Thread by @DonnaYoungDC

.@SecAzar on all the morning network shows making the same false claim that "We have & always have had the capacity to test anybody who's suspected of novel coronavirus."

And @GStephanopoulos doesn't challenge him on that.

#COVID19 #coronavirus

https://twitter.com/GMA/status/1237702754652631041

'It's Just Everywhere Already': How Delays in Testing Set Back the U.S. Coronavirus Response
nytimes.com/2020/03/10/us/… #coronavirus #COVID19 @nytimes
How the Biogen leadership conference in Boston spread the coronavirus bostonglobe.com/2020/03/11/nat… @BostonGlobe

#COVID19 #coronavirus

Today, a number of #COVID19 hearings on Capitol Hill, including @OversightDems w/ #NIH/ #NIAID Fauci, @CDCDirector @PHEgov Kadlec @DeptofDefense Rauch & @USGAO Currie oversight.house.gov/legislation/he…
#coronavirus #CDC

.@SteveFDA will testify before the @AppropsDems Ag/#FDA Subcommittee on #TrumpBudget, but most likely, #COVID19 will dominate. appropriations.house.gov/events/hearing… #pharma #biotech #drugshortages

.@RepMaloney starts @OversightDems says opening statements will be cut short since Trump has called an "emergency" meeting of today's witnesses, so witnesses have to leave at 11:45amET. 🤔

#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@RepMaloney: This is the United States of America. We're supposed to be leading the world. Instead, we are trailing far behind.
We must do better. Delays systemic.
#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@RepMaloney: We have no idea how many people are infected.
We are operating in the dark.
Question: Whether Trump & admin exasperating the crisis by downplaying it. Over & over misstatements.

#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@RepMaloney says @Larry_Kudlow could "have not been more wrong."
Stock market worst weeks in history w/ single biggest point drop in all history.
We need the facts. We need accurate information.
She notes Trump's "happy talk."
#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@Jim_Jordan starts off saying "Risk remains low" & urging Americans to follow good hygiene & take steps to prevent spread.

#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@Jim_Jordan praises Trump/Pence & #pharma.

#COVID19 #coronavirus

#NIH Fauci: There's a lot of confusion about developing a vaccine. In next 4 weeks go phase 1 to determine if 1candidates — at least 10 candidates — but NIH is $MRNA mRNA getting into phase 1 quickest, but process developing a vaccine is not one that is that quick.
#COVID19

#NIH Fauci: After phase 1, 4 months down the pike to phase 2 to determine if it works.
Phase to determine if works is critical. That will take 8 months.
Will not have a vaccine 1yr – 1.5 yrs. Anyone doing faster is cutting corners.

#COVID19 #coronavirus

#NIH Fauci: Therapy timeline different. Giving candidate to someone already ill/risks determine & if & when it works quicker than vax. Couple candidates in trials. If we do get positive signal, we may — underline may — have therapy could use. But needs proven first.
#COVID19

.@CDCDirector just reported more than 990 #COVID19 cases, even though other #coronavirus trackers show it exceeded 1000 last night.
"It's with great sadness report 31 deaths in United States."
nytimes.com/interactive/20…
gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashbo…
#CDC

Noting again, @SteveFDA is due to testify at @AppropsDems Subcommittee this morning at 11am. So if Trump calling @OversightDems witnesses to White House, that's likely #FDA chief, too, & his testimony will be cut short, too?
appropriations.house.gov/events/hearing…
#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@DeptofDefense Rauch: There is no vaccine to protect the force. There is no antiviral to treat the force. Therefore, the department is working on several vaccine initiatives & an antiviral treatment to protect & treat the force.
#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@USGAO Currie: For decades, we have been concerned about U.S. preparedness for these types of events. Unlike cyber events or natural disasters, they are rare, which makes it incredibly difficult to maintain focus & avoid complacency setting in once an outbreak ends.
#COVID19

.@USGAO Currie: Biodefense fragmented in fed gov.
Over two dozen fed appointed w/ roles in biodefense. So fed coordination is extremely difficult, let alone state, local & private.

#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@RepMaloney: Is the worse yet to come
#NIH Fauci: Yes it is.
Things will get worse than now. How much worse depends on contain influx from outside & ability contain/mitigate in our own country.
Bottom line: It's going to get worse.

#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@CDCDirector: #CDC's role in this we very rapidly developed a test.
We wanted to get eyes on at CDC.
We rapidly tried to expand/scale. During process, one reagent not working appropriately/modify that.
Test always available in Atlanta. 🙄
#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@CDCDirector: Quest/Lab Corps now offering test in doctor offices.
But need to see a health professional to get that test.
NY asked if use EUA to get approved. FDA approved in one day.
Other side, there's private sector [he's ignoring #CDC's control Dx early on]
#COVID19

.@RepMarkGreen spending his time defending Trump's handling of #COVID19 outbreak.

#coronavirus

.@RepStephenLynch: Every single member of this committee - Dems & GOP - voted for $8.3B.
America is best when have unity of purpose.
Notes Trump's statements contrary to what #NIH #CDC officials have said.
Trump's "beautiful tests" is not a medical term.
#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@RepStephenLynch blasting federal officials for standing by as Trump has made misleading remarks.
"The president has made some bizarre statements here."
"We need you to step up."
He notes #NIH Fauci did push back some on vaccine.

#COVID19 #coronavirus #CDC

.@RepStephenLynch urges officials to be "more forthright when the president makes statements like this. We need leadership. We need people to be aware of the dangers out there.
Blasts @Larry_Kudlow. Says officials need to step up & say what Kudlow said "not true."
#COVID19

#NIH Fauci: "I have never, ever held back telling exactly what is going on."

#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@virginiafoxx also comes to Trump's defense & says "direct criticism" of him is "totally unwarranted."
She says helpful to explain the facts but urges "not scare everybody about this problem but ask them to be sensible about what they're doing."

#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@PHEgov Kadlec: @BARDA is extraordinary. It's the little engine that can.

#COVID19 #coronavirus #pharma #biotech #BARDA

.@virginiafoxx also using her time to blast @SpeakerPelosi #drugpricing bill #HR3.
[so, those words about not being political]
#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@CDCDirector: South Korean test would have to go through our regulatory process.
Can't use their test under #FDA reg process.

#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@CDCDirector: Koreans used a high-throughput platform.
Now being done in NY.
High throughput allows many, many tests to be done at a single time.
Will be approved in U.S. & used by private sector groups.

#COVID19 #coronavirus

#NIH Fauci: Try to get people on call basis to phone physicians ahead & say believe I have a situation.
Doc say stay at home & give instructions on how to get a test.
@repjimcooper notes many Americans don't have primary care doc/rely on ER/urgent care.
#COVID19 #coronavirus

"Look ahead now. We need to do a lot more," #NIH Fauci says in response to @CongressmanHice, who was defending Trump's travel ban actions.

#COVID19 #coronavirus

#NIH Fauci: If we have a major outbreak, we are vulnerable of shortages.
.@PHEgov Kadlec: PPE - much of it sourced overseas. Working with companies to see if increase capacity/obtain from overseas.

#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@CDCDirector: CDC has developed two serological tests that we're evaluating right now so get an idea what extent of outbreak, how many infected.

#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@GerryConnolly: Dems didn't politicize Trump dismantling pandemic/biofense desk at White House; didn't politicize Trump's budget cuts, which Congress restored.
"Fake news" claim about #COVID19 came out of Trump's mouth. "No gaslighting is going to hide that."
#coronavirus

.@GerryConnolly notes Trump wore his campaign hate in the middle of a crisis at the #CDC "with you Dr. Redfield."
This administration was not prepared for this crisis.

#COVID19 #coronavirus

#NIH Fauci response on Trump's dismantling biodefense/pandemic office in White House:
"We worked very well with that office. It would be nice if that office was still there."

#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@CDCDirector: China is a great sign of encouragement.
They've really got control of their outbreak.

[China quarantined millions & millions of people. It also jailed the doctors who warned about the virus]

#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@RepGrothman presses Fauci on numbers infections/deaths.
#NIH Fauci: "We cannot predict" how many will get #COVID19 or die.
It is going to be totally dependent on how we respond to it.
There's no number answer to your question.

#coronavirus

#NIH Fauci: We would recommend that there not be large crowds. If that means not having any people in the audience when NBA plays, so be it.
As a public health official, anything that has large crowds, is something that would risk spread

#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@RepGrothman calls #COVID19 the "new flu"

#coronavirus

Q: Is the person who oversaw Atlanta facility at time of contamination still in charge of current manufacturing process?
.@CDCDirector: It's under investigation & I'm going to leave it there.
#COVID19 #coronavirus #CDC

.@CDCDirector: We developed this test for U.S. public health system. We did not develop for all of clinical medicine. Tests for clinical med, we count on private sector to work w/ FDA [#CDC/#FDA had control of the testing process].
I'm not blaming.
#COVID19 #coronavirus

#NIH Fauci: Social media can often be as detrimental as helpful. [So, those Trump tweets]
If you want the facts of the data, go to CDC.gov [except, #CDC is behind everyone else in its reporting chart]

#COVID19 #coronavirus

#NIH Fauci: Weather impacts flu/colds.
"But, underline, but, we do not know what this virus is going to do. We would hope that as we get to warmer weather it would go down. But we can't proceed under that assumption. Got to assume it could get worse & worse & worse."
#COVID19

.@CDCDirector urges to contact doctor or ER & tell them may have #coronavirus infection & follow their instructions.
If really think infected, trying to avoid someone walking ER with 200 people
#COVID19 #coronavirus

#NIH Fauci: #SARS: 8,000, killed 775 in year. Mortality 9-10%.
In 2.5 months #COVID19, had multiple, multiple of that.
It's not as lethal, but spreads better.
#Flu mortality 0.1%
Stated mortality COVID19 3%. If count minimal cases, bring mortality to 1%, or 10x more lethal flu.

Meanwhile, @SteveFDA is now at @AppropsDems testifying on #TrumpBudget & #COVID19 appropriations.house.gov/events/hearing… #coronavirus #FDA #pharma #biotech

Fauci mixes his analogies.
#NIH Fauci: You skate not to where the puck is, but to where the puck is going to be.
If we don't do very serious mitigation now, we are going to be weeks behind & the horse is going to be out of the barn.

#COVID19 #coronavirus

#NIH Fauci: We must be much more serious as a country about what we might expect.
We cannot look & say 'we have only a couple of cases, that's good,' [um, Trump], because a couple of cases today are going to be many, many cases tomorrow.

#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@CDCDirector: When I was practicing in Army, I could develop a test & use it in clinical med. Somehow between then/now, there was not regulatory discretion for us to do lab developed tests.
@SteveFDA issue reg discretion so universities could develop/use own tests file later

.@RepMaloney says witnesses need to leave. Don't know what's going on. White House says meeting "not" an emergency. She says #CDC #NIH staff just found out. Great deal of confusion/lack coordination. Want to resume hearing at 2pm. WH not responded.
#COVID19

#NIH Fauci says have to check on returning. Have a #Coronavirus task force meeting at 3:30pmET.
.@RepMaloney says will discuss. She recesses for now.

#COVID19

Meanwhile, whatever the meeting is at the White House, @SteveFDA is still testifying at @AppropsDems for now appropriations.house.gov/events/hearing…
#COVID19 #coronavirus #FDA #pharma #biotech #drugshortages

.@stevenmnuchin1 other @AppropsDems hearing "looking at providing substantial relief to certain taxpayers/small businesses who will be able to get extensions on their taxes. We think we can provide over $200B of liquidity into economy by delaying certain tax payments."
#COVID19

So, was Trump's "emergency" meeting pulling #NIH Fauci, @CDCDirector & others from hearing just to talk more about #COVID19 economic relief, where they will come out like last night & say it's still in the works, with nothing yet on the table?
@SteveFDA still at his hearing.

Now it's a wait-and-see if #NIH Fauci, @CDCDirector, @PHEgov return to @OversightDems #COVID19 hearing at 2pmET after Trump called them to the White House [and confusion over whether it was really an emergency or not].
Fauci notes Task Force had 3:30 meeting.

#coronavirus

.@RepMarkPocan: Are we facing shortages of reagents needed to run #COVID19 & antibiotics & are we rationing sedatives?
@SteveFDA: We're aware of pressure in the supply system on reagents for tests. Working on issue. Providing labs alternatives for reagents.

#coronavirus #FDA

.@RepAndyHarrisMD: How can we trust China if we are not doing inspections?
@SteveFDA: In current state, #FDA is confident of current state of American drug supply.
Postponed inspection China other high risk areas for protection of employees.
#COVID19 #coronavirus

.@SteveFDA: For-cause inspection outside of China, taking those on case-by-case basis.
We do have a number of ways look at drug supply. Inspections not only tool.
PREDICT computerized system look at assess imports from high risk.
fda.gov/industry/impor…
#COVID19 #coronavirus #FDA

.@RepBarbaraLee brings up hand sanitizer shortage [raised yesterday at #CDC hearing].
Been in 3 cities, can't find it
She notes lots people don't have access to water & this only alternative they have.
Notes NY making its own.
Brings up online recipe
#COVID19 #coronavirus #FDA

.@SteveFDA on hand sanitizer shortage.
This is very important for the American people & something #FDA takes very seriously.
Drug manufacturers are required.
We are aware there are pressures in hand sanitizer.

#COVID19 #coronavirus #FDA

.@RepBarbaraLee: Do you believe this recipe?
.@SteveFDA: I don't know that recipe & don't want to give Americans false information.
@RepBarbaraLee: But people are using it.

#COVID19 #coronavirus #FDA

.@SteveFDA: "We've been approached by many & I mean many groups, innovators, manufacturers around all of these particular therapeutics."

#COVID19 #coronavirus #FDA

.@SteveFDA: "We are accelerating our work with the manufacturers to get as much regulatory clarity & but also help them with development process & get them into patients as quick as possible."
#COVID19 #coronavirus #FDA #pharma #biotech

.@WHO is calling the #COVID19 outbreak a "#pandemic."

#coronavirus

Coronavirus declared a pandemic by World Health Organization spglobal.com/marketintellig… #COVID19 #coronavirus #WHO #CDC

So, a big question for #NIH Fauci, @CDCDirector @PHEgov & others on the panel when @RepMaloney & @OversightDems reconvene soon -- if the witnesses show up: Is this true? White House told federal health agency to classify coronavirus deliberations reuters.com/article/us-hea… #COVID19

ICYMI: CDC chief bucks Trump, calls for greater global health security investment
spglobal.com/marketintellig… #CDC #COVID19 #coronavirus

. @RepMaloney says told #NIH Fauci & @CDCDirector have been unavoidably detained at the White House.
We don't know what is going on, but they cannot come back.
Will resume the hearing Thursday, March 12 at 11amET.
So now in recess.

#COVID19 #coronavirus