The False Positives, False Negatives, and Positive Negatives of the Coronavirus

As the coronavirus began to creep into our lives--but before it came to define them entirely--e-mails from across the world included the cheery phrase "Crazy times!" Messages from friends here in Los Angeles tended to favor something locally sourced, courtesy of Jim Morrison and the Doors: "Strange Days." Strange days, indeed, as we waited for the result of my wife's test, hoping that it would be positive. Can you think of any other illness for which a positive result might be eagerly anticipated? Unable to do anything but lie in bed, she experienced symptoms that were severe by any usual standard but most welcome by the newly enhanced metrics of affliction ushered in by the virus.