[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by DonnaNi4os

Iand this is simply my opinion, if you are asymptomatic, why would you get tested unless you thought you already had it and are willing to donate your antibodies. Why not save the kits for those who really need it because they are symptomatic? These are simply my thoughts and concerns. In a world where you can be anything, why not be kind?

I think you are a bit confused over the term "asymptomatic" revering to Covid 19. It means YOU COULD BE CURRENTLY CARRYING THE VIRUS BUT YOU ARE SHOWING NO SYMPTOMS. Think "Typhoid Mary." Those who are asymptomatic wrt this pandemic could be the biggest problems because YOU or I could even be a spreader and not know it. That is why, while impossible & impractical, everyone should be tested.

Edit: Those who are SYMPTOMATIC likely have it (what difference if they did or didn't because they should be home anyway because they show symptoms and will end eventually up in the hospital). Those are the ones who probably need the testing less as it is more important to find those who are walking around carrying and spreading it without us being aware. Think about the bar at City Fire.

Greece: 148 refugees test positive for COVID-19, all asymptomatic | News | Al Jazeera


COVID-19: What proportion are asymptomatic? - CEBM

The Silent Spreaders Of COVID-19: Asymptomatic, Presymptomatic, Mildly Symptomatic Cases : Goats and Soda : NPR


50 Percent of People with COVID-19 Aren'''t Aware They Have Virus

What We Need to Understand About Asymptomatic Carriers… — ProPublica

[chet2020]

Originally Posted by cgilcreast

Just wondering if and when the antibody tests may or will be available at some scale. I really only care if I ever had the virus and may be immune.

There are 90+ antibody kits out there. If you search the Internet, you can find them, but buyer beware, many of them are crap. Some are bad science, some are total scams. You don't want to buy an unauthorized kit and think you are immune when you are not. 90% of us in TV are likely NOT immune.

The FDA is reviewing them. They are way behind, but have "authorized" four of them, i.e. they have not gotten full scrutiny, but initial FDA review indicates they are decent. These are from Cellex, Ortho, and Chembio. There was a fourth but I can't find it on a quick search.

It's going to be impossible for you currently to get your own authorized test. I hear you, I want one also. However, we need to let health care providers use the first and probably second & third batches of kits. The authorized kit manufacturers are still in start-up production - not producing many kits. They'll eventually catch up, but probably not for a few months.