Thread by @michaelmina_lab

THREAD!
I am exceptionally excited about this real world experiment to bring free at-home rapid tests to two large US communities.

Terrific leadership and scientific policy implementation from our @CDCDirector and @NIH!

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nytimes.com/2021/03/31/hea…

We know that frequent accessible testing with rapid results can be a critically important tool to slow transmission, keep R<1 and prevent surging cases. Why? because anyone can be exposed to the virus and not realize it until after they have become infectious.

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I hope this new initiative will demonstrate the effectiveness of accessible, frequent at-home rapid testing and subsequently inform national policy to make at-home rapid testing available to all Americans without a prescription (and ideally for free!)

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Importantly, the announcement of this public health effort by @CDCDirector @NIHDirector @NIH is entirely in line w the recent updates on rapid screening tests from the @US_FDA, guidance from the @CDCgov and objectives set forth by the @POTUS administration.

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Although #COVID19 Vaccines are clearly our primary objective to help rid us from the grip of this virus, multi-pronged strategies are needed to further mitigate spread and keep outbreaks from becoming surging cases as we roll out vaccines.

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Empowering individuals with knowledge of their infection status on a routine basis, equitably, easily and in the privacy of their own home is absolutely crucial and is one of the most powerful yet least exploited tools we have to combat infectious diseases like SARS-CoV2.

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I’m thankful for our @NIHDirector, Bruce Tromberg, Rachael Fleurence and so many others @NIH for brining this program to life for the US and the world to learn how we can best combat these viruses today and in the future.

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We and others have studied and written about potential strategies like this to combat this virus. I’m grateful that we now have all of our government agencies aligned on what the science says - frequent rapid testing is crucial to mitigate spread of this virus in a pandemic

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Here is a thread about how we viewed something like this to work on a national level. The current program will help further inform this!

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https://twitter.com/michaelmina_lab/status/1328873625894719489