The science of COVID-19 Diagnostics

Super Awesome Science Show (SASS)

The old adage of the only thing to fear is fear itself sometimes rings true although in the case of pandemics, it has a different meaning. We should fear the pandemic but in many cases, people tend to fear and rebel against the measures to keep people safe.

But there is a way to prevent this from happening in an equitable way. It’s through the use of rapid diagnostic tests. They can help to keep us aware of the location of a pandemic virus, how’s it’s spreading in the community, and how to develop targeted measures to prevent spread.

Our guest this week has been focused on why we need diagnostic tests for all to get us past this pandemic and to keep us safe and confident even long after. She is Cherie Lynn Ramirez and she is an assistant professor in the Chemistry and Physics Department at Simmons University. She was the Deputy Director of the Global Learning Studio at the Global Health Education and Learning Incubator at Harvard University.

Recently, she and her colleagues wrote a discussion piece on the need for universal access to diagnostic tests. You can find that paper below.

We try to hit on as many points as we can based on her research but I’m sure you will have questions. Which is why I hope you reach out to me on Twitter, by Email, or via voice message at Speakpipe.com/SASS. Just follow the link below and send me your thoughts.

Twitter: @JATetro
Email: [e-mail]
Guest:
Cherie Lynn Ramirez
https://www.simmons.edu/academics/faculty/cherie-ramirez
Cherie Lynn Ramirez’s discussion on universal testing:
https://www.rapidtests.org/wrong-not-to-test

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