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

Michael Mina is an immunologist, epidemiologist, and physician at Harvard. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
–Brave:https://brave.com/lex
–Athletic Greens:https://athleticgreens.com/lexand use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil
–ExpressVPN:https://expressvpn.com/lexpodand use code LexPod to get 3 months free
–Cash App:https://cash.app/and use code LexPodcast to get $10

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:
Podcast website:https://lexfridman.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/2lwqZIr
Spotify:https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
RSS:https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
YouTube Full Episodes:https://youtube.com/lexfridman
YouTube Clips:https://youtube.com/lexclips

SUPPORT & CONNECT:
– Check out the sponsors above, it’s the best way to support this podcast
– Support on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman
– Twitter:https://twitter.com/lexfridman
– Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman
– LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman
– Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/LexFridmanPage
– Medium:https://medium.com/@lexfridman

OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(07:28) – Interacting between viruses and bacteria
(11:42) – Deadlier viruses
(15:13) – Will COVID-19 mutate?
(16:47) – Rapid testing
(34:11) – PCR vs rapid antigen tests
(43:55) – Medical industrial complex
(47:47) – Lex takes COVID test
(54:32) – FDA and cheap tests
(57:17) – Explanation of Elon Musk’s positive COVID tests
(1:04:25) – Role of testing during vaccine deployment
(1:07:54) – Public health policy
(1:17:34) – A weather system for viruses
(1:34:26) – Can a virus kill all humans?
(1:40:05) – Engineering a deadly virus
(1:44:47) – AlphaFold 2 and viruses
(1:50:42) – Advice for young people
(1:58:50) – Time as a Buddhist monk
(2:04:54) – Meditation
(2:12:32) – Meaning of life