#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: brave.com/lex - Athletic Greens: athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil - ExpressVPN: expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free - Cash App: cash.app/ and use code LexPodcast to get $10 EPISODE LINKS: Michael's Twitter: twitter.com/michaelmina_lab Michael's Time article: time.com/5912705/covid-19-stop-spread-christmas/ Rapid Tests: rapidtests.org/ PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: facebook.com/LexFridmanPage - Medium: 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