Episode
#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
2:19:17
Published: Sat Dec 19 2020
Description
Michael Mina is an immunologist, epidemiologist, and physician at Harvard. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Brave: https://brave.com/lex - Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil - ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free - Cash App: https://cash.app/ and use code LexPodcast to get $10 EPISODE LINKS: Michael's Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelmina_lab Michael's Time article: https://time.com/5912705/covid-19-stop-spread-christmas/ Rapid Tests: https://www.rapidtests.org/ PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LexFridmanPage - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (07:28) - Interacting between viruses and bacteria (11:42) - Deadlier viruses (15:13) - Will COVID-19 mutate? (16:47) - Rapid testing (34:11) - PCR vs rapid antigen tests (43:55) - Medical industrial complex (47:47) - Lex takes COVID test (54:32) - FDA and cheap tests (57:17) - Explanation of Elon Musk's positive COVID tests (1:04:25) - Role of testing during vaccine deployment (1:07:54) - Public health policy (1:17:34) - A weather system for viruses (1:34:26) - Can a virus kill all humans? (1:40:05) - Engineering a deadly virus (1:44:47) - AlphaFold 2 and viruses (1:50:42) - Advice for young people (1:58:50) - Time as a Buddhist monk (2:04:54) - Meditation (2:12:32) - Meaning of life
Chapters
In this episode, Michael Minna, a professor at Harvard, discusses his approach to finding solutions to infectious diseases, specifically focusing on the importance of cheap, rapid at-home testing for COVID-19.
00:00 - 01:35 (01:35)
Summary
In this episode, Michael Minna, a professor at Harvard, discusses his approach to finding solutions to infectious diseases, specifically focusing on the importance of cheap, rapid at-home testing for COVID-19. The discussion emphasizes the accuracy and practicality of these tests and the value in pursuing engineering solutions that respect science and data.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast mentions the sponsorship of Athletic Greens and Brave Browser, with the former offering a one-month free supply of their Omega-3 fish oil supplement and the latter pitching a fast and privacy-preserving browser with no ads or tracking.
01:35 - 06:49 (05:13)
Summary
The podcast mentions the sponsorship of Athletic Greens and Brave Browser, with the former offering a one-month free supply of their Omega-3 fish oil supplement and the latter pitching a fast and privacy-preserving browser with no ads or tracking.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The more opportunities a virus has to spread within a population, the greater chance it has of mutating and potentially causing more damage than before.
06:49 - 16:30 (09:40)
Summary
The more opportunities a virus has to spread within a population, the greater chance it has of mutating and potentially causing more damage than before. Choosing not to wear masks or implement preventive measures could impact the efficacy of our immune system's defense against viruses in the long term.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Rapid testing empowers people to know if they are infected and gives them the opportunity to not spread the virus to others, which is crucial in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
16:30 - 24:02 (07:32)
Summary
Rapid testing empowers people to know if they are infected and gives them the opportunity to not spread the virus to others, which is crucial in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Big money is driving the faulty thinking behind the aggressive and complicated testing approach in the United States, rather than prioritizing public health.
24:02 - 29:42 (05:40)
Summary
Big money is driving the faulty thinking behind the aggressive and complicated testing approach in the United States, rather than prioritizing public health. It's time to empower people and take the power away from those in charge.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The US government should be buying and distributing 20-40 million COVID tests every day to achieve effective herd immunity and prevent onward transmission of the virus.
29:43 - 33:57 (04:13)
Summary
The US government should be buying and distributing 20-40 million COVID tests every day to achieve effective herd immunity and prevent onward transmission of the virus.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The most basic form of rapid antigen tests involves paper strips that are dipped into a tube and pulled up through capillary action.
33:58 - 38:06 (04:08)
Summary
The most basic form of rapid antigen tests involves paper strips that are dipped into a tube and pulled up through capillary action. These simple tests fit in the palm of your hand and can detect the presence of the virus in minutes.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The three main types of COVID-19 tests are ones that detect the genetic material of the virus (RT-PCR), ones that detect the presence of antigens (rapid antigen), and ones that detect antibodies that have been produced in response to the virus.
38:08 - 42:27 (04:18)
Summary
The three main types of COVID-19 tests are ones that detect the genetic material of the virus (RT-PCR), ones that detect the presence of antigens (rapid antigen), and ones that detect antibodies that have been produced in response to the virus. Antigen tests are generally only positive if people have actively replicating virus in them.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
High sensitivity PCR tests can cause people to stay positive for weeks or months after their infection has subsided, which is becoming a major public health problem.
42:27 - 49:00 (06:33)
Summary
High sensitivity PCR tests can cause people to stay positive for weeks or months after their infection has subsided, which is becoming a major public health problem.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker is explaining the process of using an Abbott test by applying a specific buffer to the test swab.
49:00 - 50:38 (01:37)
Summary
The speaker is explaining the process of using an Abbott test by applying a specific buffer to the test swab.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Confirmatory antigen or RT-PCR tests are recommended to increase accuracy and avoid false positive results in COVID-19 testing.
50:38 - 57:16 (06:37)
Summary
Confirmatory antigen or RT-PCR tests are recommended to increase accuracy and avoid false positive results in COVID-19 testing. Immediate testing with a different method is crucial for positive cases to prevent transmission.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The article explores the limitations of antigen tests for Covid-19 and how CEOs of large companies may not want to rely solely on them to make decisions for their employees' health and safety.
57:16 - 1:01:25 (04:08)
Summary
The article explores the limitations of antigen tests for Covid-19 and how CEOs of large companies may not want to rely solely on them to make decisions for their employees' health and safety.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
A podcast speaker suggests that physicians may not be the most qualified people to make decisions about public health, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
1:01:26 - 1:09:27 (08:00)
Summary
A podcast speaker suggests that physicians may not be the most qualified people to make decisions about public health, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, he suggests that engineers like Elon Musk could make a significant impact with the ability to create rapid COVID-19 tests in the tens of millions per day.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
COVID-19 tests alone cannot be considered as a complete public health solution, as they do not address people's overall wellbeing, including psychological and financial needs.
1:09:27 - 1:14:54 (05:26)
Summary
COVID-19 tests alone cannot be considered as a complete public health solution, as they do not address people's overall wellbeing, including psychological and financial needs. Although the FDA does not evaluate these tests as public health tools, it is essential to consider their limitations.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
There is a debate over whether tests should be defined as public health tools or medical devices.
1:14:55 - 1:21:21 (06:25)
Summary
There is a debate over whether tests should be defined as public health tools or medical devices. The FDA's authorization of tests as medical devices is diluting down the practice of medicine and hindering the creation of a new field of public health engineering.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The collection of big data can have a positive impact on the world and specifically help with creating weather maps for viruses.
1:21:21 - 1:31:16 (09:55)
Summary
The collection of big data can have a positive impact on the world and specifically help with creating weather maps for viruses. With the donation of blood, plasma and hospital visits becoming part of epidemiological tools, privacy must still be maintained.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
With the help of AI, patterns in people's immune responses could have been detected to identify the spread of the coronavirus in 2020, even without actively searching for it.
1:31:17 - 1:39:40 (08:23)
Summary
With the help of AI, patterns in people's immune responses could have been detected to identify the spread of the coronavirus in 2020, even without actively searching for it. Using this technology, abnormalities in the immune response caused by a novel virus can be quickly identified in order to prevent further spread.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Machine learning can be used for both good and bad purposes, such as designing viruses to attack cancer cells or creating viruses that are untargeted by the immune system to cause harm, highlighting the importance of understanding how proteins work.
1:39:40 - 1:49:01 (09:20)
Summary
Machine learning can be used for both good and bad purposes, such as designing viruses to attack cancer cells or creating viruses that are untargeted by the immune system to cause harm, highlighting the importance of understanding how proteins work.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The key to solving big world problems is thinking big and communicating your vision to the world.
1:49:02 - 1:58:45 (09:43)
Summary
The key to solving big world problems is thinking big and communicating your vision to the world. It is important to get out of the mode of thinking about things as problems and approaching them with a solution-oriented mindset.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker shares their experience with meditation and Turvada Buddhism, highlighting the euphoric stage of mindfulness where quieting the mind for hours at a time becomes possible.
1:58:45 - 2:08:41 (09:56)
Summary
The speaker shares their experience with meditation and Turvada Buddhism, highlighting the euphoric stage of mindfulness where quieting the mind for hours at a time becomes possible. There is a focus on the prescribed steps of meditation and the idea of finding accomplishment in the practice.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses the difference between the Western view of life as the most precious thing in the world and the view of some cultures that life is just another opportunity to escape it.
2:08:41 - 2:17:06 (08:24)
Summary
The speaker discusses the difference between the Western view of life as the most precious thing in the world and the view of some cultures that life is just another opportunity to escape it. He also expresses a belief that humans are simply robots with complex algorithms.
Episode#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
A famous quote from Theodore Roosevelt highlights the importance of striving for greatness and daring greatly, even in the face of failure.
2:17:06 - 2:18:58 (01:51)
Summary
A famous quote from Theodore Roosevelt highlights the importance of striving for greatness and daring greatly, even in the face of failure. An unrelated advertisement for Brave browser is included in the text.