Thread 1/5: I suspect the reasons behind the POTUS Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for plasma Rx may have an ulterior motive: They are working to lower the bar for EUAs in general, in order to push what they really want - an EUA for a COVID19 #vaccine
Thread 2/5: Regarding plasma Rx, the studies I've seen from @MayoClinic @HopkinsMedicine show some benefit, esp when given early in the course of the illness and in large amounts. I remain enthusiastic about continuing this approach - at least until new mabs become available
Thread 3/5: Whether or not plasma Rx is released through an EUA or the existing expanded access EAP from my standpoint doesn't make much difference, but the docs on the frontline tell me an EUA makes it easier, with less paperwork, tracking. But that's not the point....
Thread 4/5: I think the reason why the White House got involved has less to do with an EUA for plasma Rx (although maybe it's a way they can appear to be doing something substantive) and more to do with getting the public feeling comfortable with EUAs in general.
Thread 5/5: Possibly they think this could provide a "glide path" for a future EUA for a COVID19 #vaccines, potentially a pre-election vaccine EUA. I hope I'm wrong but I'm being vigilant...
Thread 6/5: (extra one sorry) so maybe nothing wrong per se about an EUA for plasma Rx. And maybe OK for @US_FDA to agree to this. But the White House may have their eyes on a bigger target.
Thread 7/5: (OK 2 extra) just for the record (to be unambiguous), if I had #COVID19 and was sick, I would request convalescent plasma, special congrats to @DrMJoyner @ShohamTxID @ACasadevall1 for their important work on this...my hope is that the new mabs become available soon
Thread 8/5 (OK 3 extra) it's just so awful the way the White House confuses the real science with the fake science for their hidden agendas. But that's the lesson: This is how anti-science movements work, they string real facts factoids with falsehoods to create false narratives
