Topic: Lab Technicians

A discussion regarding the technical settings of PCR tests highlights that lab technicians often follow protocols validated by the FDA and manufacturers without personal discretion. Comparisons are made to quality assurance in the aerospace industry, where employees may feel pressured to certify faulty equipment. There is a call for lab professionals to speak out about how cycle thresholds and interpretations influence the reported number of COVID-19 cases.

A Thermo Fisher assay instruction sheet reportedly recommends 45 cycles for PCR testing, significantly higher than the standard 30 cycles. Maria Van Kerkhove of the World Health Organization defended the accuracy of PCR tests in a media briefing, emphasizing their global credibility. However, the lack of transparency regarding specific cycle counts used in different countries suggests a potential for manipulating data to justify lockdowns.