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I know I tweet too much about testing but here I go again
Sorry. Testing is critical and our testing czar says testing is great. Everyone who needs one can get it
We know that's not right. But how's it actually going?
Well, the data says its actually getting worse. Yup
Thread
Sorry. Testing is critical and our testing czar says testing is great. Everyone who needs one can get it
We know that's not right. But how's it actually going?
Well, the data says its actually getting worse. Yup
Thread
Overall, testing down from about 820K a week ago to 760K today.
Not too bad, right? And of course, there's FL where the hurricane shut down testing centers.
But actually, its a problem. And widespread one
In 24 states (half the nation), testing lower now than 2 weeks ago
2/4
Not too bad, right? And of course, there's FL where the hurricane shut down testing centers.
But actually, its a problem. And widespread one
In 24 states (half the nation), testing lower now than 2 weeks ago
2/4
But falling tests can be OK if states have high testing rates, few cases, low positivity rate.
But testing is falling in some of the hardest hit states
And the test positivity rate?
In 24 states where testing is down,
test positivity rate is 12.6%
This is abysmal
3/4
But testing is falling in some of the hardest hit states
And the test positivity rate?
In 24 states where testing is down,
test positivity rate is 12.6%
This is abysmal
3/4
So these states need to be doing a lot more than they are
They are likely missing 70-80% of cases
They are not over-testing -- they are under-testing
Yet their test numbers are declining
Why?
Long wait times and long turn around times means people are just giving up
4/5
They are likely missing 70-80% of cases
They are not over-testing -- they are under-testing
Yet their test numbers are declining
Why?
Long wait times and long turn around times means people are just giving up
4/5
So here's the good news
7 states have given up on the much awaited but not coming national testing strategy
They have formed their own compact with help from @RockefellerFdn
Its bipartisan and will rely on antigen testing
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-04/governors-form-bipartisan-pact-to-buy-millions-of-virus-tests
5/6
7 states have given up on the much awaited but not coming national testing strategy
They have formed their own compact with help from @RockefellerFdn
Its bipartisan and will rely on antigen testing
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-04/governors-form-bipartisan-pact-to-buy-millions-of-virus-tests
5/6
I think this is great. A huge step forward
Antigen tests used repeatedly can make a big difference
I wrote as much @TIME
https://time.com/5873444/radically-rethink-covid-19-testing-approach/
So states coming together is big step forward. Congress should fund it
Its time to stop relying on the Administration
Fin
Antigen tests used repeatedly can make a big difference
I wrote as much @TIME
https://time.com/5873444/radically-rethink-covid-19-testing-approach/
So states coming together is big step forward. Congress should fund it
Its time to stop relying on the Administration
Fin
