Michael Mina: Rapid Testing, Viruses, and the Engineering Mindset | Lex Fridman Podcast #146

Michael Mina is an immunologist, epidemiologist, and physician at Harvard. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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EPISODE LINKS:
Michael’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelmina_lab
Michael’s Time article: https://time.com/5912705/covid-19-stop-spread-christmas/
Rapid Tests: https://www.rapidtests.org/

PODCAST INFO:
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Clips playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOeciFP3CBCIEElOJeitOr41

OUTLINE:
0:00 – Introduction
2:32 – Interacting between viruses and bacteria
6:45 – Deadlier viruses
10:17 – Will COVID-19 mutate?
11:51 – Rapid testing
29:15 – PCR vs rapid antigen tests
38:59 – Medical industrial complex
42:51 – Lex takes COVID test
49:35 – FDA and cheap tests
52:21 – Explanation of Elon Musk’s positive COVID tests
59:29 – Role of testing during vaccine deployment
1:02:58 – Public health policy
1:12:38 – A weather system for viruses
1:29:30 – Can a virus kill all humans?
1:35:09 – Engineering a deadly virus
1:39:51 – AlphaFold 2 and viruses
1:45:46 – Advice for young people
1:53:54 – Time as a buddhist monk
1:59:58 – Meditation
2:07:36 – Meaning of life

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