PCR tests in a nutshell

Although I get the joke, its really frustrating as a laboratory worker to see PCR testing as the end all be all. PCR is a very sensitive test, which is why it causes so many erranous results when used for screening. It is so absurdly easy to contaminate the swabs with mucous, which is where viruses and bacteria are supposed to get stuck, so you don't get sick, or for it to pick up latent virus if you had been infected and never knew, never passed it on, and never got sick. It is supposed to be used as a supplement to bolster a diagnosis, not necessarily screen for one. Both PCR and antigen tests (which I personally find to be the better option) have their drawbacks. But people need to always be looking critically at science, because it is just that: science. Its not gospel, and it is not always 100% right. And if anyone ever tells you that a process can't be improved upon, they are lying to you.