“Line Them Up” Test Takers→→→“Hup, Two, Three, Four…

Tests. Just hearing the word brings back stressful school days and for some the “college experience.” Remember the anticipation. You either tried to get a good night sleep or crammed the night before. Either way, no matter how well prepared you thought you were, the testing experience “sucked.” 🙁

Veterans may feel the same recalling their memories of the barracks known as “discipline factories for soldiers” nervously anticipating surprise bed checks and the early rise and scrutiny of “falling in formation” at the crack of dawn where the freezing cold gust of wind was like a welcome slap on the face.

There’s no question that Germany and countries in Asia, to name a few, have strategically dealt with COVID-19. Taiwan has received much attention. Taipei Times reported, “Unlike virtually every country in the world, Taiwan has weathered the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic admirably well.” It’s reported low death numbers speak for itself.

However, few have considered the reported low infection numbers and key initiatives taken by Thailand, Hong Kong, and Vietnam whose death numbers are said to be less than 99.

Thailand, reported the Bangkok Post in June, “The government reported zero new coronavirus cases and no new deaths for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, leaving the total number of infections in Thailand at 3,135 with 58 deaths since January.”

Hong Kong’s early response required a plan that “’demands persistence’ and ‘draconian’ measures because the virus risked becoming a global epidemic” reported Statnews in March.

Vietnam, another “unsung hero,” took “Extreme but sensible measures” as reported by the BBC in May. Although a “total national lockdown” may not have been implemented, its prevention methods included travel restrictions, border closings, and tests whether one was sick or not.

Clear communication is key. Dr. Todd Pollack of Harvard’s Partnership for Health Advancement in Vietnam in Hanoi says, “government did ‘a really good job of communicating to the public’ why what it was doing was necessary.”

Not all governments operate or communicate like Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam or Germany. Still for some focus is on tests and/or tracking.

Tests and Trackers

Tech companies and media social sites are clearly missing in action when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines but appear willing to test or track people. An August 19, 2013 article in the Silicon Valley Business Journal points to a Forbes interview by David Brooks. In it we find…

“A revealing profile of one of Palo Alto’s largest and most secretive startups, and its CEO, Alex Karp. Palantir, for those who don’t know, is pretty much the poster child for government/Silicon Valley partnership — a CIA-funded startup that makes data analytics software that lets the state do everything from track suspected terrorists through social media to predict disease outbreaks.”

It appears Palantir has been more successful at tracking “terrorists” than viruses or predicting the current COVID-19 outbreak. Or, was it covertly successful? The pandemic has forced the FDA to lax regulation allowing for emergency approved tests. And fear provided a perfect opportunity for people to volunteer to be tested.

I imagine Google was familiar with such volunteerism but not from Americans. Reportedly their company was experimenting with test samples during another disease outbreak in Africa some years back. What became of it? I imagine if you “google it” you will find out. Let’s look at their “flu tracking.”

Google and CDC: Data and Influenza

Google has reportedly utilized “flu tracking” methods in the U.S. In the journal, Nature, Declan Butler’s February 13, 2013 article, “When Google got flu wrong,” we find little has changed in the last seven years.

The article highlights a problem that goes back at least two decades. It also notes the CDCs collaboration with the search engine and media platform (https://www.nature.com/news/when-google-got-flu-wrong-1.12413):

“This year’s US flu season started around November and seems to have peaked just after Christmas, making it the earliest flu season since 2003. It is also causing more serious illness and deaths than usual, particularly among the elderly, because, just as in 2003, the predominant strain this year is H3N2 — the most virulent of the three main seasonal flu strains.”

After seven years, how is it that government and platforms known for tracking people haven’t been able to track a little bug? Google and CDC, what went wrong?

According to https://datacollaboratives.org/cases/google-flu-trends.html

“Launched in 2008, Google Flu Trends intended to combine data from the CDC with search terms containing flu-related information to estimate influenza activity in 25 countries. Researchers proposed that these search data, tuned into flu tracking information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, could “nowcast” estimates of flu prevalence. However, the first version of Google Flu Trends was flawed in its data collection and modeling practices…Google Flu Trends missed 2013’s peak flu season by 140 percent. Subsequent revisions encountered similar problems.”

Systems and algorithms are not complicated to set up. Throw in a few apps and plugins, tracking should be a cinch right? Then, what’s the problem Google? Right. It appears that there’s no money in tracking viruses. Of course, if the “virus” wants to sign an advertising contract… 😉

Hmm, so how do you get Americans to voluntarily provide DNA samples and examine genetic markers if they’re not “sick?” A pandemic! Well, would you look at that, COVID-19 has provided a perfect opportunity.  And let’s not forget about companies who have sold people on the idea of “connecting” with their ancestors.

Yep, there’s lots you can learn from DNA, and lots of money to be made from patenting DNA. But for some companies obtaining results of your DNA tests requires you supply personal information along with pertinent samples. With such a diverse amount of data, experience testing, and use of apps it’s a shame these companies aren’t able to test you for a virus in a matter of seconds.

Lab “Human Experience”

Like the security gadgets nesting in your home, who do you suppose would want to have access to you and your health data? Being “caged up” during lockdown one sure can empathize with the bird in the cage or zoo animals.

Have you noticed companies selling you a product or service concern over your “customer experience?” Health sector is no different. As I pointed out in my July 2019 report, my research investigation into U.S. Healthcare led me to a conversation with the Director of a lab diagnostic and testing facility.

After two incomplete tests required me to re-test, I spoke with the Director. His response was to “apologize for the inconvenience” explaining the he was brought in to address customer complaints. Also, that he was “charged with having his new staff engage and focus on the customer experience making it more convenient for the customer.”

I offered my own charges: 1. People do not enjoy driving to a lab facility to have blood drawn and offer specimens; 2. A small waiting room with no ventilation crammed with dozens of people (some elderly and others coughing and sneezing) is not ideal; and 3.These “customers” expect reliable diagnostic tests to be conducted by qualified and trained personnel and not be told by their doctors that the tests were not fully completed and for them to return.

Speaking to various workers, it became clear their turnover was high. But this scenario was not unique to this one lab. I submitted samples with one of their competitors. Same results and same personnel problems.   

If labs in the U.S. are unable to hire the necessary number of competent workers to conduct routine tests with reliable results, how will they obtain the necessary personnel to run COVID-19 tests?

Mandating Tests and Vaccines?

Permanence of Telemedicine and Telehealth is expected to be the new norm. Lockdown easily created opportunities for locking in data and human beings. State officials are welcoming and profiting from future partnerships with media social companies. No surprise, as one does not elect saints into office.

Israel and U.S. Democracies are themselves being tested. People are strongly divided between keeping the status quo or removal of heads of state. Israel’s domestic and foreign policies like its ally have raised suspicion and protests from their citizens. Americans have not only lost trust in their government and institutions but question the validity of their Police Officers as seen in their decades long “war on drugs” resulting in incarcerations and killings of unarmed civilians, primarily African Americans.

Governments may in time develop mandatory guidelines incorporated into vehicle and municipal codes requiring testing and vaccines. As it stands, police officers can require drivers to undertake sobriety tests and/or administer breath detectors to check for alcohol levels. Why not incorporate a virus test? What company manufactures such tests?

Interestingly, Israel has reportedly created such a test. Like other innovations, U.S. can conveniently apply it to its citizens. But how will they be implemented in countries where protests against presidents, military and justice department continue? Culpability lies not on officers or defense soldiers but those who wrongly command or fail to do so properly.

U.S. Governors’ mandates either follow CDC guidelines or as some Republicans’ actions demonstrate follow the “marching orders” from their President. However, former Democrat California Governor Jerry Brown denied not being prepared with PPEs stockpiles shrugging off the validity of critiques calling them “fairy tales.” Speaking of tales and fairies, the words of the current governor does not inspire confidence.

Governor Gavin Newsom recently noted how a “cringe went up his spine” hearing of continued large gatherings and people opposed to wearing a mask. Previously, when asked about how his state will be directing local jurisdictions in enforcing COVID-19 guidelines, Newsom’s replied, “I cannot mandate. I can only influence.” Sir, Americans we’ll be sure to remember your words if you run for reelection.

The public has had enough of celebrity influencers who are unable to “mandate” or lead by example. In the current dangerous pandemic, any president or “leader” who suggests children return to school while keeping their own safe at home appears to have his own interests in mind and not the public’s.  Children should never be required to “line up” and be put in harm’s way or risk death. Parents and Guardians, you have the final mandate.

For most of us, days of school exams or military training have past. At worst, we earned a lesser grade or were hollered at. At best, school and service to our country presented us knowledge and built strength, honor and character. But neither made us question its importance or legitimacy.

Uncertainty and unreliability surrounding COVID-19 testing and soon to be administered vaccines will likely continue to force citizens into experimentations. A sense of uneasiness develops. Suddenly those not so good memories of bad school days return.

Depending on what country you called home as a child, you remember seeking cover during airstrikes, tribal warfare shootings, villages raided, people attacked and abductions or women and children, snow storms, tornados, fires or earthquakes. If you were lucky you got through it alive.

Ironically, as you stand or drive in line for tests you realize that you’re nothing more than a “test dummy” following orders and “fall into formation”  all the while hoping the test you receive is reliable. You ask yourself, “Will I get lucky or will I be the unlucky dummy who got targeted to receive the dud test and vaccine ending in a crash?”

You can almost hear your Teacher or Lieutenant’s voice, “You’re holding the line. Move it along! Hut, two, three, four…”