Posted on 03/12/2020 4:34:01 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
America has failed to meet the capacity for coronavirus testing that it needs, a top public health official publicly acknowledged Thursday.
"The system is not really geared to what we need right now," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in a House hearing about coronavirus test kits in the United States, which were initially dogged by technical glitches. "That is a failing. Let's admit it."
Fauci was responding to a question from Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida, who asked about a claim by trade organization National Nurses United alleging that "countless" health care workers exposed to the coronavirus have been refused a test for it.
When the virus first started appearing in America, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had narrow criteria for who could be tested for it, further limiting the number of tests performed on top of the technical problems. Those guidelines have since been expanded. Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the CDC, who was also testifying in the hearing, directed Wasserman Schultz's question to Fauci.
"The idea of anybody getting it easily the way people in other countries are doing it, we're not set up for that," Fauci told Wasserman Schultz. "Do I think we should be? Yes. But we're not."
The blunt acknowledgment came as the CDC reported it had tested just over 11,000 specimens for the virus so far, far fewer than other nations, especially given that multiple specimens are needed for each patient. Meanwhile, South Korea is testing nearly 20,000 patients per day, according to the BBC.
In response to Fauci, Wasserman Schultz said: "That's really disturbing, and I appreciate the information."
The question came a week after a nurse exposed to the virus in northern California said in a statement through National Nurses United
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
Do you think this promise was one he fabricated or misunderstood from one of his advisors? I think he’s just the messanger. He could have screwed that job up, no doubt, he’s done so before. But I think I heard other making the same sort of predictiona nd claim about millions of tests being available in a couple days. ”
I think that’s very likely correct, and in the vast majority of situations I’d find it understandable. He’s in a big job and can’t be in the details. But in this case...my feeling is he should’ve been enough into the detail to know if his subordinates were giving him good info or not. The availability of these tests will make or break our response, I think it’s the single most important aspect of this situation right now.
Given the way the narrative has been framed, I agree.
Maybe Trump learned his lesson, and get a fall guy to make the promises for him.
I just assume the government is incompetent, and everything it touches it will make worse.
correct
I thought debbie resigned from congress.
“All the nonsense about this being a flu was intentional to damage DJT. Well done KooKs.”
1. Trump gets his advice from the top researchers and physicians in the country. He does not get it from kooks.
2. Could you explain how the severity of the disease is connected to Donald Trump in any way whatsoever. Looks like you are being brainwashed by the MSM.
I think Dr. Fauci is an exhibitionist who likes attention.
Just my opinion.
He is one person who inspires no confidence in me.
As long as you have the 4 Major Food Groups — Fat, Grease, Salt, Sugar — you’ll be OK.
I was going to answer, but you already nailed it.
CDC has only done 77 test since March 5th.. This is incompetence at the highest level.
The confusion in that article was on how and when to refer patients for Covid-19 testing. It is not hard to get patients tested in that there are kits. We are doing a much worse job of making testing kits available.
If you don’t have test kits in the desired numbers then you can’t test for the virus. Singapore and South Korea had the numbers so they tested.
We are 10 days behind Italy in spread rate, and further behind others touted for testing. We sent test kits to some of those countries and they have not been replaced. I suspect many are sourced from China at this point... not a good idea.
lol
you just described 85 percent off my body’s makeup :)
Testing kits? Whining about this crap? How many kits caught the flu that has already killed 10,000 Americans this year so far?
Oh yeah, NONE!
Calm the F down crybaby.
Where do yuou live? Liberal land?
I was in two grocery stores today. No shortage of anything.
Yes.
Mega lies. “Gift sick”? Prove it. He “supposedly” just tested positive. That’s not sickness.
Publicity stunt. Otherwise who the hell cares?
I went to a Walmart Superstore today that’s about a half-hour from where I live. On every aisle, workers were stocking the shelves, and I found everything I needed (all food). I was amazed to see so many people stocking the shelves, because at my local Walmart Superstore, the shelves have been empty for the past two+ years.
Screw “tests”.
Get real.
RE: CDC has only done 77 test since March 5th.. This is incompetence at the highest level.
Hang on for a moment... how is it the responsibility to TEST people?
They’re supposed to be DISTRIBUTING their test kits and the STATES are responsible for testing their residents.
Centralized testing in DC should not be the intent.
There’s something wrong with that report.
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