OT Coronavirus: America in chaos, News and Updates. One million Americans dead and counting

That has to be rough on your family. I hope he pulls through.

 

Labeled swabs in photo are for quality control, not a sign COVID-19 tests are fixed

More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation is still spreading online about the tests used to diagnose whether someone has the infection.

The latest claim comes in the form of a photo circulating on Instagram, which appears to show two packages of SARS-CoV-2 antigen test swabs, with one labeled as a "positive control swab" and the other a "negative control swab." (Antigen tests detect the presence of a specific viral antigen, which implies current viral infection.)

"Nothing to see here folks!" reads the post’s caption. "It’s perfectly NORMAL to have PCR TESTS that are labelled ‘Positive’ and ‘Negative!’ There’s no conspiracy involved at all! They aren’t trying to manipulate and control the test results in any way! Trust your leaders."

Text overlaid along the bottom of the photo says: "Picture taken secretly by a nurse on shift. Name not mentioned for obvious reasons."



The image is authentic, but it doesn’t prove what the user claims. The key word in the label is "control," because the swabs seen are used for quality control to make sure the test is working correctly, not for patient testing. It says so in the instructions.

The post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)

The test packages come from ACON Laboratories, a medical equipment company based in San Diego. Among the different types of COVID-19 tests it sells, ACON Laboratories has an antigen rapid test called the "Flowflex."

The Flowflex test’s documentation lists the materials provided in each kit, which includes both positive and negative control swabs, as well as the nasal swabs used for patient testing.



The test’s instruction manual says that the control swabs "should be used to ensure that the test cassette and that the test procedure is performed correctly."



(Screenshot from FlowFlex instruction manual.)

Other medical equipment companies, like Abbott, produce tests that include control swabs for the same reason.

In the documentation for its Panbio COVID-19 antigen rapid test kit, for example, Abbott also lists the negative and positive control swabs and specifies they are not to be used for "specimen collection" and are for "control use only."

Our ruling
An Instagram post suggests that COVID-19 tests are fixed because a photo shows two packages of antigen testing kits with the labels "positive control swab" and "negative control swab."

This is a misinterpretation of the labels. Positive and negative control swabs are routinely included in testing kits for quality control — to ensure that the test is working correctly — not for patient testing.

We rate it False.

https://www.politifact.com/factchec...d-swabs-photo-are-quality-control-not-sign-c/

Our Sources
Instagram post, April 25, 2021

ACON Labs, Flowflex SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test, Accessed April 28, 2021

ACON Labs, SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test Package Insert, Accessed April 28, 2021

Abbott Labs, Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device, Accessed April 28, 2021

AFP Fact-check, 'Positive' and 'negative' control swabs in Covid-19 test kits only used for quality control, experts say, April 21, 2021

 

BREAKING NEWS: Pentagon will require ALL members of the U.S. military to get the COVID vaccine by September 15

• The date could be moved up if the vaccine is fully approved by the FDA sooner
• Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a memo to troops he would not hesitate to 'act sooner' if he felt the need to do so
• The FDA is expected to fully approve the Pfizer vaccine early next month

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...-U-S-military-COVID-vaccine-September-15.html

 

COVID Roundup: New Numbers, New Border Restrictions, Herd Immunity Questions

Last Friday, Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir announced new regulations at Iceland’s border. This will entail taking samples from arrivals to Iceland, tourists and Icelandic residents alike, including those who have been vaccinated. Results from these screenings can be expected within 48 hours, and people will not be required to quarantine while awaiting results. This will go into effect on and from August 16th.

Vaccinations
The Delta variant wave is prompting a ramping up and expansion of vaccinations. Laugardalshöll will open again for mass vaccinations on August 16th, and will specifically aim for giving vaccinations to previous Janssen recipients, children aged 12 to 15, and frontline workers in both health care and schools.

While children in this age group are expected to receive their shots on the 23rd and 24th, this happens to be the same day that many grade schools will be opening again. This has been criticised as poorly timed, and there are also increasing calls to give the fully vaccinated a third shot to boost the immune system further.

Herd immunity
While about 90% of the Icelandic population is fully vaccinated, the continued presence of the Delta variant has many wondering if the coronavirus is going to be a part of Iceland’s everyday reality in the long term. Amongst them is chief epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason. Yesterday morning, he told radio station Bylgjan that achieving herd immunity against the virus may mean letting the virus spread while protecting the most vulnerable in the country.

These comments provoked a strong response across social media, and Þórólfur walked those statements back by the evening, saying that he was misunderstood. He emphasised that it is still the goal of Icelandic authorities to create herd immunity, but that this would be best done by increasing restrictions at the border, bring in new domestic restrictions, and provide more vaccination booster shots for those already vaccinated. A clearer plan of action can therefore likely be expected in the days and weeks to come.

https://grapevine.is/news/2021/08/0...-border-restrictions-herd-immunity-questions/

 

I didn't take it. It's a sign from a store in NY.