LISTEN: Kids are using cola to create false positives for COVID-19 to bunk school
A new trend that has been circulating on TikTok of kids in the United Kingdom using cola to trick the COVID-19 test into a false positive gets us concerned...
Students have always been notorious for coming up with outrageous excuses for getting out of going to school. But recently, a TikTok trend of using cola to create a false positive when it comes to the virus has us thinking that they don't really understand the seriousness of this pandemic.
It can be so heartbreaking to see that children are so oblivious to the harsh realities of life. COVID-19 has been devastating for many people around the world. From losing incomes, to losing family members, friends, and co-workers. It has been nothing short of challenging for many, especially those who face death daily, our healthcare workers.
According to the BBC, when the cola or fruit juice is deposited onto a lateral flow test, a false positive is created. Lateral flow tests are simple devices intended to detect the presence of a target substance in a liquid sample without the need for specialised and costly equipment. So, basically, it can be used as a home testing method.
Since we do not use this method in South Africa, it can be safe to say that our kids won't be trying this TikTok trend out any time soon. But it's just as important to be informed and educated when it comes to these kind of trends. Also, when it comes to educating your kids about the seriousness of the pandemic and the responsible use of social media, it is all on our shoulders.
Read more: SA records over 20 000 new Covid-19 cases
We rely on the use of PCR tests in South Africa, so when an experiment was done with the lateral flow test, and false positives were created, a sense of relief came when it was found that the liquids (cola and fruit juice) showed negative results with the PCR tests.
As much as it was an innocent (fairly innocent) affair with coming up with excuses to stay home from school, this tactic is truly taking things to another level. Another level of distrust and overall inhumanity. People have lost their lives in the millions because of this virus and to try and trick your way out of school just for fun, and use this pandemic as an excuse, is not acceptable.
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