On Fri, 13 Mar 2020 14:41:00 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:



I think the complaints about the lack of Test Kits
in the USA is a lot of noise but may not be as
meaningful as it would seem.

We are reminded daily that South Korea produced kits
and tests 20,000 people *daily*.

Yet, South Korea has 7,979 confirmed cases of coronavirus
(and still rising) in a population of 51.5 million.

The USA with a shortage of kits is only testing 200-300
people a day. Yet, with a population over 6 times that
of South Korea, the USA has about 1,600 confirmed cases.


How is the availability of test kits helping South Korea?

It is allowing them to claim a lower death rate as those mildly
affected just shake this thing off.
I saw a stat today that says it is closer to 81% who have mild to
moderate symptoms. As more mildly affected are tested, I expect that
will rise farther.
Other than just juking the stats, I am not sure what the test does
since there is no specific treatment. They just mitigate the symptoms,
whether it is garden variety COPD, emphysema or C-19.