We had a shot to contain this pandemic early on and we didn’t--in large part because of lack of testing.
Soon, when the # of cases comes down, we're going to get one more shot. We need to go big--really big--to contain this & avoid another apex. Let’s get it right this time. 1/
Soon, when the # of cases comes down, we're going to get one more shot. We need to go big--really big--to contain this & avoid another apex. Let’s get it right this time. 1/
NYC is still in the heat of this crisis. But it’s not too soon to start preparing for what comes next.
To move towards normalcy, to have even partial reopenings, we need a system to detect *every case*, trace contacts and quarantine when needed--all on a massive scale. 2/
To move towards normalcy, to have even partial reopenings, we need a system to detect *every case*, trace contacts and quarantine when needed--all on a massive scale. 2/
We are currently testing about 10k people a day in NYC. Seems like a lot? We are going to need to ramp up to 10x or 20x this amount for the next phase.
But there’s a problem: we barely have enough supplies for our current relatively low level of testing. 3/
But there’s a problem: we barely have enough supplies for our current relatively low level of testing. 3/
We’ve had a global shortage of ventilators & masks. Now there’s a global shortage of swabs, reagents and other testing components.
Only the federal gov't can fix this. They must--finally--use the full power of the Defense Production Act. This time to ensure testing supplies. 4/
Only the federal gov't can fix this. They must--finally--use the full power of the Defense Production Act. This time to ensure testing supplies. 4/
New testing technologies are emerging that might make all of this easier, like tests that can read saliva, possibly even allowing you to self-test and mail it in. 5/
But under any scenario we are going to need to build, staff & equip testing sites all over this city, especially in the communities of color which have been hit disproportionately hard by the pandemic.
These communities need to be the priority for the next phase of testing. 6/
These communities need to be the priority for the next phase of testing. 6/
Conducting mass testing will be extraordinarily expensive. The round 4 stimulus package Congress is working on needs to include $ billions for localities like NYC to cover this cost.
That’s the price for re-opening our economy. It’s a cheap investment. 7/
That’s the price for re-opening our economy. It’s a cheap investment. 7/
We also need to build a system to trace the contacts of everyone in NYC who have tested positive. This could potentially be feasible once we get down to 500 new cases per day citywide. But it won’t be easy. 8/
We will need a staff of 1000s (maybe more) to do the tracing & related work. They must try to interview everyone with the virus, reach out to those they were in close contact with, & put in place a system of voluntary health monitoring or quarantining for those who need it. 9/
We’ll need to create a call center capable of making 100s of thousands of calls per day to those home w/ COVID & those potentially infected.
Caseworkers will need to evaluate every household situation, offering a voluntary option of relocation to those who want a safe haven. 10/
Caseworkers will need to evaluate every household situation, offering a voluntary option of relocation to those who want a safe haven. 10/
At times, for the sake of the rest of the family, we'll need to allow a mildly sick person the opportunity to stay in a hotel until they’re no longer contagious.
In other cases it will be easier for the healthy family member to relocate. We’ll need separate hotels for this. 11/
In other cases it will be easier for the healthy family member to relocate. We’ll need separate hotels for this. 11/
Hotels for the mildly sick will need to be staffed, including by medical professionals. This will only be possible once our hospitals no longer need every single healthcare worker for COVID acute care. 12/
And there is a dizzying amount of logistics to work out:
* childcare/eldercare for families with a parent in quarantine
* A system for transporting sick patients (not mass transit)
* Telemedicine to check on those sick at home
13/
* childcare/eldercare for families with a parent in quarantine
* A system for transporting sick patients (not mass transit)
* Telemedicine to check on those sick at home
13/
What about that app you heard about that can do contact tracing on your cell phone? NYC is exploring this, with many complicated questions to answer. But this would only be an aid to human tracers, not a substitute. 14/
It is critical that there be community input and participation in all of this--especially in the communities of color which have been so hard hit by the pandemic. Local non-profits, especially in low-income communities, should be brought in to help plan and do outreach. 15/
It will take months to do all the hiring, contracting, sourcing, and logistical planning to pull this off. We will need the federal gov’t to support us in so many ways. But we also need to be prepared to do much of this on our own. We have no choice. 16/
To recap: The next stage in our fight against the epidemic will be long and complicated. But New York City has what it takes to do this. Let’s act decisively to keep each other safe--and start returning to the normal life together we all crave. 17/17
