THE TEN YEAR WAR draws on my past reporting, from Washington and around the country, plus new interviews with dozens of key players -- from relatively anonymous activists and congressional staffers to officials at the highest levels of power. (3)
General Gus Perna, giving Warp Speed briefing right now:
First shipments leaving Pfizer within 24 hours, will arrive at providers starting on Monday.
Describes this as "D-Day," but notes that it doesn't mean "distribution" as some as thought. It's the military designation for the beginning of an operation.
Public health officials were raising alarms in January and by the middle of the month some were discussing using the Defense Production Act to speed manufacturing of supplies...
2/x
By early February, officials were warning that the U.S. would have dangerous supply shortages, including if the all-important N95 masks.
But administration has focused on this only recently, still doesn’t seem to have a handle on it.
3/x
Rhode Island @GovRaimondo on @MSNBC right now, explaining that state has started a COVID hotline and (using National Guard) set up a network of facilities, mostly tents, for drive-up testing.
Smart and something other states should consider.
Just to provide some more detail on, it sounds like you call the hotline and, if testing is appropriate, they'll tell you where to go to get tested.
What officials don't want is tons of people people taking themselves to clinics, ER for testing.
Emphasizes health care -- protection of ACA pre-existing condition protections, Medicaid expansion. This was also a big part of her campaign.
Also: "The Obama-Biden" auto industry rescue.
More on health care: Emphasizes common thread between Biden and Sanders, both trying to expand coverage. Then pivots to "Obama-Biden" record, including passage and defense of ACA:
"When the chips were down, they had our back."
Auto industry reference is noteworthy.
GM/Chrysler rescue was a huge, still under-appreciated factor in Obama's 2012 reelection.
Could it help Biden in 2020? It's been a while, may be less effective when Romney isn't opponent.