@MayorKirkHNL received this letter this morning from @HIgov_Health Director Bruce Anderson about his decision to purchase $2 million of tests from Everlywell, a private medical testing company. But there have been some challenges to Anderson's claims.

Here's @everly_well 's response.

The FDA is allowing tests that are not yet approved through an emergency use authorization, but is also letting companies that have applied for an EUA and validated their own tests to also be distributed.

The city's Department of Enterprise Services Director Guy Kaulukukui said today during Mayor Caldwell's press conference that he thinks that there needs to be clearer guidance from the Department of Health as to what tests are allowed and why.

Kaulukukui said that state epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park expressed her concern against the tests the city planned on buying, but that @HIgov_Health said that Director Anderson did not have time in his schedule to meet with him and @MayorKirkHNL about the use of these tests.

Yesterday during a senate hearing, Anderson said he doesn't think that DOH has the legal power to stop private doctors from using tests. If they are being allowed to be distributed by the FDA and that he would be checking with the attorney general to see what could be done.

Honolulu has not yet purchased the tests from Everlywell and is hoping that it can have better communication with the Department of Health before moving forward, but that more testing needs to be done.

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