Coronavirus Minute Testing could be far more important than a vaccine. See why.
By: Calin Coman
Tags: Epidemic, Coronavirus, Social Distance, Virus, Pandemic

I think the best thing that can happen about Coronavirus epidemic is not a vaccine. A vaccine will only partially solve the problem.

Why?

-Because the production and testing of a vaccine lasts 8–16 months and we cannot stay in lockdown for so long

-Because you cannot vaccinate hundreds of millions of people in a short time

-Because there will be a reluctance to this vaccine, too. Not all people will fast embrace the new vaccine and we still have part of the population still campaigning against general vaccination.

-Because if this virus is going to stay with us, you can’t keep track of infected people, you won’t be able to distinguish vaccinated vs. unvaccinated people. This means that all social activities, especially those that include human gatherings, won’t be able to be restored, a condition that can last years from now. The vaccine will not solve this uncertainty in the short term and people’s fear will affect the “reopening” of lifestyle before the epidemic.

The situation may persist for years even after a vaccine is developed.

But there could be a solution.

You can call it FVT ( FAST VIRUS TESTING). Testing in minutes (1 -2 minutes).

There are already initiatives that have been successful in testing for coronavirus in just 5 minutes. European photonics scientists are developing an ultrasensitive laser sensor that detects coronavirus at the earliest point of infection from a saliva or nasal swab in minutes. Or maybe there are also other ways.

Of course, a vaccine is absolutely necessary, but I believe that nations and medical research centers should put all investments and efforts in developing a rapid testing technology which can solve this health crisis much faster than any vaccine.

Imagine virus testing stations at the entrance to the airports. Just like a classic check-in.

Or when entering the stadiums, for live sport and concerts. At the theater or cinema.

Or at the entrance / exit in our country.

Yes, it may sound weird at some point, but if this virus or the like is going to live among us, we must adapt to a new normality and unlock the economy and our lifestyle.

And technology helps us.

In addition, perhaps these testing technologies will develop further and they could start a true health revolution in human history.

A revolution in the field of health prevention.

A revolution in the early detection of human diseases, which can lead to the reinvention of the entire medical system.

We can focus more on prevention and not just on treatments, as it is today. Large drug companies could rethink their businesses.

Yes, there is a lot of money in the middle, but I prefer to pay for prevention technologies (such as health monitoring bracelets, high performance testing technologies in your own bathrooms when you get home without having to go to the lab, digital doctors reading the analyzes taken weekly at home, and so on).

There can be a lot of money in the prevention industry, not just in treatments and medicines.

Maybe we are facing a historical moment, just because we stopped and realized that the health of humanity is the most important.

Without health, everything suddenly stops.

I am a dreamer but I believe in humanity’s strenght to reinvent itself.