Both are a form of coronavirus. Is is possible that the common code could be the cause of a number of false positives and/or positive tests for asymptomatics?

Seems very unlikely. When they develop the test kits they check for cross reactions to other known human coronaviruses.

As I understand it, and I may be completely wrong, the inaccuracies in testing are mostly false negatives.

On a side note my daughter tested positive last night and feels like dog ***** She is 12. Son is 9 and headed to school and vaccinated wife is headed to teach. Lucky work from home dad today.

chjoak said:

---

Both are a form of coronavirus. Is is possible that the common code could be the cause of a number of false positives and/or positive tests for asymptomatics?

---

My son (9) and seven other kids in his class tested positive over the last week. He's just past 10 days from symptom onset and is still congested. I did wonder if they were otherwise asymptomatic and had a cold virus hit their class that caused them to get tested when they otherwise wouldn't have.

agsalaska said:

---

As I understand it, and I may be completely wrong, the inaccuracies in testing are mostly false negatives.

---

My recollection could be wrong but i believe you have that backwards. My boss who is a vax/mask/social distance nazi just had to cancel a vacation because he got a false positive and there was no time to retest before his flight.

Quick google search... false negatives are most common in the first 2-3 days of infection and are generally caused by the individual not having enough virus in their system yet. false positives can happen at any point but generally happen more often with certain types of tests. The google sources where I read that info were trying to talk up the accuracy of testing but I can't help but question the reported number of positives especially when looking at the number of those that have no symptoms. Fauci & the CDC at various times have thrown out claims that 30-40% of our positive cases are asymptomatic. Are those really asymptomatic or are they false positives?

They're really asymptomatic. They test the tests against known positive and negative samples to determine the specificity / sensitivity numbers, then they also test the tests against other known samples to check for cross-reactivity. It's not just "Fauci and the CDC" finding this. Other countries see the same thing.

I get your wife who is vaccinated going to school but I am surprised your district doesn't regulate someone with a household contact attending? Seems likely to just spread to his class and pass on the negative effects of staying off work to other parents who perhaps aren't able to work from home.

bay fan said:

---

I get your wife who is vaccinated going to school but I am surprised your district doesn't regulate someone with a household contact attending? Seems likely to just spread to his class and pass on the negative effects of staying off work to other parents who perhaps aren't able to work from home.

---

Apparently they just changed their minds. Called me as I was taking him and said they had new protocols. He is out ten days. Though I think he can go back with two negative tests after she is negative.

Guess I'm not going to Denver for the game. Dang. That was my only road game planned fir the year.

My kids attend Houston private middle and high schools. Their policies are:

• If kid tests positive: Kid is out 10 days and must isolate. Kid can return on day 11 if fever free. Negative test not required.
• If kid is in contact with someone who is lab confirmed positive: Kid is out of school and must stay away from known positive. They can take PCR Covid test on Day 5 after contact with positive person. Kid returns to school if their test is negative. Alternatively, if you don't want to test, kid can stay out for 10 days and return on day 11 if showing no symptoms.

For the high school, kid can audit his classes remotely, which means watch the class online, but can't actively ask questions. For the middle school, the teachers prepared and sent home a package each day with the work done in class. They also had a daily check-in with the teachers via Zoom.

Our ISD is being sensible...

Quote:

---

Positive students and staff must quarantine for 10 days following a positive test or onset of symptoms. They may return if all the following criteria are met:
10 days have passed since symptoms began or if asymptomatic since positive test result, and Fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications (acetaminophen, ibuprofen), and
Improvement in symptoms

Students or staff who are experiencing symptoms may be sent home and must quarantine for 10 days after the onset of symptoms. They may return if one of the following criteria is met:
10 day stay-at-home period, or
Obtain a negative COVID test, or
Alternate diagnosis from a medical professional

Positive cases (students and staff) will be tracked on the district's COVID-19 Dashboard. The dashboard will be updated daily throughout the school year.

Contact tracing will not take place, and students and staff will not be required to quarantine for exposure.

---