A brief thread about hydroxychloroquine, from the perspective of a journalist.

And from the perspective of someone who knows someone fighting for their life with COVID.

1)

2) My parents' next-door neighbor is on a ventilator, fighting to survive. Came down with COVID more than a week ago.

His condition deteriorated quickly. Doctors decided to try a few things, including hydroxychloroquine.

3) I would love to report that hydroxychloroquine worked for him. It did not. "Didn't do a damn thing," according to my step-brother, a doctor. In fact, his condition worsened.

Today his family and friends are prepared for any outcome. That's where things stand.

4) So, what does this tell us about hydroxychloroquine and COVID-19? Nothing. It's an anecdote. It's not a study. It proves nothing at all.

Which leads me to my concern about the debate about this drug.

5) Libertarians have been calling for the "Right to Try" scenario for years. I first read about it in John Stossel's book a couple of decades ago. And I understand the impulse. It's heart-felt, even logical.

And yes, right now, doctors are desperate in the fight against COVID.

6) What we have with hydroxychloroquine is a pretty detailed record regarding how it does against other diseases. It's mixed, and it has some real limitations, and side effects. But I'm rooting for it to be a wonder drug against COVID. Wouldn't that be great?

7) The problem is putting too much stock in a wonder-drug, when the hard work entails much more than a magic pill. And we probably won't get a magic pill. Remdesivir has some promise, too! I'm glad these drugs are being studied.

8) The many doctors I've spoken to say they doubt there is a single cure-all for this disease, for various reasons. Side effects, other factors. Maybe some drugs will do better than others! That's great. But we can't let anecdotes, marred by other circumstances, guide our policy.

9) I think some members of the media are so (understandably) fed up with Trump's failures that they're ready to mock him for this drug. And really, I get it:

If this drug becomes a wonder drug against COVID, it's not because of Donald Trump. And he will claim credit.

10) The president spends way too much time on one drug. Let the scientists and doctors figure this out. Get to work on testing and resource distribution. My god, we continue to be an international embarrassment on those fronts.

11) But let's root for this drug, and others, to work, while being realistic. Let's keep our eyes where they belong: on prevention, and testing, and resources. And a plan.

So far, there are no magic cures. /end