Thread by @PeteKaliner

NC Health Secretary leads off today's briefing with a focus on long-term care & nursing home outbreaks.

Touts Governor's "decisive action" early on.

#NCpol #NCGA #COVID19NC #NCGov

Now Dr. Cohen is touting proactive testing plan.
To begin next week,

#NCpol #NCGA #COVID19NC #NCGov

Reminder: States were advised to get tests done in all nursing homes in early May.
So, it seems NC is about 2 months late on this.
#NCpol #NCGA #COVID19NC #NCGov

Cohen: Once the virus finds it's way into a nursing home it's devastating.

As if the virus is just strolling around town and stumbles upon a long term care facility and wanders inside.

#NCpol #NCGA #COVID19NC #NCGov

This briefing seems like it should've been delivered back in May.
Two out of three COVID deaths are in nursing homes, and they're acting like this is new information... that the plan they're rolling out next week is timely.

#NCpol #NCGA #COVID19NC #NCGov

Cohen: Protecting people in the long term care facilities & nursing homes in NC is "a top priority for us."

About 65% of #COVID19 deaths in NC are in these facilities.

The national rate is about 40%.

#NCpol #NCGA #COVID19NC #NCGov

Cohen touts & praises her & Governor Cooper's leadership (again) in protecting the people of NC.

#NCpol #NCGA #COVID19NC #NCGov

Cohen: Yes, mass gatherings are high risk for spreading the virus.
Also, in high-risk occupations like meat packing, manufacturing, construction, and it then spreads into the communities.
Also, in long-term care facilities.

#NCpol #NCGA #COVID19NC #NCGov

Cohen: Younger people are the majority of new cases (ages 18-49). She goes on to implore young people to take the virus seriously.

This message of caution to young people was missing during the past month of demonstrations.

#NCpol #NCGA #COVID19NC #NCGov

Cohen: I read the article about the Norway study about gyms posing no additional risk of transmission. "But it was only for two weeks." And that's not solid enough to make policy decisions.

#NCpol #NCGA #COVID19NC #NCGov