Some do, some don’t, some will, some won’t, I might
Last week I finally managed to get an appointment for an antibody test. The test is now available through a host of private labs throughout Milan, at varying costs starting at approximately €35. There are three different tests you can take, the most basic, which tests for only IgG, the second for IgG and IgM and the third, which tests for the latter two as well as IgA. I’ve been trying to research the difference between these antibodies, and while I can’t get much information about IgA (in fact, in the U.S the CDC doesn’t recommend testing for them at all), my understanding is that IgM antibodies develop in the case of a recent or active infection, while IgG antibodies develop later on and stay in your blood for life.
I have been curious to take the serological test for some time, as I did spend time (unknowingly) with my friend Frank when he was positive at the end of February. While we didn’t touch, he gave me a ride in his car, and he gave me a book, so air and surfaces were shared. In March, there was a period where I felt a bit off, but I wasn’t sure if I was sick or just imagining things. I had a mild fever, a funny niggling cough, and occasional chest pain. This could easily have been anxiety. I chose to take the test for IgG and IgM, as I was unable to understand the added value of testing for IgA. If anyone knows, please feel free to illuminate me.
Yesterday I was called with my result, which was negative for IgM (no current or recent infection), but “unclear” for IgG. To be precise, the word the lab used was dubbio which means doubt. I am neither negative nor positive. I may or may not have had it. The lab suggested I talk to my doctor about next steps and possibly getting a PCR test. Bewildered by this result, I called my General Practitioner (from the public healthcare system) who, after a long and bizarre discussion concluded I needed to take no further action.
Well, that was kind of a disappointment. I still don’t know if I’ve had the “Rona” (as it’s commonly referred to by the youth), nor do I think that the state healthcare system has in any way registered that I have taken the antibody test, nor what the result was, nor planned any follow-up. I mean, shouldn’t I retake the test in a few weeks? At no point did anyone suggest I download the tracing app, either. To date only 3,3 million Italians have downloaded the app, which is roughly 6% of the population. My conclusion: All this testing through private labs is just a racket to make money. The testing has error margins or uncertainty factors, and finally, the Italian government is in no way on top of tracking and tracing. The front line of this effort should be your General Practitioner, but it was evident from my conversation with my doctor, that she really didn’t have the background or training to deal with this. In addition, an initiative to perform antibody tests on a sample of 150,000 people has been a total flop, only 23% of those contacted by the Red Cross who is organising the drive, agreed to do it.
On an upbeat note, I spent the weekend at the seaside in Liguria and had my first dip. It was the first time I left Milan since February 22. And what a great feeling it was! I was looking forward to not having to wear a mask outside, but it appears that it’s also mandatory to wear one in this region of Italy, though you could take it off at the beach. To access the private beach, I had to have my temperature measured and sign a disclaimer that I have had no symptoms of Covid-19. By now, temperature measurement has become the second national sport in Italy after soccer. Wherever you go, they check it. Oh, and the Ministry of Education has just released its guidelines for schools to reopen in September. I had a quick glance, but didn’t really understand much, so you’ll have to give me to time to study the matter and give you my commentary in the next post. The one thing I can tell you though, is that no Plexiglas or visors are involved, thank goodness.