Thread by @Laurie_Garrett

LIVE now: U.S. Senate
Update on the Ongoing Federal Response to #COVID19: Current Status and Future Planning
Witnesses:
Rochelle Walensky @CDCDirector
Anthony Fauci @niaid director
Robert Califf @US_FDA commissioner
Dawn O'Connell @HHSGov assist secretary
help.senate.gov/hearings/an-up…

Tough questions from Sen. Burr -- "Tell me what the plan is for ending this epidemic."
Action steps?

As usual, @SenRandPaul is asking #Fauci hostile questions. His issue today is questioning whether there is any evidence that any #COVID19 #vaccines benefit children in any way. "Where is the proof?"
And now he's onto side effect risks...

Now @BernieSanders is asking why so many Americans are unable to get accurate info about how and where to get #COVID19 treatments. @CDCDirector is responding, describing needs for at-risk communities.

In response to @BernieSanders Q about healthcare workers quitting, @CDCDirector says, "We are about
80,000 health workers in deficit with now."
That is enormous.

Now @SenatorMitt Romney is accusing the #Biden Admin of lying about #COVID19 budget needs, in saying it had no more $ to purchase drugs & tests, and then managed to make said purchases. @HHSGov O'Connell says $ had to be drawn from other programs.

Sen Lujan of New Mexico is asking about 4th dose booster #COVID19 shots for <50-yr-old people fleeing wildfires, in crowded rescue facilities. @CDCDirector indicates willingness to consider.

Sen Cassidy is demanding that each agency head state how many days they are working in their offices vs somewhere else. He interrupts them when they explain they are working in the field or sitting now in DC testifying. He is demanding all home-work by fedl workers end.

NH Sen. Maggie Hass is asking @US_FDA Commish about the baby formula shortage crisis. And asking #Fauci abt #COVID19 #vaccines for toddlers and babies -- ready? Fauci says it's now up to @CDCDirector & process underway. "The data look very very good."

Maine's Sen. Susan Collins is asking about the wisdom of making #COVID19 treatments easily available -- esp. #Paxlovid -- despite drug/drug interactions and low efficacy in some cases. @US_FDA Califf answers that need to speed access, while still considering complications.

Maine's Sen. Collins now asking @CDCDirector about mask mandates, which she says break trust and fail to actually protect. Walensky says there are many studies that show masks work.

In reaction to #GOP questions on the matter, MN Sen. Tina Smith asks agcy heads, "Has the work of your agency been hampered in any way by people now working in the office?"
All respond, "No."

Dr. Rochelle Walensky @CDCDirector says her agency is not receiving timely data from Tribal Authorities for #COVID19 and #monkepox despite many requests. And general hospital data isn't coming in adequately. Need better data-sharing.

Indiana Sen. Braun asks will we ever need to use lockdowns again? @CDCDirector says we certainly hope not. Braun follows by questioning #vaccine mandates in workplaces. #Vaccine mandates are generally local decisions, says Walensky.
Braun questions #Biden federal vax mandates.

Indiana's Sen. Braun asks if all #COVID19 efforts should prioritize elders with comorbidities?
@CDCDirector says yes, but #COVID deaths are high in all age groups, even small children, and we should not focus on one demographic.

Indiana Sen. Braun asks #Fauci about the origins of #COVID19.
#Fauci says keep an open mind. All evidence "points strongly to a natural occurrence," & expresses hope that Chinese will cooperate in giving data and in investigating.

Colorado Sen. Hickenlooper asks @US_FDA can we expand urgent clinical trials beyond USA, to include populations in regions overseas. Commissioner says yes, mentions collaborations with #Israel .

Colorado's Hickenlooper asks #Fauci abt #pandemic preparedness -- advance surveillance. Fauci details NIH efforts to come up with tools to spot microbes before epidemics explode. Notes lack of funding has slowed efforts.

Kansas Sen. Marshall is talking about #fentanyl & #opioids -- asks @CDCDirector expand Title 42 Auth to block migrants crossing Mexican border on grounds of drug smuggling potential.
Walensky says it's a drug policy question, not approp under Title 42.

KS SenMarshall asks #Fauci when @NIH will stop funding research in China?
Fauci says some projs have led to good science: collab., w/State Dept clearance.
Marshall Qs @EcoHealthNYC grants.
Fauci: "we have rec'ed frm them pub'ed lit that shows they've done what the grant was for."

VA Sen. Tim Kaine -- who personally struggles w/long #COVID19 nerve tingling -- asks #Fauci where research stands. Fauci says it's very multifaceted, affecting people in so many different ways that it's unlikely any single treatment will work. Says it's a top priority at NIH.

NV Sen. Rosen asks what @CDCgov is doing to get booster doses to seniors, especially those who may be otherwise impaired. @CDCDirector says new CDC data shows 4th dose decreases death rate in seniors 7-fold compared to 3rd booster. HUGE.
And plan big info push to elders.

CO's Hickenlooper asks how @CDCgov global forecasting prog for tracking #SARSCoV2 variants is going. @CDCDirector says it's predicted local outbreaks of variants & put resources where needed.
"If we don't control these new variants (overseas) they will likely reach our shores."

NC SenBurr says "this was designed to pressure #Republicans to open up the checkbook & let the Pres. fill it in," for #COVID19 funds. "Nobody's worked harder on the Hill for this than I have." BUT, we require "a degree of detail that you & this admin are unwilling to share."
MORE

Burr/2
and, he says, fedl govt needs to tell the whole nation to get back to working in the office. Tells the witnesses, "get all of your employees back in the office."
And scolds them for, in his opinion, refusing to answer questions.