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 ...
“So sue me,” Dr. Fauci explained.
WHY is it taking so darned long?
Why?
What the heck?
That’s right, Doc. Time to kicks some rears into gear.
The only food left on amazon pantry is doritos, potato chips, soda and ice cream bars.
At least I won’t have to deviate from my usual eating habits :)
Yeah, the testing kits were being distributed using New Orleans school buses, as is the NIH's usual practice.
Debbie Blabbermouth’s greasy disgusting lice-infested hair is a bigger public health threat than the corona virus!
At least I won’t have to deviate from my usual eating habits :)
Yeah. A Nutella on Christmas Cookies diet must be supplemented by food in order to sustain life.
lol
I made my way to the beer cooler. Everything was still in order, praise the Lord...
Creating a test for a new virus is not easy. Given that China was very little help when this all started set us back in getting an accurate kit out. I really wonder how much of the ability to create test kits exists in this country. Were we dependent on foreign sources (China) for kits? That would explain a lot.
lol
That’s plenty of calories to survive :)
At my weight, sustained food shortages of 18 months would get me back to my college weight
The WH should ditch the other 8-9 jokers that fill up the stage to give Academy Award type speeches and go with just the Doc here. Let him answer honestly and freely - admit screwups (like this test situation), point to progress and lend hope for the future.
Coming from the MSDNC! Enough said!! NothingButCrap!
So fire him already. I think the reason that supporters don’t blame Trump is that we know government employees are incompetent. He’s the only thing that works in government.....
Well, they tried to make it unnecessary complex (the 3 test
in 1 bit) which was an unforced error on our part. Any
plans we have that rely on the good-will or economic
cooperation with China were ill considered.
meanwhile, NYT tells it readers:
12 March: NYT: Tom Hanks Got Sick in Australia, Where Coronavirus Testing Isn’t Such a Hassle
In the United States, little if anything about the testing has been efficient or convenient. In Australia, it is free and widely available
By Damien Cave
SYDNEY, Australia — Here, testing is free and widely available, thanks to early and coordinated planning for a pandemic...
Some countries, like the United States, are looking increasingly ill prepared...
Although Canada has relatively few cases so far, its testing system is also well developed...
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/australia/tom-hanks-rita-wilson-coronavirus.html
in fact, it’s not easy to get tested in Australia, even if you have acute, flu-like symptoms:
11 Mar: ABC Australia: Coronavirus guidelines ‘confusing and frustrating’ for NSW doctors
By Liv Casben
Dr McMullen said information coming from the Federal Government and different state health authorities was “confusing, frustrating and challenging”...
Yesterday, the country’s chief medical officer Brendan Murphy addressed some of the confusion around testing.
“At the moment we are not recommending people with acute, cold, flu-like symptoms, unless they are a returned traveller, or unless they are a contact of a confirmed case, be tested,” he said...
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-11/coronavirus-panic-source-of-frustration-for-nsw-doctors/12043182
RE: Coming from the MSDNC! Enough said!! NothingButCrap!
Sorry, I believe this article as long as they don’t take his words out of context.
This is going to be an unpopular opinion here, but this issue was critical enough for Trump to get personally involved and ensure the tests were distributed. The fact that we’re still struggling to make that happen is not a good reflection on him or his administration. He needs to get this turned around, rapidly.
I’ve been a huge supporter of Pres Trump, but this is very disappointing.
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