Thread by @WajahatAli

THREAD:

Talked to a Source at BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority), which is under HHS, that develops medical countermeasures in responses to threats such as infectious diseases, such as Ebola, Zika and #coronavirus. 1/

Source says there are incredible scientists who care deeply. However, they’ve been “handicapped.” They've been monitoring the response for a while, “but we didn’t get the go ahead until recently." They didn’t have authority to interact w companies that help develop products. 2/

“A lot of our staff has been repurposed for this [#coronavirus] response as of this week.” The source said some people only began work on this on MONDAY. The team had to wait until the $8.3 billion spending bill was approved. Trump signed that on March 6. 3/

“We got an initial pot of money but we haven’t gotten all of it. We have lined up projects: clinical trials, new diagnostics, new vaccines, new therapeutics. We are still waiting for funds.” 4/

“Another problem is we don’t have enough people to manage the influx of new products." Also, source said they still don’t have enough $$ to give out to companies to develop these critical products. 5/

They said barriers are in the way. “We used to be much more independent in nature, but every single funding decision now has to be reported and approved by assistant secretary of Health and Human Services Service Bob Kaldec, a political appointee” 6/

They believe Kaldec is in over his head who has made very bad calls recently with the Grand Princess Cruise ship docked in California which exposed public health service individuals. 7/

At this rate, the source says US is on track to resemble Italy’s burgeoning #coronavirus pandemic.

If you are a government or health care official who has information you believe the public should know, please feel free to contact me.

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