https://www.zerohedge.com/covi…abandoning-pcr-test-covid
A bit political at the end, but until then a well sourced, good history of the COVID PCR test cycle threshold (Ct), and: "how PCR Tests have misled officials worldwide into insanely authoritative reactions".
Along the same lines, I noticed the other day in an article someone posted here, that Israel was still using a 37 Ct.
Sorry Shane - you are way out of your depth here.
You should not be reading this stuff. It is bad for your brain. Look at the name on the site. Look at the way its "scientiific" information is written.
Yes - got it in one - it is propagating false anti-vax memes. It is one of the famous anti-vax super-spreaders.
From wikipedia
Zero Hedge (or ZeroHedge)[b] is a far-right[12] libertarian[17] financial blog,[13][14] presenting staff-written articles and aggregating news and opinions from external sources.[18] Zero Hedge, per its motto,[a] is bearish in its investment outlook and analysis, often deriving from its adherence to the Austrian School of economics and credit cycles.[22] While often labeled as a financial permabear,[23][24] Zero Hedge has also been described as a source of "cutting-edge news, rumors and gossip in the financial industry".[25]
Over time, Zero Hedge expanded into non-financial analysis,[c] including conspiracy theories and fringe rhetoric[27] associated with the US radical right,[14][28] the alt-right,[29][30][31] and a pro-Russian bias.[1][32][33][34] Zero Hedge's non-financial commentary has led to a number of site bans by various global social media platforms, although its 2019 Facebook ban[35][36] and 2020 Twitter ban were later reversed.[14][37]
Zero Hedge in-house content is posted under the pseudonym "Tyler Durden"; the founder and main editor was identified as Daniel Ivandjiiski.[26]
The science of PCR
(1) PCR tests are typically very accurate. They have a high false-negative rate if swabs are not taken correctly (it is unpleasant - they need to go deep into throat and nose). However with delta it will matter less: it has 1000X more viral load trypically.
(2) The cycle number (how much you amplify the RNA) alters sensitivity.
(3) Delta typically has muhc higher viral load in nose and mouth, so nthere is a case for moving to a lower cycle count
(4) Asymptomatic infections can transmit COVID (esp delta)
(5) whether you make your case count include asymptomatics is a judgement call. Only zerohedge would see this as a political big deal. it depends whether it is overall worth having more mildly ill or even asymptomatic people self-isolate - or less.
All this is written up by zerohedge zerofact as though CDC change or no change in guidelines is a matter of distorting science. It is not. It is just do you want the marginal cases to self-isolate or not. Not an easy decision to make, because delta alters infectivity and we are not entirely sure how much.
Of coiurse CDC may indeed want case counts to look higher (and closer to the real infection counts) if that persuades more of the waverers to get vaccinated. that woiuld be saving lives. A good thing for everyone to do - though antivax campaigners do not seem to see this or act on it themselves.
Shane - why is this bad judgement? You should know a conspiracy theory when you read one (the coloured text rather gives it away).