100 signatures reached
To: White House Coronavirus Task Force
Make widespread coronavirus testing available immediately
There are too few tests and testing facilities being made available to allow a per capita rate similar to other countries. Emergency funds should implement existing technologies, made available immediately via CDC, public health laboratories, and any other outlets which can be created. Even if the government makes testing free in theory, in practice it does no good unless there are enough tests to make a difference. And it should be now, not in six weeks as recent government contracts mandate.
Why is this important?
The United States has an opportunity to avoid or mitigate the overwhelming of hospitals as seen in Hubei, China, and Lombardy, Italy. Given the exponential rate at which the undetected virus spreads, investing in testing now, alongside other public health measures, will save lives, spare hospitals, and ultimately save funds.
A similar per capita rate to South Korea would suggest approximately 70,000 tests a day, nationwide, should be conducted in the USA. However, according to the CDC's website, as of March 12, the last complete data available (March 6) shows a mere 137 tests run by the CDC and 1162 by public health labs.
A similar per capita rate to South Korea would suggest approximately 70,000 tests a day, nationwide, should be conducted in the USA. However, according to the CDC's website, as of March 12, the last complete data available (March 6) shows a mere 137 tests run by the CDC and 1162 by public health labs.