@Flash_Ninja
Brother you are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT to question the propaganda spewing forth on this thread. It is merely conjecture, propaganda and malevolent design.
The CDC has made the following clear in its guidance on ncov PCR testing:
- A false negative result may occur if inadequate numbers of organisms are present in the specimen due to improper collection, transport or handling.
- RNA viruses in particular show substantial genetic variability. Although efforts were made to design rRT-PCR assays to conserved regions of the viral genomes, variability resulting in mis-matches between the primers and probes and the target sequences can result in diminished assay performance and possible false negative results.
- A false NEGATIVE result may occur if inadequate numbers of organisms are present in the specimen due to improper collection, transport or handling.
- RNA viruses in particular show substantial genetic variability. Although efforts were made to design rRT-PCR assays to conserved regions of the viral genomes, variability resulting in mis-matches between the primers and probes and the target sequences can result in diminished assay performance and possible false NEGATIVE results.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/rt-pcr-detection-instructions.html
Now our friend
@Axomiya_lora cleverly stated that I mentioned in another thread that "false positives" may occur and he has further insinuated that false positives are not a problem.
He is wrong on both counts. I never discussed false positives as being the major problem. I clearly stated false NEGATIVES. I truly cannot figure how to easily recover said comments on my crappy mobile but take my word on it.
Firstly, false positives are not ideal in this scenario, but when you're trying to stop an outbreak, false NEGATIVES are a potential disaster.
That is what I stated on the other thread and
@Flash_Ninja has correctly echoed this opinion with his own posts.
The bottom line at present is that:
1. Testing with RTPCR as it stands is not foolproof because of false negatives. In any case, not every returnee can possibly be tested or will necessarily show symptoms within two weeks hence remain potential risks.
2. The infrastructural problems and population dependent limitations to outbreak control exist similarly in both Pakistan and India, hence western public health protocols require cautious implementation and even modification.
3. Pakistan was definitely sensible to wait and check the pattern of spread before airlifting everyone back. I argue they should even have waited a bit more. But inevitably, the danger with that would be that more folks would sneak back without screening, so GoP had to make a balanced decision. I don't think GoP has done much wrong. Probably India should have waited a bit too but in all probability, it may not make much difference.
Ncov will reach both India and Pakistan. It's not going to be the end of the world though as it still seems to have low mortality. However pandemics in our nations would have unknown economic impacts.
For the record, closing borders completely will also not help because again, people will sneak across unmonitored. Tight border control is actually the only reasonable solution, which is what WHO recommends.