Read on Twitter
1/ Proposing a constructive disruptive approach to empowering community testing for COVID-19.
@DrMikeRyan talked about engaging the community and creating change through disruption. https://twitter.com/freespiritus/status/1390818532506497025?s=20
@DrMikeRyan talked about engaging the community and creating change through disruption. https://twitter.com/freespiritus/status/1390818532506497025?s=20
2/ Let's consider applying this to rapid antigen testing. This is not a new concept and disruptors like @michaelmina_lab and many others have been advocating for using frequent self testing at home https://twitter.com/michaelmina_lab/status/1391144372599672834?s=20
3/ The article from the BMJ reviews different applications and I would like to focus on "focused asymptomatic testing" (specifically cluster response testing)
https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n208
https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n208
4/ We have seen how valuable it is to engage the community in testing. Look at the powerful work being done if Nova Scotia with @LisaBarrettID and their Public Health teams https://podyssey.fm/podcast/itunes1481109243/episode23444873-Episode-COVID-Rapid-Testing-Barrett-Downtown-Lowdown-with-Downtown
5/ Yet this approach still requires a testing site and conveys to some people a paternalistic approach in managing transmission. Why not do what others have tried and give these tests to people in hotspots?
6/ The proposal:
A. Work with community groups to translate the message in different languages to promote the value of frequent self testing using rapid Ag tests in hotspots
A. Work with community groups to translate the message in different languages to promote the value of frequent self testing using rapid Ag tests in hotspots
7/
B. Distribute a defined supply of these tests to sites which are easy to access.
C. Provide video simple video instruction in different languages to demonstrate how easy it is to interpret tests at home. https://twitter.com/VicLeungIDdoc/status/1375640496417075202?s=20
B. Distribute a defined supply of these tests to sites which are easy to access.
C. Provide video simple video instruction in different languages to demonstrate how easy it is to interpret tests at home. https://twitter.com/VicLeungIDdoc/status/1375640496417075202?s=20
8/
D. Have a simple and easily accessible system for tracking results using unique QR codes that users of the test can use to register. We have one. It is not perfect but we should not let rigid tracking be a barrier to trusting people.
D. Have a simple and easily accessible system for tracking results using unique QR codes that users of the test can use to register. We have one. It is not perfect but we should not let rigid tracking be a barrier to trusting people.
9/
E. Those who self test as positive are encouraged to get formal PCR testing at a testing site. Those who are negative should continue with self testing 2x or 3x/week until the hotspots are no longer hotspots.
E. Those who self test as positive are encouraged to get formal PCR testing at a testing site. Those who are negative should continue with self testing 2x or 3x/week until the hotspots are no longer hotspots.
10/
For those who continue to argue that these screening rapid Ag tests are not as accurate as PCR, there needs to be a reframing of the purpose. These are public health screening tests
For those who continue to argue that these screening rapid Ag tests are not as accurate as PCR, there needs to be a reframing of the purpose. These are public health screening tests
11/ Even if people who screen positive don't go for confirmatory testing, there is a strong chance that they will alter their behaviour to reduce transmission during their most infectious period (1 days before onset of symptoms to ~7 days after onset).
12/ https://twitter.com/VicLeungIDdoc/status/1391468739221090306?s=20
Looking forward to community based feedback.
Looking forward to community based feedback.
