So, you think you are a Novid?
By Alison Adduono, Director of Marketing Communications
In the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a stigma associated with testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. Individuals with Covid were looked upon as if they had leprosy or were a Typhoid Mary. People feared the unknown. Folks were apprehensive to sneeze or cough in public. If they did, an immediate oral declaration of “It’s not Covid” followed. But now, Covid has become commonplace. According to a report by The Covid-19 Consortium for Understanding the Public’s Policy Preferences Across States, more than half of American adults have reported being infected with Covid-19 at some point during the pandemic.
But there are some lone rangers out there that haven’t yet caught the SARS-CoV-2 virus – me being one of them. While I have been hit with a couple of very nasty colds over the last couple of years, I have been able to avert Covid it would seem --- does that make me a Novid, Super-Dodger, Never-Covid, or Covid-Virgin? --- who knows --- I hopefully have not jinxed myself typing this.
Scientists, such as those working with the international consortium Covid Human Genetic Effort, are looking towards these “resisters” as research subjects to develop better vaccines and treatments for all. What is it that makes them super-dodgers? Is it part of their genetic make-up, vaccination status, safety precautions (i.e., masking, physical distancing, etc.), ability to work from home, a special antibody, or some unique cell structure that has enabled them to fight off Covid with some “invisible force field”, or maybe just the way Wonder Woman battles bullets with her metal bracelets? Who knows? Perhaps a combination of these things. I guess we will see.
Photo Credit: iStock by Getty Images
Is it possible these Novids are mistaken?
Of course. There are some people who believe they didn't contract Covid who did. They either had no symptoms, had minor symptoms, or simply thought they had a cold or allergies and didn't even bother to test. With the many mutations we have seen and will continue to see with SARS-CoV-2, it is more likely to have less severe complications or be asymptomatic creating the misconception. In fact, it is estimated millions of Americans think they never had COVID, but in fact, they did… but never were tested.
Will they remain Novids?
Some Novids will not remain Covid free. Now that we have moved into a post-pandemic pattern of living again, many of the precautions that helped them avoid the virus have been dropped. SARS-CoV-2 is constantly mutating with each variant becoming more vaccine and immune resistant. The Novid population will undoubtedly start to decrease.
Going Forward?
Covid is going to remain a part of our lives much like flu. Taking precautions and, most importantly, TESTING when you have symptoms or have been exposed is the key to curb the spread. While antigen tests have their place, testing with a molecular test may provide a positive result an average of 2-3 days earlier.
Resources:
Are "Novids" special or just lucky at avoiding COVID-19? (yahoo.com)
How 'Never COVID' Novids Have Avoided COVID-19 (healthline.com)
From leprosy to COVID-19, how stigma makes it harder to fight epidemics | Science | AAAS
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The AscencioDx® Covid-19 Test and The AscencioDx® Molecular Detector have not been FDA cleared or approved, but have been authorized for emergency use by FDA under an EUA for use by authorized laboratories. This product has been authorized only for the detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens. The emergency use of this product is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the declaration is terminated or authorization is revoked sooner.
