Journalists please ask WHO to clarify the "asymptomatic" claim in writing—not just repeat their unclear statement, but actually clarify—and to provide evidence. It's a very important question and the confusion has already done great damage.https://twitter.com/gmleunghku/status/1270127930136424449 …
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Do ask: if they have data to share, preferably multi-country, on proportions of symptomatic, presymptomatic and asymptomatic transmission; how each was defined/measured; and their interpretation of the many studies cited above that show substantive presymptomatic transmission.
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I heard what sounded like the same claim from a WHO committee a few weeks ago; we were all startled the way science Twitter has been today; we quickly asked for clarification and data (always happy to follow the evidence) and have not received a reply yet. Clarity would be great.
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The claim has taken off like wildfire, with thousands of people asking why we had to wear masks, shut down schools, or even socially-distance if all we had to do was find and isolate symptomatic cases. It's just not acceptable to say something so significant and then not clarify.
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Many have interpretations of what the WHO may have meant—they were talking about never symptomatic not presymptomatic, etc. I humbly suggest that we are not in a position to interpret, but to demand clarity and evidence. I've been trying to understand, too, and I have no clarity.
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Replying to @zeynep
If they have some hidden data, great (doubt it), but in the absence of that when they’re talking about transmission I’m not sure why this emphasized distinction between a/presymptomatic would even matter.
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Replying to @AaronRichterman
Believe me, I've been trying to understand for awhile now. It's either spectacular hidden data (WTF but okay; let's see it) or an absolutely unnecessary statement (since no practical import). But watch the presser. That's not what they mean as far as I can humanly tell.
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Because it was followed by a strong emphasis on needing to find symptomatic cases, rather than something like "the truly asymptomatic PCR+ people have much lower rates of transmission, but, please remember that the studies that show infectiousness peaks while presymptomatic."
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