As an ER doctor in a rural hospital, I have serious concerns over @realdonaldtrump’s "plan" to #OpenAmericaUpAgain. While the framework seems logical, the entire plan depends, in Dr. Birx’s words, on “the persistence of high level testing.” Here’s my concern: (1/9)
There's a real danger in opening too soon. "Hot spots" still haven’t defined the true number of cases due to a lack of testing -- and not testing asymptomatic people. In my area, we are nowhere near a peak and could create a hot spot that could overwhelm my hospital. (2/9)
In rural hospitals like mine, we run with limited resources of staffing on a regular basis. Just a handful of critically ill #COVID19 patients above our baseline could stretch our one nighttime respiratory therapist too thin and jeopardize patient care. (3/9)
During this time, people are still having strokes, heart attacks & broken hips. When staff are getting sick at higher rates, and beds are full due to a local hot spot, those patients who depend on us for a broad spectrum of their healthcare needs will have real problems. (4/9)
In Michigan, we hit our peak of testing on March 31 with over 8K tests & have recently been testing around 4-5K/day. As I speak with doctors across the country in @cmteetoprotect, the undeniable reason for this lag in testing is the lack of a national program. (5/9)
It is impossible that any state has “high level testing” necessary to satisfy the criteria to enter Phase 1 of “opening”. For Florida to be opening beaches this week, and Trump suggest that 29 states are ready to start opening, is disheartening and truly dangerous. (6/9)
I know that #Shelterinplace is a real challenge for many. Some wish to relax this measure ASAP, but the risk of prematurely doing so is an unnecessary significant loss of life, and the need to reinstitute such extreme measures in the future, prolonging the economic crisis. (7/9)
It is clear that, based upon the President’s own plan for states, a national testing strategy is necessary for any state to consider opening in the next month. The President should use the #DPA to ensure an abundance of tests, swabs and reagents to get the job done. (8/9)
It is likely that some swaths of the country will be able to start opening once testing is ubiquitous, and the true number of cases is known and significantly decreasing. But that isn’t yet.
Re-opening before mass testing will increase loss of life AND economic calamity.
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Re-opening before mass testing will increase loss of life AND economic calamity.
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