5 Minute Test Anyone?24 Sep 2020 05:46
Forbes reporting that American Airlines And Lufthansa Look To Preflight Testing To Protect Passengers From Coronavirus
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tedreed/2020/09/23/american-and-lufthansa-move-towards-preflight-testing-to-protect-airline-passengers-from-covid-19/
Both Lufthansa, which has opened four preflight testing centers in Germany, and American Airlines are exploring whether to offer preflight testing in the U.S., ramping up efforts to protect passengers from Covid-19.
American Airlines has asked for proposals from 150 rapid testing providers, Alison Taylor, American chief customer officer, said Wednesday during a World Aviation Festival panel.
“We are looking seriously at rapid testing as we explore options for boosting confidence in air travel,” said American spokeswoman Martha Thomas.
Lufthansa is working to upgrade its testing capability and also to be able to offer testing at airports in Canada, the U.S. and China. The carrier is “trying to build up travel corridors, with testing on both ends, with China and trying with the U.S.,” he said.
For the moment, most European countries ban most U.S. citizens from entry due to the U.S. failure to control the coronavirus.
As for testing methods, Lufthansa’s four centers offer PCR testing, which detect the virus’s genetic material, but it takes several hours to provide results. Antigen tests detect specific proteins in the virus, and results can be provided in less than an hour. Airport wait times are key for airline passengers.
Becker said Lufthansa is planning to move to antigen testing as soon as next month.
“The PCR method is widely validated (and) has been easy,” Becker said. “Antigen tests are not that widespread yet (and) are not validated for any country for immigration right now.”
Testing will likely be necessary for the next 12 to 18 months, he said. Beyond that timeframe, many travelers are likely to have been vaccinated.
Testing is not a premium service. Testing is a service for every customer.”
In a recent memo to employees, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said, “Testing, along with face masks, air filtration, social distancing, disinfecting and other health and safety measures, is not only protecting each of you, it is helping to build trust that will serve us well when demand recovers in the months and years ahead.”
PCR testing takes several hours for a result. Does anyone know anyone with a 5 minute test? Absolutely. Proof of Concept planned to be available early October from Paraytec/Sheffield University. Looks like big business demand could help fund manufacturing and production!
Demand Vs Supply!
This could be nassive!
Test, test, test
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