[2aProtectsTheRest]

"The conclusion is that even the flu is guessed at every year and this past year the guesses went to COVID instead. Period. End of story."

The Influenza testing is specific to Influenza and certain flu tests provide the precise strain and lineage. The testing for SARS-CoV-2 is specific to SARS-CoV-2 and triggers on the precise genetic sequences that differentiate SARS-CoV-2 from all other viruses.

Influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 are as similar to one another as humans and snails. They aren't even in the same phylum. There is zero chance of any testing failing to distinguish between the two. CDC guidelines state that laboratory testing must always be performed before claiming something is COVID-19 whenever it's possible to do so.

Your claims do not make sense in light of the facts.

[CodeToad]

Those are not the only “facts” that contribute to the discussion. Those are limited and short-sighted things you chose to support your ridiculous conclusions.

[marktwain]

Influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 are as similar to one another as humans and snails. They aren't even in the same phylum. There is zero chance of any testing failing to distinguish between the two.

If your claim is correct, then how is it there have been so many documented cases of false positives for SARS-CoV-2?

(Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday it is alerting clinical laboratory staff and healthcare providers that false positive results can occur with COVID-19 antigen tests.

[fr_freak]

Influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 are as similar to one another as humans and snails. They aren't even in the same phylum. There is zero chance of any testing failing to distinguish between the two.

I gotthe impression that the other poster was referring to clinical diagnoses, rather than actual testing. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I would imagine that most flu cases, pre-COVID, were diagnosed clinically rather than involving any testing. If so, clinical diagnoses could have shifted to the assumption of COVID rather than the flu.