COVID-19 || Testing and Study

You have a chance to help others.  We have just announced the start of a clinical study to test for COVID-19 antibodies in our community. Please CLICK HERE for the press release. The clinical study is part of a collaboration with Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to help further the fight against COVID-19. We are asking for volunteers to help with the research. Initially we are looking for 400 volunteers, although that could be increased in the future.
 
Teamwork – that is what makes things happen. There are too many people to mention that have helped initiate this exciting academic study - and we are just getting started! Through community relationships, experts in the field and highly respected academic institutions, we have managed to put together a team of leading epidemiologists. However, it all starts at home. Fire Chief Bill McLaughlin and Blaine County Emergency Medical Director Terry O’Conner are spearheading this initiative. Further afield, we are delighted to be partnering with two outstanding academic institutions – I am thankful for the local connections that made this possible.
 
Hope through research, doing our part. We don’t know how the research will go and we don’t know who will be selected for testing. What we do know is that our little valley is trying to do its part to address this global issue. The research will be useful to scientists in determining if antibody presence confers immunity; at this time we just don’t know. Our community is making a difference.  
 
This trial is not a panacea. Antibody testing will tell us how many people have been infected and recovered. Antibody testing in Blaine County will help us understand where we are in the recovery process. Eventually this will help our community by telling us when it is safe to resume more normal activity. Please understand that this is not going to happen overnight, regardless of whether you test positive for antibodies or not. Furthermore, please understand that this is an academic study and not a cure.
 
What you need to know. People who wish to participate in the study should submit their name and some basic demographic data online. The first group of 400 participants will be randomly chosen to be tested. Each participant chosen for the study will be asked to complete a more detailed survey online. That survey may ask related questions regarding whether or not you got sick and how severe it was. It will also ask whether you are on certain medications. CLICK HERE for online volunteer registration.
 
Small Town, Big Tests.
 

Cheers,
Neil