#146 – Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset

About this episode

<p>Michael Mina is an immunologist, epidemiologist, and physician at Harvard. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:<br /> &#8211; <b>Brave</b>: <a href="https://brave.com/lex">https://brave.com/lex</a><br /> &#8211; <b>Athletic Greens</b>: <a href="https://athleticgreens.com/lex">https://athleticgreens.com/lex</a> and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil<br /> &#8211; <b>ExpressVPN</b>: <a href="https://expressvpn.com/lexpod">https://expressvpn.com/lexpod</a> and use code LexPod to get 3 months free<br /> &#8211; <b>Cash App</b>: <a href="https://cash.app/">https://cash.app/</a> and use code LexPodcast to get $10</p> <p><b>EPISODE LINKS:</b><br /> Michael&#8217;s Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelmina_lab">https://twitter.com/michaelmina_lab</a><br /> Michael&#8217;s Time article: <a href="https://time.com/5912705/covid-19-stop-spread-christmas/">https://time.com/5912705/covid-19-stop-spread-christmas/</a><br /> Rapid Tests: <a href="https://www.rapidtests.org/">https://www.rapidtests.org/</a></p> <p><b>PODCAST INFO:</b><br /> Podcast website: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/podcast">https://lexfridman.com/podcast</a><br /> Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://apple.co/2lwqZIr">https://apple.co/2lwqZIr</a><br /> Spotify: <a href="https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8">https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8</a><br /> RSS: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/">https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/</a><br /> YouTube Full Episodes: <a href="https://youtube.com/lexfridman">https://youtube.com/lexfridman</a><br /> YouTube Clips: <a href="https://youtube.com/lexclips">https://youtube.com/lexclips</a></p> <p><b>SUPPORT &#38; CONNECT:</b><br /> &#8211; Check out the sponsors above, it&#8217;s the best way to support this podcast<br /> &#8211; Support on Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman">https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/lexfridman">https://twitter.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman">https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LexFridmanPage">https://www.facebook.com/LexFridmanPage</a><br /> &#8211; Medium: <a href="https://medium.com/@lexfridman">https://medium.com/@lexfridman</a></p> <p><b>OUTLINE:</b><br /> Here&#8217;s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.<br /> (00:00) &#8211; Introduction<br /> (07:28) &#8211; Interacting between viruses and bacteria<br /> (11:42) &#8211; Deadlier viruses<br /> (15:13) &#8211; Will COVID-19 mutate?<br /> (16:47) &#8211; Rapid testing<br /> (34:11) &#8211; PCR vs rapid antigen tests<br /> (43:55) &#8211; Medical industrial complex<br /> (47:47) &#8211; Lex takes COVID test<br /> (54:32) &#8211; FDA and cheap tests<br /> (57:17) &#8211; Explanation of Elon Musk&#8217;s positive COVID tests<br /> (1:04:25) &#8211; Role of testing during vaccine deployment<br /> (1:07:54) &#8211; Public health policy<br /> (1:17:34) &#8211; A weather system for viruses<br /> (1:34:26) &#8211; Can a virus kill all humans?<br /> (1:40:05) &#8211; Engineering a deadly virus<br /> (1:44:47) &#8211; AlphaFold 2 and viruses<br /> (1:50:42) &#8211; Advice for young people<br /> (1:58:50) &#8211; Time as a Buddhist monk<br /> (2:04:54) &#8211; Meditation<br /> (2:12:32) &#8211; Meaning of life</p>