Thread by @Laurie_Garrett

A #WarpSpeed press conf starting momentarily @CDCgov w @HHSGov Sec. #Azar and @CDCDirector #Redfield & Dep Dir Jay Butler.
The @FDA vaccine advisory comm meets tomorrow. And a volunteer in @AstraZeneca trial in Brazil died. Waiting for the presser....will thread from here.

Starting. Redfield: "#COVID19 is the most significant public health challenge our nation has faced in 100 years."
"It's been a difficult year for Americans, but we are going to through this on the other side."
"remain diligent...protect ourselves"
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3/ Dep Dir @CDCgov Jay Butler:
Speaks wearing 😷
"we're seeing a distressing trend"
220,000 deaths
>75% of country has ^ed cases
National ^ 60,000/day, "in all parts of the country"
"we get tired of wearing masks, but it's more important than ever"
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4/ Butler cont.
"We all want to live as safely as we can...."
"We are cautiously optimistic that #vaccine will be available before the end of 2020"
CDC is part of #OperationWarpSpeed
"All jurisdictions have submitted their #vaccine plans" for distribution X-USA
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5/ Butler cont.
CDC is reviewing State plans for #COVID19 #vaccine delivery
CVS & Walgreens partnering w/govt to distr vax
Lists who at front of line: HCWers, nursing home residents...
Mentions @US_FDA vax advisory comm meets to review vaccines
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6/ Sec. #AlexAzar:
CDC leads effort to distribute #Vaccines
coronavirus.gov = place to sign up as vaccine volunteer
BUT "disturbing treands" X-country
"There is hope on the way" in months = vaxes
But now, distance +masks needed.
Taking questions now
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7/ Q abt undermining @CDCgov Azar: "The CDC is the premier epidemiological institution in the world...the crown jewel..we revere it"
BUT "This is something that impacts the entire govt and the entire economy"..CDC plays a role, but #COVID19 bigger than that
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8/
Azar: "CDC plays A role not THE role"
Redfield (all wear 😷s) : originally said 6' contact >15 mins. Now see shorter contacts..added up..became infected. So new recommendation for shorter exposures, greater distance
Data now...indivs w/high risk exposure have a period
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9/ Redfield cont
"Now there's a series of studies" underway to see if can shorten quarantine frm 14 days w/testing."
"We don't want to have people quarantined for 14 days if it's unnecessary"
"CDC is a science-based service org."
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10/
Q about real death toll
Butler -- excess deaths...
"We know more people have died this year...300,000 excess deaths. About 2/3rds of those we can link directly to #COVID19 . Other 1/3rd -- may be unrecog'ed deaths linked to COVID" e.g. CVD deaths
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11/ Q. When widespread vaccine avail?
Butler Details process of safety, trials..."I wish we had a crystal ball"
Azar: Pfizer, Moderna when get Phase3 data, move on. All are getting made now. Expect by end of year to have enough vax for vulnerables...by April enough for all"
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12/
Azar is insisting #Trump respects #TonyFauci
details how safety is ensured for #COVID19 #VaccinesWork tomorrow safety monitoring board @US_FDA meets to review. If say any are safe & promising, then FDA & external advis comm review more
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13/
Azar -- 5 tiers of #COVID19 #vaccine safety check..."all ethical standards" followed.
END OF PRESSER