THREAD: We can confront #coronavirus with science. We need a concerted effort now to develop diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics. What does this entail? 1. We must put significant money behind these efforts now. We have window of opportunity but we must seize this moment 1/n
2. Vaccines are possible but longer way off. We must crash development of drug therapeutics and antibodies that can be used for prophylaxis in those at greatest risk. This must be all of the above approach. It must be supported with a substantial supplemental from Congress. 2/n
3. We also need all of the above approach on diagnostics. This is a public health crisis even if we avoid epidemic here. The only way we’ll avert a bad outcome is to treat this like a crisis. We must put concerted effort behind lab tests, kits, and a point of care diagnostic 3/n
This is the moment for focused activity from regulators. Me must place multiple bets. The CDC diagnostic kit still has limited capacity, even if it works on the second try. We must place more bets on other diagnostic platforms to rapidly and dramatically broaden screening 4/n
4. Small changes in behavior can have big impact when spread over population. Treat this like very bad flu season. Wash your hands, avoid sick contacts, stay home when sick. We may need to start engaging in mitigation steps to limit social engagements. Prudent actions count. 5/n
A therapeutic is possible and can be a brake on this virus. The summer may limit its spread. An epidemic in U.S. is far from inevitable. We can confront and conquer this virus. We can limit its impact on American lives. But we need to face it aggressively now. The moment is now.
