If not this, then what?
Like others, I was interested in the article because of Lyme and other diseases. Ticks really do suck.
I appreciate all the science-y comments though I understand very little. I appreciate comments about personal experiences with ticks, getting bitten, and getting sick.
I’m left with this: If this test is not really a viable solution (or at least one solution) to the problem of the unaffordability of visits to the doctor, what is a better solution. I would put all options on the table and move things like universal health care to the “working on it but not helpful right now” pile of solutions.
Growing up near the epicenter of Lyme disease (which is awful) - it’s not that hard to deal with on a regular basis (I probably take half a dozen plus attached ticks off me year. When your pre-in-post shower - tick check. Take them off, worried they were on for a while, doxycycline as prophylactic. Feel crappy afterwards doctor+blood test / maybe antibiotics. It sucks but it’s manageable. Bourbon virus and alpha gal are super scary. When you k ow about them it’s easier to manage - when you’re oblivious it’s when it’s really dangerous.
What would be way more useful is a quick blood test (pin prick type à la thernos) that could diagnose early for treatment.