Too Much Testing

Frustrated by misconceptions about SARS-CoV-2 testing, I began my career as an amateur blogger nearly two years ago.  I am motived by similar frustrations to write this blog today, but the source of today’s frustration is someone who should know better—the doctor to the President of the United States.

Joe Biden announced on Thursday, July 21, that he tested positive for COVID-19, despite being double vaccinated and double boosted.  Setting aside this fact as evidence that vaccination does not prevent future infection, that vaccination cannot eradicate the virus, and that current vaccinations stimulate immunity against the wrong target, I want to focus on the misuse of testing to perpetuate the COVID emergency.

On Wednesday the President’s doctor, Kevin O’Connor, DO, FAAFP, announced that Mr. Biden had repeatedly tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, and he lifted strict isolation measures.  But on Saturday, the doctor reported a positive antigen test.  He declared the President in relapse, blaming the same “Paxlovid rebound” that plagued Dr. Anthony Fauci during his infection in June.  In case you are wondering, Dr. Fauci also reports being fully vaccinated and up to date on boosters, and according to Dr. Fauci, his second round of symptoms were worse than his first.  In case you are also wondering, I had a single Janssen vaccine without booster ten months before my infection, and I suffered no “Hydroxychloroquine rebound” when I had omicron.  And I did not test.

Let me say this as plainly as possible.  

SARS-CoV-2 tests are not tests of cure.  They can tell you when someone is first infected by the virus, and that is all.  They cannot tell you when someone is rid of disease and no longer infectious.  The diagnosis of COVID-19 requires evidence of respiratory disease and a positive test for SARS-CoV-2.  Either one without the other is not COVID-19.  Despite the CDC’s redefinition midway through the pandemic, there is no laboratory test for COVID-19.

There are two types of SARS-CoV-2 tests—PCR tests and antigen tests.  PCR tests are highly sensitive, but positivity can persist for up to three months after infection.  During this period, tests are not reliable to identify reinfection, since any positive might just be remnants of the old infection.  Antigen tests are much less reliable.  Although an initial positive antigen test may indicate infection, negative tests do not mean a person is free of infection.  This has not changed since EUA testing began in 2020. 

If the President is subjected to daily testing, he may be diagnosed with many relapses in coming weeks, but that does not mean he still has COVID-19.  For that, doctors must rely on clinical observations.  The President’s doctor should know this.  He must know this.

Testing is being misused to perpetuate the COVID-19 emergency in our nation.  This episode illustrates the dangers of testing misuse and overuse.   We need a return of common sense, as much among doctors as among the public.  Testing should be limited and focused.  

We all know when we feel sick.  If you do, stay home, and seek early treatment, because early treatment keeps you out of the hospital.   I used the Zelenko protocol when I had Omicron.

When you feel better, return to your life.  We do not need tests for that.