The Tesla founder and multi-billionaire Elon Musk (49) shares a sensational Twitter post on Friday. It turns out that he has tested himself four times for corona in one day.
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However, it is not the number of tests that catches the attention, but the result of them.
“Something extremely dubious is going on. I was tested four times today. Two tests came back negative, two came back positive. The same machine, the same test, the same nurse “, writes Musk.
Something extremely bogus is going on. Was tested for covid four times today. Two tests came back negative, two came back positive. Same machine, same test, same nurse. Rapid antigen test from BD.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2020
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According to Bloomberg The multi-billionaire took some rapid tests for antibodies that give you results within fifteen minutes, but the test is less reliable than other tests.
Musk further explains in another Twitter post that he has symptoms of a cold, but that there is currently nothing “abnormal” with the symptoms so far.
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Trying to explain
When asked by a Twitter user about such false positive tests as Musks, could be the reason for such a large increase in the United States, Musk answers:
“If it happens to me, it happens to others. I get PCR tests from separate labs. The results will take about 24 hours ».
If it’s happening to me, it’s happening to others. I’m getting PCR tests from separate labs. Results will take about 24 hours.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2020
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However, a doctor named Eugene Gu has tried to explain what may have happened. Gu explains that it has something to do with the order in which Musk received his results.
“If the first two responses were negative from earlier in the day, and the two taken later in the day were positive, this may mean that in the meantime you have crossed the threshold to detect the coronavirus as it develops in the body,” he continues.
It matters what order you received those results. If you had the first two tests come back negative earlier in the day and then the last two tests come back positive later in the day, then it could mean you passed the threshold for detecting the coronavirus as they replicated.
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) November 13, 2020
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Gets criticism
Others criticize Musk for the Twitter post.
– An insanely irresponsible Twitter post, writes in, mens en other follows up with:
“I can not believe people think you’re smart.”
NTB has also previously discussed the issue of false positive tests in the United States. Because rapid tests are more prone to false negative answers and sometimes require re-testing, most health experts say they should be registered and analyzed separately from other tests.
