We have coronavirus vaccines already. We already know it is safe enough to test in 30k people. Thousands are dying. So, after thinking lately, I agree w/ @StevenSalzberg1—people deserve early access if they choose. Continue Phase 3 trials, but allow for compassionate use. #covid19 https://twitter.com/stevensalzberg1/status/1289890177683316739
3) We still have a lot to learn about long term effects, but all signs currently point to it being mostly likely efficacious given it has demonstrated double immunity pathways for working. https://mobile.twitter.com/drericding/status/1283799377845395456 https://twitter.com/drericding/status/1283799377845395456
4) Here was the long earlier explainer thread on the two vaccine trial reports from the Oxford group and another Chinese group. Both were successful and had limited to no serious side effects. We kinda need them now. https://twitter.com/DrEricDing/status/1285210634032951299?s=20 https://twitter.com/drericding/status/1285210634032951299
5) While it breaks norms of waiting for Phases 1-3 trials, we are not in normal times with this terrible pandemic. Everyone that we can get immune means fewer others will be infected. And we make it abundantly clear it is very early, but let people volunteer just like for trials.
6) A leading oncologist agrees with the position. He deals with compassionate use cases of experimental drugs for cancer all the time. @VincentRK sees it valid in the risk benefit equation like @StevenSalzberg1 does. https://twitter.com/vincentrk/status/1289947702722048000?s=21 https://twitter.com/vincentrk/status/1289947702722048000
7) I personally prefer if everyone who wants it now, is offered to joins becomes part of an expanded community wide trial in hotspot states - and then followed up with monitoring. And hence if they ask for it, there is a 50/50 chance of receiving it versus placebo/control.
8) More people get access and we can slow the epidemic, especially in hotspot areas. Hotspot defined as any state or community exceeding the current “red” zone criteria of ‘1000 new cases per million people per week’, which covers about half of US states at the moment.
9) Because there is a well known absence of any major federal action. Normally I would demand public action but the politics of masks and lockdowns is just too damn ugly right now and a stalemate between the sides. Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t fight for masks, but it’s not overnight
10) Anyone who has followed me from early on knows I’ve been shouting for action, shouting for masks, for PPEs, for lockdowns, science, but the PH messaging is losing to politics sadly... and losing bad to extreme politicalization and anti-science groups.
11) In national leadership, we have extremely disorganized and ineffective federal action & poor leadership so far. So sad but I don’t see it changing until January. And that is too far. State governors in most hotspot sunbelt states also lackadaisical & not doing mask mandates.
12) Again this is not a national rollout but a very limited release and expansion of P3 to willing volunteers who understand the risks and have 50% chance of placebo—and only in the worst hotspot states. We thus still do it as a public modified trial of course but expanded access
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