[frank2]

>is it suggested to just deploy [variolation] without testing?

Yes: the blog post by economist Robin Hanson suggested deploying it without waiting for the results of testing. (Of course, it would be good to test as fast and as much as possible concurrent with the deployment.)

"deploying it": making available to the public a variolation service or procedure designed by medical experts.

[vikramkr]

If we're lowering the standard, why only lower it for inoculation? We can just start deploying the dozen+ vaccines we have in development too if we decide testing isn't important.

[ggreer]

I'm pretty sure Robin Hanson would want challenge trials with experimental vaccines as well. The issue is that authorities won't allow such trials, not that there is a lack of willing medical experts or volunteers.

Though vaccine trials aren't quite as safe for the public as variolation. If a vaccine doesn't work, the person can spread the disease. If variolation doesn't work, then it has the same mortality as natural infection, but afterwards the person is immune and can't spread the disease.