4 chapters across the catalog
Poison control centers are warning about the presence of sodium azide, a toxic chemical, in the reagent liquid of at-home COVID testing kits. There have been hundreds of reported exposures nationwide, particularly among children. The hosts question why this is not a larger news story given the 60 million kits distributed by the government.
Government COVID Tests, Freezing Weather Damage
USA Today reports that at-home COVID-19 tests shipped by the government may be invalidated by freezing temperatures. The liquid reagents in the test cartridges are susceptible to cold, potentially leading to false results for millions of recipients.
Florida Medical Examiner Critiques FDA Emergency Use Authorizations
A chief medical examiner from Florida provides an anonymous report regarding the inconsistencies in COVID-19 death certificate protocols. The report claims that many PCR tests and reagents used under FDA Emergency Use Authorization are not fully approved and lack standardized targets. The examiner notes that different labs are amplifying different strands of RNA, leading to a lack of uniform data across the state.
South Korea, COVID-19 Testing Strategy and Transparency
South Korea's low fatality rate is attributed to a highly wired healthcare system and the rapid development of testing reagents following the release of the virus's genetic sequence in January. The country has processed over 250,000 tests, focusing on early detection and transparency to maintain public trust.
