A few thoughts to close out what I've found to be a pretty jarring day of COVID-19 news.
Why jarring? The growing disconnect between the narrative pushed by the White House and the reality we can see developing around us.
Why jarring? The growing disconnect between the narrative pushed by the White House and the reality we can see developing around us.
I've tweeted about it already but my mind keeps going back to these comments by Azar claiming the US leads the world in testing, and that there are only 100 cases in the country.
This has disturbed me more than anything else we've heard from the USG.
This has disturbed me more than anything else we've heard from the USG.
Here's what gets me:
They know this isn't accurate.
We know this isn't accurate.
They know that we know this isn't accurate.
And they're saying it anyway.
The men running our national response are basically gaslighting us.
They know this isn't accurate.
We know this isn't accurate.
They know that we know this isn't accurate.
And they're saying it anyway.
The men running our national response are basically gaslighting us.
And that's so extraordinarily dangerous. Accurate testing and case counts are essential because you can't fight what you can't see.
And transparency about case counts is essential because you can't fight what you *refuse* to see.
And transparency about case counts is essential because you can't fight what you *refuse* to see.
The response posture you'd adopt if you think cases are limited to 100 on the West Coast is very different than if you think (as we now must) that there are hundreds or more likely thousands of hidden cases spreading around the country.
And by continuing - even now!! - to minimize the risks, Azar and Pence are simply ensuring a slower and less effective federal response.
This is an unconscionable leadership vacuum as our country heads toward crisis.
This is an unconscionable leadership vacuum as our country heads toward crisis.
To beat back this disease, China locked down half their population and developed incredible/creepy AI contact surveillance tools.
Italy and Japan have closed all schools.
S. Korea has applied innovative nationwide testing.
etc. etc.
Italy and Japan have closed all schools.
S. Korea has applied innovative nationwide testing.
etc. etc.
We can debate whether some of this is overkill. But what's indisputable is that these countries have taken aggressive, proactive measures to mitigate domestic spread.
While our federal government still pretends the new cases abruptly found this week aren't the tip of an iceberg.
While our federal government still pretends the new cases abruptly found this week aren't the tip of an iceberg.
Look it's no secret that I served under Obama and disagree with this administration on most policy matters.
But on this outbreak, I (and all of us) *desperately* need them to succeed. And we *desperately* need to be able to trust them. And yet they are feeding us this garbage.
But on this outbreak, I (and all of us) *desperately* need them to succeed. And we *desperately* need to be able to trust them. And yet they are feeding us this garbage.
It leaves me profoundly depressed about what lies ahead. The conditions developing in Seattle suggest what's to come: significant social distancing measures; mass teleworking (for the fortunate few with this option); health systems strained to the brink. nytimes.com/2020/03/04/us/…
I hope our state and local elected leaders and public health officials can show more candor, vision and leadership than our federal political leaders. Because the latter now seem like a lost cause.
A last thought. A lot of y'all are dumping on CDC, and I get why. But I urge you not to conflate CDC with the White House. The men and women of CDC are some of the smartest and most impressive people I have ever had the privilege of working with.
I know they are working hard to keep you and your loved ones safe, and they are doing so in the face of tremendous headwinds from their political masters in DC.
And as @kakape reminds us, it's extra important we be kind to each other right now.
And as @kakape reminds us, it's extra important we be kind to each other right now.
That's it from me tonight. If you're up early tomorrow morning I'll be on @SquawkCNBC just after 6. I might be grumpy.
Wash your damn hands, everyone.
Wash your damn hands, everyone.
Follow up - here’s the clip. Hard to adapt and apply lessons from China and elsewhere on how to slow community spread when federal leaders continue to downplay whether that’s even a major risk. Need a clear countywide mitigation plan, NOW.
