We Can End The Pandemic TODAY
Rapid tests can help stop the spread of COVID-19
Rapid, inexpensive antigen tests can detect cases that would otherwise be missed, allowing people to isolate before they infect others. Research shows that if used frequently, these tests could significantly drive down infections.
Over 80 leading scientists and infectious disease physicians agree: To control the virus and help reopen schools, we need millions of these tests per day.
Rapid tests could be deployed now, and available without a prescription, so we don’t have to wait months for the vaccine to arrive.
Because they return results within minutes, rapid tests are ideal for routine public health screening. They’re also great for private at-home use, similar to a pregnancy test.
Rapid tests can’t detect every case, but they’re excellent at detecting when you have enough virus to be contagious.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What about false negatives?
Most cases missed by rapid tests happen after people have stopped being contagious, when only deactivated fragments of viral RNA remain. Even if rapid tests miss some contagious people, they will still be useful. Most public health interventions, like masks or social distancing, do not need to be perfect to be useful.
What about false positives?
Occasionally, rapid tests can say a person is positive even when they are not. This can be easily mitigated by packaging rapid tests with confirmatory orthogonal tests.
Are rapid tests too expensive?
No, they will easily pay for themselves. A large rapid testing program that could significantly control the pandemic would cost $5-15 billion. Meanwhile, the pandemic costs the US trillions of dollars in GDP.
Why aren’t we using these tests already?
Rapid tests have faced regulatory roadblocks. While some have been approved, they typically require a prescription and are often not approved for asymptomatic use. Manufacturers could make millions of tests per day but are choosing not to because of regulatory uncertainty and limited government investment.
HOW CAN I HELP?
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Text RAPID TESTS NOW to 50409 to send our latest (Feb. 2021) letter to your senators and representative. Please send this new letter even if you previously sent an earlier letter!
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For even more ways you can help, see the last question of our FAQ.