The explosion of new coronavirus tests that could help to end the pandemic
The most promising plan I&#x27;ve heard along these lines is detailed in a recent episode of <i>This Week in Virology</i>.[1]<p>We could have this disease under control by the time school starts by giving everyone (or at least everyone in highly affected areas) tests every day.<p>This is possible, practical, and affordable.<p>The technology for fast pregnancy-test style tests for COVID-19 exists right now, and they could cost as little as $1 per test.<p>The reason these tests aren&#x27;t being used yet is because of the FDA&#x27;s misguided requirements for extremely high sensitivity for COVID-19 tests. If these requirements could be relaxed to allow lower-sensitivity tests, then these tests could go out on the market... or, better yet, the government could take over and ensure everyone gets tested with these tests every day for $1 a test.<p>Even a more limited plan of testing just all schoolkids every day for $1 a test would be way better than what we&#x27;ve got now.<p>[1] - Starting at about 6&#x27;20&quot; in to episode 640: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.microbe.tv&#x2F;twiv&#x2F;twiv-640&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.microbe.tv&#x2F;twiv&#x2F;twiv-640&#x2F;</a>