1/ Still learning about new Abbott rapid test but a few immediate impressions from what& #39;s circulating
- high sensitivity & specificity
- can be used - like device-based rapid tests already with FDA authorization (BD, Quidel) - at workplaces, schools etc. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abbotts-fast-5-15-minute-easy-to-use-covid-19-antigen-test-receives-fda-emergency-use-authorization-mobile-app-displays-test-results-to-help-our-return-to-daily-life-ramping-production-to-50-million-tests-a-month-301119289.html">https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...

2/ BD & Quidel rapid tests can& #39;t do frequent home screening as needed to really paralyze transmission because (1) they require devices that are difficult to scale to every home & (2) require nasal swabs & processing steps that may be difficult for many people to do on their own

3/ The Abbott test is similarly not authorized for home use but its big advance is that it doesn& #39;t require a device like BD & Quidel do

However, it still seems less than ideal for home use because it still requires nasal swabs & further processing steps

https://www.fda.gov/media/141567/download">https://www.fda.gov/media/141...

4/ With that said, given the crunch that we& #39;re in, from what I& #39;ve seen so far, it seems like it *could* conceivably be used in homes

Doing so would require a massive education & training effort & would be akin to people learning to use a new tool+recipe fundamental to daily life

5/ That is doable but tests that are easier to use (saliva, fewer steps), mass produce (>50m/day rather than 50m/month) & used frequently - even if less accurate - seem likely to be better & more reliable for implementing the population-wide screening that can stop this epidemic

6/Look forward to learning more though

@AbraarKaran @amymaxmen @JeremyKonyndyk @michaelmina_lab @PaulSaxMD @j_g_allen @HelenBranswell @EricTopol @ASlavitt @sri_srikrishna @celinegounder @ashishkjha @Atul_Gawande @BhadeliaMD @vivek_murthy @yayitsrob @alexismadrigal @KatherineJWu