How to Contain or Mitigate Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) using rapid testing

Coronavirus, or more specifically SARS-CoV-2, is currently spreading at an uncontrollable rate. The solution we are working with is to successfully vaccinate most of our population. The vaccine has presented itself with difficult challenges, however, including storage deficiencies and poor distribution. Additionally, there is very little confidence and trust toward the vaccine, which has affected people's decision to take it. There is also a lack of antibody testing being administered after vaccinations or infections, so, efficacy of antibodies produced from vaccine is still questionable.

Given the lack of rapid testing and poor knowledge of disease progression, our first attempt at quarantining and mitigating the pandemic failed. After one year of research, however, we now have the capability to massively produce rapid antigen and antibody tests that can be self-administered at home with results being produced in minutes. This new technology lends itself to the following solution. Keep in mind, this plan is ambitious and requires an overwhelming participation, but, it is the only way to eliminate or contain the virus in less than 40 days without having to vaccinate the population-at-large.

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Let's get right to it: a specific weekend (Fourth of July?) out of the year would be designated for strict Covid-19 testing. By this established date, every person would have in their possession four antibody tests and four antigen tests, at least, and, would have been educated on the purpose of each test and procedures on how to successfully self-administer via nationally televised/streamed videos or local community health centers, in case there are language barriers. Education is paramount to the success of any plan developed so that we can gain the trust needed for implementation. If we effectively test ourselves on the same weekend, especially if we start on the same day, we would have achieved a national baseline and could begin mitigating or containing covid-19.

Antigen Test: If you are positive for antigens, you are considered contagious and must quarantine effective immediately. You would have been excused from your employment with pay covered for 14 days or until you test negative for antigens. You would have been instructed to contact a health professional via telemedicine to establish a plan of care and track current infection. If you are negative, you are still required to quarantine for 3 days and and test yourself every day to avoid false negatives. If you are living with a person that tested positive, you must quarantine yourself away from that person and strictly enforce all safe-distancing measures possible to avoid contagion.

Antibody Test: If you are positive for antibodies, you are considered protected and safe to interact with people, but, you are still recommended to quarantine 3 days and test yourself accordingly in case of inaccurate test results and practice all safe-distancing measures. If you are negative for antibodies and negative for antigens, you are still recommended to quarantine for three days so that you avoid getting infected and test yourself accordingly in case of incorrect test results.

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This is the most effective method of mitigation given our current technologies.

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No plan-of-action can come without scrutiny. From cost to implementation, this project has many opportunities for improvement. As we continually learn about covid-19's epidemiology, the lack of diagnosis within our society makes it difficult to determine who is at-risk and who is not. Efficient herd immunity requires the least amount of adverse conditions, which can only be achieved if we know exactly who is vulnerable in our society.

We are already witnessing the reality of letting coronavirus spread without mitigating efforts: including overcrowded hospitals, diminished resources, and needless death. The only way we can win this war is by making the "invisible enemy" visible. We are about to lose more American lives than those suffered during World War II. One can only hope our efforts in combating this pandemic can be matched with the same fervor and intensity required for victory.

M.G.J.

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Sources:

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2764956

https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhaseltine/2020/04/08/pricing-and-profiteering-from-covid-19-tests/?sh=7c823d071ccb