Ben Keefe

BSc Chemistry ➡️ MSc Epidemiology ➡️ Medical student : Evidence-based person (all opinions are my own)

[Ben Keefe @bkeefe15]

@LisaBarrettID @travisfortnum Can you explain exactly what the “misinformation” is here?

[Ben Keefe @bkeefe15]

@michaelmina_lab I see that this paper focuses on 427 symptomatic patients. Is there evidence for adequate sensitivity in the asymptomatic population? In a recent Cochrane review they reported <60% for that group (on average). It is used exclusively for asymptomatic individuals where I live.

[Ben Keefe @bkeefe15]

@btaplatt @JRMarlow And (based on the test sensitivity) they also told >200 people who had COVID they were negative and texted them “safe socializing folks!!” Did that lead to more spread than it stopped? I don’t know, do you? What other sources (epidemiologist?) did you consult for this article?

[Ben Keefe @bkeefe15]

@ChrisIorfidaCBC @btaplatt Says who? Quach is absolutely correct - read any peer reviewed literature on the topic. Rapid tests are the most accurate in the symptomatic population, and are often found to be ineffective in the asymptomatic. Our national health advisers have certainly read these facts.

[Ben Keefe @bkeefe15]

@RoroMacSays @ramer_sarah @btaplatt The change was made May 4th (to the best of my knowledge) the entire province had been locked down for a full week and had over 1,000 active cases. But that’s beside the point - the messaging is still not perfect (a negative test is not necessarily “valid for the day”)

[Ben Keefe @bkeefe15]

@ramer_sarah @btaplatt I agree with you - incredibly irresponsible. But it happens. The way you (as a doctor) use rapid testing is very much appropriate, but you must realize that you are not an average rapid testing customer. Not everyone perceives/uses the test this way - that’s the problem

[Ben Keefe @bkeefe15]

@ramer_sarah @btaplatt I am also a person of NS who goes for rapid tests in the age group that is probably doing the most spreading - 20-30. I have seen people in my peer group change their behaviour/bend rules based on a negative rapid test. I’m not saying everyone does, but some have.

[Ben Keefe @bkeefe15]

@ramer_sarah @btaplatt It’s great that you know that, and the change that they recently made to the messaging is better (used to end with: “safe socializing folks!!”) but not everyone knows this. It says you’re negative for today, that’s just not true for everyone.

[Ben Keefe @bkeefe15]

@btaplatt I’m not trying to argue that this testing program is necessarily detrimental - just that it’s not OBVIOUSLY beneficial... you highlighted the additional close contacts that were found with this program, what’s the estimate for the additional spread it may have caused?

[Ben Keefe @bkeefe15]

@btaplatt The public health messaging is not good enough, many don’t understand that the test isn’t perfect and they could have COVID and test negative.

[Ben Keefe @bkeefe15]

@btaplatt Ultimately this wouldn’t be an issue if people didn’t change their behaviour based on a negative test, but I live in Halifax and I have seen people who are “bending rules” based on these tests.

[Ben Keefe @bkeefe15]

@btaplatt Yes, the sensitivity is higher for people with high viral load, but those who have the virus and are asymptomatic usually have a lower viral load (why they’re asymptomatic) these people still have COVID and are being told they don’t.

[Ben Keefe @bkeefe15]

@btaplatt We just don’t know, and there hasn’t been convincing evidence to the contrary, hence why people all over the world aren’t using these tests to screen the asymptomatic populations.

[Ben Keefe @bkeefe15]

@btaplatt The sensitivity of this type of test used in the asymptomatic population means that it has also sent about the same amount of COVID+ people home to their families with a negative result and encouraged them to socialize with others. Catching 18% may have caused 20% more cases.

[Ben Keefe @bkeefe15]

@btaplatt Rapid testing can be extremely useful in specific circumstances (serial testing of health care workers for example) - but is often not useful on asymptomatic populations (primarily because of the low sensitivity: % of people who have COVID who are caught by this test)

[Ben Keefe @bkeefe15]

@btaplatt This article says nothing about rapid testing being an effective tool in finding the virus on a large scale - in fact it says “rapid testing misses cases in asymptomatic people” check the peer reviewed literature, it’s not the economics that’s an issue

[Stephen Seviour @StephenSeviour]

Due to #COVID19, we are extending the date to respond to our #GradStudentMentalWellness survey until April 15th! If you are a grad student @DalGradStudies and want to weigh in, we’d love for you to respond! Please share widely! https://t.co/efQ7RoxOSM

[bort @heavybretting]

Today I wish to salute bald men who shave their heads. You are the bravest men I know. For you have truly looked the devil in the eyes and said, "I may be losing the war, but I am still the author of my own destiny."

[Ben Keefe @bkeefe15]

@CaseyNeistat This is Winston