Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #70

[Tippy Lynn]

Trump administration defends defunding COVID testing in Texas, four other states

The Trump administration said on Wednesday that it would no longer directly fund 13 of its original coronavirus testing sites in five states, saying states were allocated money for testing by the federal government last month.

The federal government fully funds a newer testing program with 600 sites in pharmacies and other health care settings and also pays the test costs of a third program run with CVS Health Corp at 1,000 locations, he said.

Trump administration defends defunding COVID testing in Texas, four other states

This is excellent news. One of many things going in the right direction.

 

[dmac55]

If you have a link to billions from the feds in the last 4 weeks, that is great, because I hadn't seen that. We need more, as you know.

Top Democrats say Trump sitting on $14 billion for coronavirus testing, contact tracing

I don't know whether the $14 billion has been released yet (I looked), but I do know that I heard these quotes myself, on video:

"Testing is a double-edged sword," said Trump, who added that the U.S. has conducted 25 million tests. "When you do testing to that extent, you’re going to find more people, you’re going to find more cases, so I said to my people, 'Slow the testing down, please.'"

Trump officials defended the president Sunday, including top White House trade adviser Peter Navarro who said on CNN's "State of the Union" that Trump's remark "was tongue-in-cheek."

During an interview with Scripps on Monday, Trump was pressed on whether there was any truth to his Saturday remark.

"If it did slow down, frankly I think we’re way ahead of ourselves if you want to know the truth," he said. "We’ve done too good a job. Because every time we go up, with 25 million tests you’re gonna find more people. So then they say, 'oh, we have more cases in the United States.' The reason we have more cases because we do more testing than any other country by far."

As far as negativity (not specific to your post at all, just the general conversation): It is important for politicians to understand that we can hear them when they speak to us. What they say matters, especially in a crisis. There is a reason for the negativity and lack of trust. I am sure people who think it's being handled perfectly have their reasons, too. We are better off listening to each other instead of just chalking it up to irrationality. People have reasons for their feelings, both optimistic and pessimistic, about how this crisis is being handled.

Re: President Trump's insistence that we have more COVID-19 cases because we have so much testing
(Paraphrasing)

No.
If 20 people are pregnant and you test 10, there are still 20 people pregnant

 

[margarita25]

That's interesting.

71% of those infected with the virus attended a family gathering

3% attended a religious service

3% attended a protest

Yes family gatherings seem to be playing a very big role.

It’s so sad, being unable to gather with your own family, way worse than having to avoid a bar, etc.

“"We're seeing a lot of transmission between family members," she said. "Don't invite others into your home to get this illness."“

85 infants in one Texas county test positive for coronavirus

There was another recent article which talked more about this, I can’t find it right now but will keep looking because it had a really good quote about this.

 

[musicaljoke]

Seven testing sites is a drop in the bucket. The question is do you actually believe the critics?
Texas testing sites

ArcGIS Web Application

Yes, I believe the critics. The evidence speaks for itself. This is not the time to reduce CoVid testing. Perhaps once the numbers are down to where there is no community spread, then it would be prudent to look at closing down some testing centres. Right now, establishing more testing centres, rather than fewer would be the logical decision.

 

[Tippy Lynn]

Yes, I believe the critics. The evidence speaks for itself. This is not the time to reduce CoVid testing. Perhaps once the numbers are down to where there is no community spread, then it would be prudent to look at closing down some testing centres. Right now, establishing more testing centres, rather than fewer would be the logical decision.

As stated above in a post from @RANCH.

The Trump administration said on Wednesday that it would no longer directly fund 13 of its original coronavirus testing sites in five states, saying states were allocated money for testing by the federal government last month.

The federal government fully funds a newer testing program with 600 sites in pharmacies and other health care settings and also pays the test costs of a third program run with CVS Health Corp at 1,000 locations

 

[justbeachy]

That seemed to be the consensus from experts on the Sunday morning news shows and news reports yesterday. It's shifting. The large, unsafe gatherings when states "opened up" businesses sparked the increase. From there, people go home and infect family members. Everyone has a small bbq for July 4th or something similar and the younger family/friends spread it to the older folks. My kids are in the 19-40 range and I'm glad they chose not to go to bars or restaurants when they re-opened.

A friend was telling me this week that, in her area, its spreading among older kids and teens who are still participating in sports like football, soccer, etc. I was surprised these school and city teams were allowing practices. Maybe these sports fans just hold practices on their own. Anyone heard of, like, high school football teams starting summer practices?

There are youth leagues in my area practicing as well as participating in tournaments. I've seen them practicing in fields around town and I've seen photos on my personal FB feed from friends at various practices and weekend tournaments. Out of curiosity I checked one of my local HS's websites and they have their summer schedules for football, cross country, and cheer so unless that's not accurate they are currently training.

As a side note, a friend's daughter just graduated high school so they did an open house in their home for people to just come and go as they pleased. I didn't go. The pictures were lovely and they had quite a spread of food on the buffet table for everyone to share.

IMO
(edited for poor grammar)

 

[Reasonable & Just]

As stated above in a post from @RANCH.

The Trump administration said on Wednesday that it would no longer directly fund 13 of its original coronavirus testing sites in five states, saying states were allocated money for testing by the federal government last month.

The federal government fully funds a newer testing program with 600 sites in pharmacies and other health care settings and also pays the test costs of a third program run with CVS Health Corp at 1,000 locations

You are right - it's not unreasonable to shift these resources if its more effective to do so. I don't know if it is or isn't more effective yet. What is concerning, is the statement that they want to to slow down testing, coupled with contention with the GOP over new funding, and just the fact that we are behind on testing, allowing the virus to spread as people wait for tests.

 

[Tippy Lynn]

You are right - it's not unreasonable to shift these resources if its more effective to do so. I don't know if it is or isn't more effective. What is concerning, is the statement that they want to to slow down testing, coupled with contention with the GOP over new funding, and just the fact that we are behind on testing, allowing the virus to spread as people wait for tests.

I haven’t seen a slow down in testing. More testing sites should mean more testing.

 

[Sundog]

Yard work can burn off excess pounds put on during coronavirus lockdowns, new study suggests

 

[Deleted member 39678]

Yard work can burn off excess pounds put on during coronavirus lockdowns, new study suggests

Nice. I just came inside from doing yard work.

 

[Reasonable & Just]

I haven’t seen a slow down in testing. More testing sites should mean more testing.

Yet, we are not in a good place with testing, with backlogs and difficulties getting in for tests. So I do not understand this stance, and I want to understand it. White House seeks to block funds for coronavirus testing and tracing in relief bill Now to be fair - it is early days on this bill, and with any luck, the WH will change their minds and support more testing and contact tracing further.

In conjunction with that stated desire to slow down, I can understand why people are so worried, even if others do not agree. They have their reasons - those reasons are the words and actions of the people in charge.

 

[tresir2012]

That was for hospitals and health care.

That would include tests though wouldn't it, especially for those going to emergency? Other funding has been given for sites within stores and pharmacies. One poster yesterday mentioned a pop up test site in a store she was thinking of going back to today. It's better that queuing all night in a vehicle and dying while you are waiting for it.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

Yes family gatherings seem to be playing a very big role.

It’s so sad, being unable to gather with your own family, way worse than having to avoid a bar, etc.

“"We're seeing a lot of transmission between family members," she said. "Don't invite others into your home to get this illness."“

85 infants in one Texas county test positive for coronavirus

There was another recent article which talked more about this, I can’t find it right now but will keep looking because it had a really good quote about this.

It's so easy to let our guard down with family.

 

[tresir2012]

Yet, we are not in a good place with testing, with backlogs and difficulties getting in for tests. So I do not understand this stance, and I want to understand it. White House seeks to block funds for coronavirus testing and tracing in relief bill Now to be fair - it is early days on this bill, and with any luck, the WH will change their minds and support more testing and contact tracing further.

In conjunction with that stated desire to slow down, I can understand why people are so worried, even if others do not agree. They have their reasons - those reasons are the words and actions of the people in charge.

I think they are funding it directly through the hospitals and store sites because of the upsurge in the hot states. The VP and the Task Force only just came back from visiting those badly affected states AFAICS.

 

[margarita25]

BBM:

As stated above in a post from @RANCH.

The Trump administration said on Wednesday that it would no longer directly fund 13 of its original coronavirus testing sites in five states, saying states were allocated money for testing by the federal government last month.

The federal government fully funds a newer testing program with 600 sites in pharmacies and other health care settings and also pays the test costs of a third program run with CVS Health Corp at 1,000 locations

So, does this mean we will now see an end to these long long lines and long turnaround times? Have these critical issues been resolved now? I hope so.

 

[squareandrabbet]

I haven’t seen a slow down in testing. More testing sites should mean more testing.

I thought some cities with peaceful protests turned riots lost some testing sites as a result of it... here it is:

70 coronavirus test sites were destroyed during the George Floyd protests, according to the US government. Officials worry it could lead to a spike of infections.

For those who have WaPo access and prefer it as a source, there appears to be another quote about the testing centers here, though I cannot access it:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/heal...d9fa54-a4e6-11ea-b473-04905b1af82b_story.html

 

[tresir2012]

I remember that post, and I'm sorry - no need to bother if it's just for me because I can find it. I'll look at it again, thanks!

Just click the back arrows - I added a link on my post.

 

[Reasonable & Just]

I thought some cities with peaceful protests turned riots lost some testing sites as a result of it... here it is:

70 coronavirus test sites were destroyed during the George Floyd protests, according to the US government. Officials worry it could lead to a spike of infections.

For those who have WaPo access and prefer it as a source, there appears to be another quote about the testing centers here, though I cannot access it:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/heal...d9fa54-a4e6-11ea-b473-04905b1af82b_story.html

Oh man, time to replace those, then. Irresponsible not to. We all care about our fellow Americans, and we need to make sure that all are cared for with their tax dollars, even when some misbehave gravely.

 

[margarita25]

It's so easy to let our guard down with family.

This is one of the worst things that could have ever happened to mankind, imo, not being able to gather with your own family.

There are so many things about this evil virus, sickening people severely, killing them, crushing our ability to make a living, affecting our children’s education, dividing our people.

There are not enough words for how terrible this virus is.

 

[Tippy Lynn]

BBM:


So, does this mean we will now see an end to these long long lines and long turnaround times? Have these critical issues been resolved now? I hope so.

I hope so as well.