Thread by @amymaxmen

Psst: It is your civic duty to watch "Totally Under Control." We must hold leaders accountable.

I've interviewed some of the scientists in the film & dozens more this year. Here are my thoughts after viewing @undercontrolmov from @alexgibneyfilm. 🧵

https://twitter.com/neonrated/status/1312044877065068546

Spot-on portrayal of how the CDC & FDA stood in the way of testing in Feb @undercontrolmov, including @RickABright asking Azar for 10 billion to ramp up testing & drug/vaccine R&D around Jan 20. He’s later told that was an offensive ask.

But...

But the big question remains unanswered: Who at the CDC/FDA/HHS said DON'T push hard on testing?

Tho @RickABright says Kadlec told him there was “no reason for concern” in Jan & @scottjbecker @APHL admits it was hubris to not use the German test vetted & distributed by WHO.

Fab reporting on S Korea @undercontrolmov, where testing ramped up after the 1st case on Jan 20. Meanwhile, former & current science officials in the US start an email chain called “Red Dawn” where they become increasingly frantic about the US' fumbled response. “Late Late Late!”

The film says CDCs Messioner breaks the silence publicly in Feb. But it wasn’t a surprise & didn't require Woodward. @WHO sounded its highest alarm on Jan 30, saying corona was spreading between people in countries outside of China & was high risk.

(I wish @undercontrolmov had included the PHEIC declaration - a key moment that is clearly overlooked by many, including US emergency operations, apparently.) scientificamerican.com/article/who-de…

Shout at the TV while watching a 20-something volunteer on Jared Kushners team try to procure protective gear for the US. Scream loudly inside your heart as the feds drive up the price of PPE & testing supplies for states. Cry when the CDC changes PPE guidelines due to shortages.

Then top admin officials demand to “flood the streets” of NY & NJ with #HydroxyChloroquine. This email leads @RichABright to speak out, be demoted & trashed by Trump/Azar. I wish @undercontrolmov had included studies showing that HCL is ineffective at best & possibly dangerous.

The movie is a truthful thriller. But many won’t believe it. A new survey @BMJ finds that people don't blame leaders for COVID. Maybe they see it as a matter of individual responsibility or an inevitable result of nature. Nothing is further from the truth. gh.bmj.com/content/5/10/e…

Clarification: @scottjbecker was speculating that the CDC refused to use the German/WHO test in this most critical period due to hubris. @APHL doesn't guide decisions @CDCgov, so it wasn't his to make.