Read on Twitter
Good morning! I'll be live-tweeting the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on @HHSGov's #COVID19 response starting in just a few minutes!
We'll hear from CDC Director Robert Redfield, HHS Assistant Secretary Brett Giroir and HHS Assistant Secretary Bob Kadlec.
We'll hear from CDC Director Robert Redfield, HHS Assistant Secretary Brett Giroir and HHS Assistant Secretary Bob Kadlec.
This hearing might get interesting. As some of you saw last week, HHS Spokesman Michael Caputo lost his goddamn mind and spent the better part of a day posting conspiracy theories about how "government doctors" were trying to kill Donald Trump. https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/15/michael-caputo-apology-hhs-staff-415206
Sen. Roy Blunt opens the hearing this morning by criticizing the Obama administration for its handling of the 2009 Swine Flu crisis and the 2014 Ebola crisis.
"Neither this administration nor the last one has prioritized research," Blunt says.
"Neither this administration nor the last one has prioritized research," Blunt says.
Sen. @PattyMurray is up for her opening statement and she's diving right into the Woodward tapes:
"[Donald Trump] was intentionally playing down this crisis, but I am not surprised. These recordings are not a revelation...he claimed [ #COVID19] was a "Democratic hoax."
"[Donald Trump] was intentionally playing down this crisis, but I am not surprised. These recordings are not a revelation...he claimed [ #COVID19] was a "Democratic hoax."
MURRAY: "When it came to wearing masks, [Trump] said not only that masks cause problems too, but that masks represent a culture of silence and slavery."
Honestly forgot about this one!
Honestly forgot about this one!
MURRAY: "The Trump administration needs to leave the science to the scientists immediately, full stop."
Unlike past #COVID19 hearings in the Senate, where Dems have somewhat avoided aggressive politicking to focus on the data, you can tell the mood has shifted since August.
Unlike past #COVID19 hearings in the Senate, where Dems have somewhat avoided aggressive politicking to focus on the data, you can tell the mood has shifted since August.
HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir urges Americans to wear face masks in his opening remarks.
That's in sharp contrast to President Trump, who congratulated a questioner at yesterday's ABC Town Hall when she paused to remove her mask.
That's in sharp contrast to President Trump, who congratulated a questioner at yesterday's ABC Town Hall when she paused to remove her mask.
GIROIR:
- 95 million swabs shipped to tribes and Native American/rural communities
- 2.3 million Abbott IDNow molecular tests to support outbreak control
- Established federal surge testing in 19 different high-risk Native American/rural sites.
- 95 million swabs shipped to tribes and Native American/rural communities
- 2.3 million Abbott IDNow molecular tests to support outbreak control
- Established federal surge testing in 19 different high-risk Native American/rural sites.
GIROIR tacitly admitting testing of schools is not where it needs to be. Instead, Giroir pledges that "we will begin shipping millions of tests per week to support our teachers and students" and keep schools open through the fall.
HHS Asst. Sec. for Preparedness Robert Kadlec is up now to address efforts to get ahead of #COVID19.
For what it's worth, Kadlec has been in his job for less than a month and folks I've spoken to on the Hill worry he's going to be swamped with playing catch-up.
For what it's worth, Kadlec has been in his job for less than a month and folks I've spoken to on the Hill worry he's going to be swamped with playing catch-up.
CDC Director REDFIELD warns the Senate about a "very difficult Fall" when #COVID19 and the flu come together for a second wave of hospitalizations.
While @RealDonaldTrump is declaring victory over Coronavirus, Dr. Redfield is worried hospitals might buckle under the case load.
While @RealDonaldTrump is declaring victory over Coronavirus, Dr. Redfield is worried hospitals might buckle under the case load.
REDFIELD also very concerned with the infection rates among rural and Native American populations.
Per CDC, Native American communities currently suffer #COVID19 infection rates nearly *4 times* that of white communities. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p0819-covid-19-impact-american-indian-alaska-native.html
Per CDC, Native American communities currently suffer #COVID19 infection rates nearly *4 times* that of white communities. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p0819-covid-19-impact-american-indian-alaska-native.html
We're going into 5 minute question and answer time now, which is where these hearings normally leap off the rails into complete madness.
BLUNT: "What should we expect in October...I've been told we could reach 100 million tests...is that a number you think is close to right?"
GIROIR: "We're looking at...125-135m tests available, but that doesn't mean 125-135m tests will be done...$5 test, 15 minute result."
GIROIR: "We're looking at...125-135m tests available, but that doesn't mean 125-135m tests will be done...$5 test, 15 minute result."
BLUNT and GIROIR are confident we can rapidly scale to performing 100 million #COVID19 tests as part of keeping schools safe from Coronavirus.
For reference, the US has only conducted about 96 million tests *since March*
For reference, the US has only conducted about 96 million tests *since March*
GIROIR praises the increase in testing results, claiming lab test results can be delivered in under two days, with point-of-care tests delivering results in about 15 minutes.
In Hawaii, a CARES-funded #COVID19 labs still hasn't conducted a single test. https://www.civilbeat.org/2020/09/cares-funded-lab-hitting-delays-in-delivering-coronavirus-tests/
In Hawaii, a CARES-funded #COVID19 labs still hasn't conducted a single test. https://www.civilbeat.org/2020/09/cares-funded-lab-hitting-delays-in-delivering-coronavirus-tests/
MURRAY: "Did you agree with the president's decision to downplay [ #COVID19]?"
REDFIELD: "I'm not going to comment on that."
REDFIELD: "I'm not going to comment on that."
Sen. MURRAY is the first one to bring up Michael Caputo's claim that there's a "resistance group" within the CDC undermining President Trump's #COVID19 agenda.
REDFIELD: "It saddened me when I read those comments. CDC is made up of dedicated, highly competent people."
REDFIELD: "It saddened me when I read those comments. CDC is made up of dedicated, highly competent people."
REDFIELD: "We're going to continue to give Congress and the nation the best public health advice. We're not gonna let political influence try to modulate that...the MMWR will not be compromised on my watch."
Except they *were* compromised: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/09/15/michael-caputo-cdc-reports-mmwr-interference/
Except they *were* compromised: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/09/15/michael-caputo-cdc-reports-mmwr-interference/
MURRAY: "Can you right now reject the unfounded, harmful conspiracy theory that career professional leadership of CDC has 'deep state' ulterior motives?"
GIROIR: "I have not seen anything out of CDC...any of the agencies I work with."
GIROIR: "I have not seen anything out of CDC...any of the agencies I work with."
It really is a statement of how completely Donald Trump's cult of personality has captured government that not even medical professionals like Dr. Redfield or Dr. Giroir will directly reject a conspiracy theory they know from direct experience to be false.
Sen. @LamarAlexander is up with questions now -- but he's giving more of a floor speech than anything else. No question marks at the end of any of these statements.
ALEXANDER seems confused about why so much of America's pandemic response was defunded - he's blaming irresponsible "budget cuts" for leaving us vulnerable.
Is anyone going to tell him it was the @GOP and @RealDonaldTrump who pushed those budget cuts for pandemic response?
Is anyone going to tell him it was the @GOP and @RealDonaldTrump who pushed those budget cuts for pandemic response?
ALEXANDER: "What can we do to prepare for the next pandemic, which could be next year?"
HHS KADLEC: "Manufacturing, domestic manufacturing for vaccines. We also basically need a capacity to manage those stockpiles effectively."
We're in bad shape, folks.
HHS KADLEC: "Manufacturing, domestic manufacturing for vaccines. We also basically need a capacity to manage those stockpiles effectively."
We're in bad shape, folks.
We're on to Dick Durbin, and he's raking @RealDonaldTrump's claim we'll have a vaccine in "two weeks." Asks Robert Kadlec if that's true or not.
KADLEC: "It's possible...whether that's 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 2 months or 4 months, once a trial is complete we'll have a vaccine."
KADLEC: "It's possible...whether that's 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 2 months or 4 months, once a trial is complete we'll have a vaccine."
DURBIN is pushing on this, pointing out that Kadlec is talking about the *manufacturing dates* of vaccines.
Kadlec clarifies that he's not talking about having an FDA-approved vaccine in two weeks, just having a physical vaccine that can be manufactured.
Kadlec clarifies that he's not talking about having an FDA-approved vaccine in two weeks, just having a physical vaccine that can be manufactured.
DURBIN: "Would ending testing end the spread of the #COVID19 disease?"
GIROIR: "No sir."
DURBIN: "Could you explain the president's explanation last night? Did it make sense to you?"
GIROIR: "I didn't see that."
GIROIR: "No sir."
DURBIN: "Could you explain the president's explanation last night? Did it make sense to you?"
GIROIR: "I didn't see that."
There's a level of self-imposed powerlessness here that is stunning to see from a career military man like Brett Giroir.
The way Giroir tells it, he's missed every press conference where @RealDonaldTrump has spread #COVID19 disinformation. Not even a faint criticism.
The way Giroir tells it, he's missed every press conference where @RealDonaldTrump has spread #COVID19 disinformation. Not even a faint criticism.
DURBIN asks all three panelists if @RealDonaldTrump's Obamacare replacement plan actually exists, if anyone has seen it.
GIROIR: Not in my scope
REDFIELD: I'm not aware of one
KADLEC: Not in my portfolio to know
GIROIR: Not in my scope
REDFIELD: I'm not aware of one
KADLEC: Not in my portfolio to know
GOP Senator John Kennedy just rolled out of bed to ask if any of the witnesses before the Senate today have done anything to alter medical information to please the Trump White House.
All three say no.
All three say no.
KENNEDY: "Is it fair to say the Coronavirus is a lot more contagious than we originally thought?"
REDFIELD: "Yes, sir."
KENNEDY: "And out of every 1,000 people who get the virus, 6 are going to die?"
REDFIELD: "It depends on age group and risk factors."
REDFIELD: "Yes, sir."
KENNEDY: "And out of every 1,000 people who get the virus, 6 are going to die?"
REDFIELD: "It depends on age group and risk factors."
Sen. KENNEDY is carrying the old Trump line that #COVID19 is no worse than the seasonal flu - even though @RealDonaldTrump himself has admitted *on tape* that claim was never true.
To folks like Kennedy, Coronavirus isn't killing enough people to be a major national concern.
To folks like Kennedy, Coronavirus isn't killing enough people to be a major national concern.
KENNEDY: "When do you think we'll have a vaccine ready to administer to the public?"
REDFIELD: Sometime between November and December in "very limited supply." "If you're asking me when it'll be available to the general American public, probably Q2 or Q3 2021."
REDFIELD: Sometime between November and December in "very limited supply." "If you're asking me when it'll be available to the general American public, probably Q2 or Q3 2021."
Sen. @jackreed2020 is asking about the importance of wearing face masks. He notes all three of the medical experts testifying today have strongly recommended using face masks.
REED: "Is the president providing appropriate leadership when it comes to" wearing masks?
REED: "Is the president providing appropriate leadership when it comes to" wearing masks?
GIROIR: "Wearing a mask is one of the most important things we can do to prevent spread," but says as a uniformed military officer he won't criticize @RealDonaldTrump.
KADLEC: "[Trump] is an individual who can exercise his rights as he pleases, we see many Americans doing that."
KADLEC: "[Trump] is an individual who can exercise his rights as he pleases, we see many Americans doing that."
REDFIELD: "I'm not going to comment about the president...but these face masks are the most powerful public health tool we have. I appeal to all Americans to embrace these face coverings."
CDC Director Redfield explicitly says he considers face masks to be a better safeguard against #COVID19 than even a potential vaccine.
"We have clear scientific evidence they work. This face mask is more guaranteed to protect me against COVID19 than when I take a COVID vaccine."
"We have clear scientific evidence they work. This face mask is more guaranteed to protect me against COVID19 than when I take a COVID vaccine."
REED: "Is there an integration of the states in terms of their public health services? Are resources available for states in this plan?
REDFIELD: "It's critical." Says CDC has done micro-planning with states to help with the rollout of new CDC #COVID19 guidance.
REDFIELD: "It's critical." Says CDC has done micro-planning with states to help with the rollout of new CDC #COVID19 guidance.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito reveals that she has been exposed to a person who was #COVID19 positive, within 48 hours of when that person exhibited Coronavirus symptoms.
CAPITO: "At what points in quarantine would someone need to get retested if necessary?"
REDFIELD: "If you've had close contact, it could take 7 days, 10 days, 12 days before you turn virus positive. That's why we recommend" isolating for two weeks in all cases.
REDFIELD: "If you've had close contact, it could take 7 days, 10 days, 12 days before you turn virus positive. That's why we recommend" isolating for two weeks in all cases.
REDFIELD pushing back on Trump's earlier claims that people don't need to quarantine for two weeks. Points out one of the risks of reducing quarantine to 10 days is that CDC sees "much higher rates" of spread if people leave quarantine early.
CAPITO asks a good question about the rise of overdose deaths and addiction during #COVID19 quarantine.
REDFIELD: "We've seen an increase of almost 18% in overdose/suspected overdose submissions into hospitals. Clearly the isolation has been associated."
REDFIELD: "We've seen an increase of almost 18% in overdose/suspected overdose submissions into hospitals. Clearly the isolation has been associated."
Here's @JeanneShaheen with a series of questions about why the CDC has been slow to provide infection control funding for nursing homes and senior citizens.
Shaheen notes only about 17% of the funds authorized in the CARES Act have actually been distributed to care homes.
Shaheen notes only about 17% of the funds authorized in the CARES Act have actually been distributed to care homes.
SHAHEEN: "When will the remaining infection control funds be distributed" to nursing homes?
HHS Assistant Secretary for Health GIROIR claims he doesn't have a direct answer to that very simple question.
HHS Assistant Secretary for Health GIROIR claims he doesn't have a direct answer to that very simple question.
Judging by the answers from this panel of medical experts, the @GOP has gone from the Party of Personal Responsibility to the Party of That's Someone Else's Job.
SHAHEEN hitting some serious notes on the lack of #COVID19 support nursing homes have seen. Points out that none of the funds in the CARES Act can be used to retain employees, only to hire new ones.
"The problem we have in New Hampshire is retaining nursing home staff!"
"The problem we have in New Hampshire is retaining nursing home staff!"
Mississippi's @cindyhydesmith is up now, and she's expanding on growing concerns that rural communities are being left behind in #COVID19 preparedness.
This is another crisis that shouldn't have been a crisis, but @GOP Senators gladly defunded pandemic preparedness programs.
This is another crisis that shouldn't have been a crisis, but @GOP Senators gladly defunded pandemic preparedness programs.
A lot of red state politicians have treated #COVID19 as a disease of the cities. They think rural communities are safe due to their lower population density. That's a deadly misconception, and CDC Director REDFIELD is saying as much now. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/08/30/coronavirus-millinocket-wedding-outbreak/
Can we have a sidebar conversation about how Dr. Kadlec looks like a slightly undercooked Justice Samuel Alito?
Senator @JeffMerkley is asking questions now, apparently from the center of an echo chamber.
MERKLEY asks about a CDC report that appeared to say testing asymptomatic people wasn't important.
REDFIELD: "We were *never* recommending not to test asymptomatics. We were *never* recommending not to do contact tracing. We placed an emphasis on testing symptomatics."
REDFIELD: "We were *never* recommending not to test asymptomatics. We were *never* recommending not to do contact tracing. We placed an emphasis on testing symptomatics."
MERKLEY: "You told governors to prepare for distribution of #COVID19 vaccine on November 1. Who in the administration asked you to choose that particulare date?"
REDFIELD: "No one, sir."
MERKLEY: "You just chose it on your own political motivation?"
REDFIELD: "No one, sir."
MERKLEY: "You just chose it on your own political motivation?"
REDFIELD (cont): "I was more concerned [about the date] than my subject matter experts were...the worst thing that could happen is we have vaccine ready that isn't able to distribute...there was no political motive" in choosing November 1.
Sen. @jameslankford is up now! First question is on resourcing to deliver a #COVID19 vaccine. "What do you still need" for effective production & distribution?
KADLEC: "We've funded 6 candidates for research and manufacture. I think right now" current funding levels are fine.
KADLEC: "We've funded 6 candidates for research and manufacture. I think right now" current funding levels are fine.
LANKFORD claims some research labs have used aborted fetal tissue to develop their #COVID19 vaccines, asks if there's a vaccine for pro-life Americans.
The three medical experts seem totally confused by Lankford's claim. REDFIELD claims there will be "multiple vaccine" options.
The three medical experts seem totally confused by Lankford's claim. REDFIELD claims there will be "multiple vaccine" options.
It's obvious Lankford is lining up the next @GOP line of attack against taking a future #COVID19 vaccine: refuse to take the vaccine because it could be made from aborted fetuses!
Here comes Sen. @brianschatz with an amazing question: Admiral Giroir once claimed we'd be running 1 million #COVID19 tests per day. In reality, we've declined from ~800K tests per day down to about ~600K tests.
GIROIR points out he was only talking about test *supply*.
GIROIR points out he was only talking about test *supply*.
. @brianschatz: "You say we should have 90 million tests completed by the end of September...but we're only at about 10 million tests."
GIROIR: "I stated we'd have 90 million tests *available* in September, not that we'd *do* 90 million tests."
So what's the point???
GIROIR: "I stated we'd have 90 million tests *available* in September, not that we'd *do* 90 million tests."
So what's the point???
SCHATZ is really hammering Giroir on pumping up impressive #COVID19 test supply numbers while completely failing to deploy them in a way that keeps communities safe.
"What does it mean that a test is 'theoretically available' but people can't get their hands on a test?"
"What does it mean that a test is 'theoretically available' but people can't get their hands on a test?"
This situation is personal for Schatz - there are "testing labs" built in Hawaii that have yet to administer a single test despite a lot of big talk from the Trump administration.
GIROIR takes issue with Schatz's claims, but the data doesn't support Giroir's optimism.
GIROIR takes issue with Schatz's claims, but the data doesn't support Giroir's optimism.
And now we're on to Sen. @tammybaldwin, who is digging in again on how CDC seems to not know where any of its emergency #COVID19 appropriations are going.
Baldwin notes that the Trump administration sent useless hydroxychloroquine to Wisconsin before it ever sent a ventilator.
Baldwin notes that the Trump administration sent useless hydroxychloroquine to Wisconsin before it ever sent a ventilator.
BALDWIN: "What percentage of funds appropriated for the [ #COVID19] stockpile have helped states secure equipment and PPE?"
KADLEC says he doesn't have specific numbers. "I'll have to get back to you on that." Kadlec has been in his job less than a month.
KADLEC says he doesn't have specific numbers. "I'll have to get back to you on that." Kadlec has been in his job less than a month.
BALDWIN: "How much funding have you spent on increasing domestic manufacturing capacity using the DPA authority available to you?"
KADLEC: "We've awarded $638 million for that purpose," out of over $2 billion in emergency #COVID19 appropriations given to CDC.
KADLEC: "We've awarded $638 million for that purpose," out of over $2 billion in emergency #COVID19 appropriations given to CDC.
BALDWIN asks Kadlec if the DPA has been used to limit the export of face mask filters essential to first responders.
KADLEC says he doesn't know.
KADLEC says he doesn't know.
Lindsey Graham is up now, and he's already running full defense for @RealDonaldTrump. There's no question yet, but Graham is on an extended monologue trashing Dr. Fauci for his #COVID19 statements from February.
GRAHAM: "If we found a vaccine at the end of October, how long would it take to distribute throughout the country?"
REDFIELD: "The funds we currently have aren't sufficient to...implement this [vaccine] plan."
GRAHAM: "But how long would it be?"
REDFIELD: "6 to 9 months."
REDFIELD: "The funds we currently have aren't sufficient to...implement this [vaccine] plan."
GRAHAM: "But how long would it be?"
REDFIELD: "6 to 9 months."
GRAHAM is already lowering expectations around Trump's claim that Americans will have a vaccine by Election Day. Graham ends by mocking Fauci as "one of the experts of our time," again saying Fauci didn't recommend quarantines.
BLUNT: "Most of the people who get the vaccine will have protection for some time in the future?"
REDFIELD: "I want to be clear: as soon as this vaccine gets approved, we want to be in the position to distribute it within 24 hours." But only for high-risk groups.
REDFIELD: "I want to be clear: as soon as this vaccine gets approved, we want to be in the position to distribute it within 24 hours." But only for high-risk groups.
TRUMP, MAY 15: "We’re looking for a full vaccine for everyone that wants to get it."
SEN. BLUNT, SEPT 16: "Just because it's available in November doesn't necessarily mean anyone who wants it is going to get it." https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-vaccine-development/
SEN. BLUNT, SEPT 16: "Just because it's available in November doesn't necessarily mean anyone who wants it is going to get it." https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-vaccine-development/
Here comes friend of the feed Sen. @ChrisMurphyCT with questions on the gap between Trump's claims and reality.
Murphy points out that there were 10K daily cases when Congress authorized the CARES Act. Now there are nearly 34K per day -- hardly a victory.
Murphy points out that there were 10K daily cases when Congress authorized the CARES Act. Now there are nearly 34K per day -- hardly a victory.
MURPHY is now reading back CDC's own guidance claiming it isn't necessary to be tested even if you come into contact with a #COVID19-positive person.
REDFIELD: "We said they may not *necessarily* need a test."
MURPHY: "What does that even mean?"
REDFIELD: "We said they may not *necessarily* need a test."
MURPHY: "What does that even mean?"
I don't like "Winners and Losers" posts because that's not how reality works, especially on something like #COVID19. But if there are two Senators who have used every second of their time masterfully so far, I'd pick @ChrisMurphyCT and @brianschatz
Now we're moving over to Kansan Senator @JerryMoran who is also asking about the conflicting messaging coming out of CDC on its equipment needs.
"What's the accounting on how many ventilators are in the strategic national stockpile?"
"What's the accounting on how many ventilators are in the strategic national stockpile?"
KADLEC: "We had 17,000 ventilators in our stockpile in January...it was figured we'd need about 170,000 ventilators when planning just for pandemic influenza. There's a concern we'd need even more than that." Says HHS worked with industry to order 200,000 more ventilators.
KADLEC (cont.): "We identified we could meet our pandemic requirements of 170,000 and make available to other countries an additional 20,000 ventilators."
Square that claim with America's hospital scene in March and April, when major cities fought to find a single ventilator.
Square that claim with America's hospital scene in March and April, when major cities fought to find a single ventilator.
In a hyperpartisan political environment, it's telling that both @GOP and Democratic Senators have come down hard on HHS for their failures to protect the safety of nursing home residents and rural/Native American populations.
Good. No one should forget that costly failure.
Good. No one should forget that costly failure.
MORAN: "I can't determine if there's any plan to be helpful" to senior living facilities. Says HHS is too focused on nursing homes and not the full spectrum of senior care facilities.
This is a @GOP Senator openly bashing @RealDonaldTrump's HHS for failing to act.
This is a @GOP Senator openly bashing @RealDonaldTrump's HHS for failing to act.
Chairman Blunt is piling onto Sen. Moran's salty exchange with Admiral Giroir.
BLUNT: "The appropriating committee appropriates based on your request...in ways we think appropriate. You can't just ignore that" and spend on whatever CDC thinks is best.
BLUNT: "The appropriating committee appropriates based on your request...in ways we think appropriate. You can't just ignore that" and spend on whatever CDC thinks is best.
BLUNT is now asking CDC Director Redfield about how he intends to distribute the #COVID19 vaccine in November, even though Redfield has repeatedly said large-scale distribution is out of the question until mid-2021.
Blunt cuts Redfield off to continue his questioning.
Blunt cuts Redfield off to continue his questioning.
REDFIELD: "We do not have the resources" to roll out a national #COVID19 vaccine. "We distribute 80 million doses of vaccine a year at CDC, but this is gonna take substantial resources. The time is *now* to get those resources to states. We don't have them."
CDC Director Redfield estimates it will take between $5-6 billion to effectively distribute a #COVID19 vaccine nationally. Says the CDC doesn't have that funding right now, and there's no current Senate plan to offer that money.
C-SPAN is panning the room for this Senate #COVID19 preparedness hearing and it appears Chairman Blunt may be the only Senator in the room right now. To be clear, others may still be tuning in digitally.
Sen. @PattyMurray is asking Redfield what efforts CDC is taking to make sure all public health information given to the public follows the science and the data.
Redfield says he "assumes" the White House will ask his experts for guidance, but he hasn't been asked yet.
Redfield says he "assumes" the White House will ask his experts for guidance, but he hasn't been asked yet.
MURRAY: "Do you feel it's your responsibility" to make sure the science and the medical advice given to the American people is accurate?
Admiral Giroir stumbles here, doesn't seem comfortable saying that's his job.
Admiral Giroir stumbles here, doesn't seem comfortable saying that's his job.
I've been live-tweeting these CDC #COVID19 congressional hearings since they began months ago, and it's mind boggling that the CDC and HHS still have only the haziest idea how their massive budgets are being spent.
It's been six months and CDC is still in the *planning phase*!
It's been six months and CDC is still in the *planning phase*!
Sen. @JerryMoran gets the last question, and it's a pitch encouraging the CDC and HHS to partner with Kansas laboratories as a means of increasing testing.
GIROIR again hypes up how big our #COVID19 test supply is - even as weekly testing rates are declining.
GIROIR again hypes up how big our #COVID19 test supply is - even as weekly testing rates are declining.
"The country is depending on all three of you to lead," BLUNT says of Drs. Redfield, Giroir and Kadlec.
That would mean more if all three witnesses hadn't just said they don't feel like it's their job to correct
@RealDonaldTrump's #COVID19 disinformation.
That would mean more if all three witnesses hadn't just said they don't feel like it's their job to correct
@RealDonaldTrump's #COVID19 disinformation.
. @LamarAlexander gets the final-final question, and it's to Dr. Redfield:
"When we had a problem with a virus called H1N1, didn't we have a treatment and the states weren't ready to receive it?"
Naturally, the @GOP ends a public health hearing with an attack on...Barack Obama.
"When we had a problem with a virus called H1N1, didn't we have a treatment and the states weren't ready to receive it?"
Naturally, the @GOP ends a public health hearing with an attack on...Barack Obama.
One thing I'll say, and it applies to both Democrats and Republicans at this hearing: you can tell who is actually interested in better understanding #COVID19 and our pandemic response, and who is just performing for tonight's Fox News highlight reel.
ALEXANDER ends by trying to push Redfield into saying there's "no transmissibility of COVID" at dentist offices due to their precautions.
Redfield declines to take that bait, says he "wouldn't describe it" like that.
Redfield declines to take that bait, says he "wouldn't describe it" like that.
REDFIELD: "These masks work. You notice when you go to the dentist, everyone is masked up...I keep coming back to the importance of wearing masks."
Chairman Blunt said "final question" about seven questions ago.
"We're going to have plenty of tests," @LamarAlexander says before quickly correcting himself. "We're going to have *the capacity* for plenty of tests."
Senate Republicans have so far today been incredibly careful not to promise you'll be able to get a #COVID19 test.
They say you'll *theoretically* be able to get one, because the supply is there, but they have no solution to the huge distribution problem CDC outlined.
They say you'll *theoretically* be able to get one, because the supply is there, but they have no solution to the huge distribution problem CDC outlined.
tl;dr the @GOP's "theoretical" COVID-19 testing availability is about as useful to you as a "theoretical" million bucks in your bank account.
Yes! Tammy Baldwin asked a whole series of questions about DPA deployment for mask filters to HHS Assistant Secretary Kadlec. Some of that conversation is up the thread a bit. https://twitter.com/emzorbit/status/1306274039380537344
It should concern every single American that we're six months into a massive #COVID19 crisis and CDC Director Redfield is still talking about "developing" and "planning" solutions.
At six months in, nearly every other industrialized nation is well into the deployment phase.
At six months in, nearly every other industrialized nation is well into the deployment phase.
"We're going to increase supply as much as possible," Admiral GIROIR says of #COVID19 testing. But again, Giroir dodges when asked about how the Trump administration plans to distribute that supply.
ALEXANDER: "How many tests will be going out to states in the coming weeks?"
GIROIR: "We anticipate, you know, depending on how things go with the nursing homes, somewhere between 5-8 million per week going to states."
Without a distribution plan, that's useless.
GIROIR: "We anticipate, you know, depending on how things go with the nursing homes, somewhere between 5-8 million per week going to states."
Without a distribution plan, that's useless.
Okay, after roughly 300 final questions the Senate Appropriations Committee #COVID19 hearing has concluded!
Thanks to everyone who shared and engaged with the thread. I'll be writing a column on today's events shortly, so stay tuned!
Thanks to everyone who shared and engaged with the thread. I'll be writing a column on today's events shortly, so stay tuned!
My column on today's COVID-19 hearing, and how Dr. Redfield put @RealDonaldTrump's #COVID19 failures on display for all to see: https://twitter.com/themaxburns/status/1306302892589150209
