Thread by @CathJSweeney

We're in the media availability with OSDH. State Epidemiologist Jared Taylor says private labs are having trouble adjusting to the new electronic reporting. Says they're collecting data, and that they're partners we don't want to mandate.

This runs parallel to the testimony we heard this morning in the coronavirus response interim study, the House committee hearing. Similarly, they said hospitalization figures originate somewhere else — hospital self reporting — and the state is a partner.

Taylor: "We have no had the opportunity or the technical ability to connect the dots" with regards to contact tracing. We haven't gotten to where we can point definitively toward sources of transmission. (We used to have top five, with restaurants, gyms etc.) Cases are too high.

Taylor: When contact tracers call people to tell them to quarantine, we can't tell them specifics about where they were exposed because of privacy (!). It makes it hard to trace back.

Taylor: It is nearly impossible to get that kind of transmission venue information nailed down. "It would borderline on farcical."

Frye on mitigation efforts such as mask mandates: "There are multiple things discussed multiple times a week... There is nothing off the table." We have been hearing that for months with no specifics.

Frye: We're talking about closing bars or restaurants, limiting capacity in them, limiting gatherings. "We talk about all of those things." It's our job to present those options and the governor's job to make the tough policy decisions.

Frye: Gov. Stitt is trying to use as much data as he can to assess what could make a difference. "I definitely know he's looking at all the different options."

Frye on whether he's recommended a statewide mask mandate: We've looked at measures, and mask mandates seem to be the least effective. Not masks; they're effective. It's the mandates. "I don't recommend mask mandate, I recommend mask compliance." It's not enforceable.

Frye: I've had people come up and tell me they'd wear a mask unless someone told them they had to. Do we have people so independent they'll do the opposite of what they should to protect their choice? "Absolutely, we do have those people in Oklahoma."

State Epidemiologist Jared Taylor: I can analyze options, vet them. What we should do — limiting restaurant capacity, closing houses of worship — isn't my place. "That's not a science question, that's a political question. If I ever run for office, I'll have to answer that."

They're going into data material that frankly I'm too behind on to tweet accurately. Will resume in a minute.

Frye: Hospital capacity is far from being at an emergency level, but some hospitals are limiting surgeries and implementing internal surge plans to shore up room.

Frye: Some of the hospitals are starting to limit services themselves. (Matt Stacy, who oversees the surge plan, said the opposite this morning, saying no one has started. Hospital Association Pres. Patti Davis told me ast week several have implemented those cutbacks .)

Ben Felder at The Frontier says Trump announce he's reaching out to see what they need. Asks Frye what he would see.

Frye: I'd like to see a continued focus on testing. I'm scared when CARES disappears at the end of the year, it won't be replaced. It would fall on insurers

Frye: That likely wouldn't be good for surveillance. They likely wouldn't want to pay unless there are symptoms or confirmed exposure. We need much testing to catch it early.