds I think the under 5 question will not get a pass at the Ozzie regulators quickly unless something changes.
Coronavirus Age, Sex, Demographics (COVID-19) - Worldometer

Link shows very few deaths in under 17 year olds. (9)


We loved B1 and B2 for dancing and songs keeping the kids entertained. B4 and B5 are just a pain for us all [biggrin]





https://www.abc.net.au/news/image/85...x4-700x933.jpg

One of the things that I've heard a number of people say is that Covid will become less lethal as time goes on, and Omicron seems to support that argument.

But Delta was more deadly than the original Covid strain, and the newer strains of Omicron are more deadly than the earlier ones.

The New York Times has this interesting article about the myxoma virus that causes myxamatosis - it's mutating and now kills rabbits differently to how it did originally -but it also touches on Covid:

Think All Viruses Get Milder With Time? Not This Rabbit-Killer. - The New York Times


Which leads us to this recent study on Covid:


Virological characteristics of the novel SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants including BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5 | bioRxiv


which concludes that:

"our observations strongly suggest that SARS-CoV-2 does not necessarily evolve to attenuate its pathogenicity."

In other words, it's not over yet and more lethal strains of Covid could evolve and emerge. I guess the question is if, after over two years of this, have we still got the stomachs to comply with mask-wearing, checking-in and isolating?

I had my 4th jab this morning and a flue jab at the same time.
My arm is sore from the covid jab and I will most likely get crook for a couple of days from the flue jab (happens to me every year) But Both of these inconveniences are preferable to getting a full blown case of covid or the flue.

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Originally Posted by Arapiles

I guess the question is if, after over two years of this, have we still got the stomachs to comply with mask-wearing, checking-in and isolating?

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I do, but that's because I don't want others to die. I'd love it if the "others" would extend me the same courtesy.

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Originally Posted by trout1105

I had my 4th jab this morning and a flue jab at the same time.
My arm is sore from the covid jab and I will most likely get crook for a couple of days from the flue jab (happens to me every year) But Both of these inconveniences are preferable to getting a full blown case of covid or the flue.

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Flue jab .... was it in your chimney?

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Originally Posted by Arapiles

Flue jab .... was it in your chimney?

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Saw that too but didn't have the hearth to say anything...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Arapiles

One of the things that I've heard a number of people say is that Covid will become less lethal as time goes on, and Omicron seems to support that argument.

But Delta was more deadly than the original Covid strain, and the newer strains of Omicron are more deadly than the earlier ones.

The New York Times has this interesting article about the myxoma virus that causes myxamatosis - it's mutating and now kills rabbits differently to how it did originally -but it also touches on Covid:

Think All Viruses Get Milder With Time? Not This Rabbit-Killer. - The New York Times


Which leads us to this recent study on Covid:


Virological characteristics of the novel SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants including BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5 | bioRxiv


which concludes that:

"our observations strongly suggest that SARS-CoV-2 does not necessarily evolve to attenuate its pathogenicity."

In other words, it's not over yet and more lethal strains of Covid could evolve and emerge. I guess the question is if, after over two years of this, have we still got the stomachs to comply with mask-wearing, checking-in and isolating?

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Hate to be a huge PITA. Report out yesterday RE 2nd time or more covid infection was very depressing. [bighmmm] We are seeing a significant number of 2nd and 3rd time infections already and impacts do not appear good at all.

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Originally Posted by windsock

Saw that too but didn't have the hearth to say anything...

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You're on fire.

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Originally Posted by BradC

A negative isn't necessarily negative, but a positive is positive. A RAT is dependent on absolute precision in the process *and* a decent amount of usable material in the sample. A PCR is intrusive enough it gets both and the test is far more sensitive.

My RAT on the other hand was positive the instant the sample hit the indicator.

My son tested negative for 4 days running on a "saliva" RAT. Once my wife got him to give a "good blow" into a tissue and we swabbed the tissue, his RAT was as positive as mine. About 15 seconds to the line.

So a RAT is better than nothing. If you are positive then you have a result. If you are negative and in doubt then perhaps a PCR is a good idea.

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Thats a good idea to swab the tissue! The Dr at work gets the kids to do a few good deep coughs before using the oral RAT.