Wednesday, July 1, 2020

A Corona Test?

There's a short update today on the Coronavirus and Germany, which might have big implications.  ARD (public TV, Channel One) is covering the topic.

The HZI folks (Helmholtz Center for Infection Research) is about to start a Coronavirus antibody study in a community about 20 km south of Stuttgart (Reutlingen).

Three-thousand will be tested, and results should be laid out in one month.  It's all voluntary (no cost). 

What the antibody study will show?  There's this feeling that a fair number of Germans had the Coronavirus, but with NO symptoms.  Right now, there is zero data to really make any statement from.  The virus experts know people like this exist....they just don't know why they went the route of no symptoms or the general number. 

Another test later?  They say in the fall...the next test will occur (probably the same number).

This commitment is to nine total communities. 

Will there be shocks?  If they come out and suggest that 10-percent of society had some form of no-symptom Coronvirus, then I might suggest shock by the general public.  My own skeptical view is that it'll be two-percent or less. 

The potential that this antibody might expand out in 2021, and everyone gets some offer to test?  No one says that. 

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