What local, state and federal resources are available for PCR or other testing of #nCoV2019, particularly during the asymptomatic stage? We should have guidelines and free testing for this. @CDCgov @CDCDirector @CDCemergency @CDC_Genomics @WHO @UnitedNationsGH @NIHDirector @NIH
@CDCgov @CDCDirector @CDCemergency @CDC_Genomics @WHO @UnitedNationsGH @NIHDirector @NIH @CDCDirector @SecAzar: Thank you for the steps you are taking in advising the President and suspending entry into the US of foreign nationals who pose a risk of transmitting #nCoV2019, and screening US citizens under mandatory quarantine who have recently traveled to China.
However, there are several blind spots that are not being discussed. The risk to the American public is high, not low, because of key points of interaction and limited resources for screening. You yourself mention that it is likely we will see more cases in the coming days.
In order to prevent these cases from transmitting, we need to allow Uber drivers, CEOs, government officials, and those interacting with people who have recently interfaced with people who have third-hand interfaced with people who recently traveled to China to get free testing.
By not allowing second and third hand contacts of hyper-networkers to get free testing, we are opening up an exponential propagation and not doing enough by blocking travel out of China at this stage. This is an opportune moment for the startup ecosystem to shine.
Additionally, we need to be thinking about Uber/Lyft drivers, bartenders, and the like.
@janiceschen @mammothbiosci P100 and N95 masks should be freely available in every city and implemented proactively for public transport, taxis, Ubers, Lyfts and the like.
@janiceschen @mammothbiosci Whether or not the virus becomes a US pandemic, we should be treating all steps of preparation — from prophylaxis to therapeutics — as if it were. This will allow the world to rapidly mobilize in the eventual case where a more lethal virus appears.
We should be looking at combined reactive and prophylactic vaccines as accelerated clinical trials for those whom are severely ill, and then using the prophylactic component of the vaccine on healthy populations after demonstrating safety and efficacy.
I would like to discuss a strategy for creating such a vaccine with the right organizations. @Ligandal has expertise in peptide-based gene delivery systems which is highly relevant for this particular application and will also prepare us for the future.
