The Darkest Winter

[toucana]

Dr Rick Bright who was removed by President Trump from his post as head of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) after refusing to endorse Hydroxychloroquine as a panacea for COVID-19 is scheduled to testify before Congress this Thursday. A copy of his prepared statement obtained by CNN includes the following:

Our window of opportunity is closing. If we fail to develop a national coordinated response, based in science, I fear the pandemic will get far worse and be prolonged, causing unprecedented illness and fatalities. Without clear planning and implementation of the steps that I and other experts have outlined, 2020 will be (the) darkest winter in modern history.

First and foremost we need to be truthful with the American people. They want the truth. They can handle the truth. Truth, no matter how unpleasant, decreases the fear generated by uncertainty. The truth must be based on scientific evidence - and not filtered for political reasons. We must know and appreciate what we are up against. We have the world’s greatest scientists - they must be permitted to lead. Let them speak truthfully, without fear of retribution. We must listen so that government can then take the most powerful steps to save lives.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/13/politics/read-rick-bright-house-opening-statement/index.html

Bright is set to testify Thursday morning before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's health subcommittee

Bright is seeking to be reinstated to his position as the head of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and the Office of Special Counsel, which is reviewing Bright's complaint, has determined there is reason to believe his removal was retaliatory and is recommending he be reinstated during its investigation, according to Bright's attorneys.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/13/politics/rick-bright-testimony-congress/index.html

A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson responded that it was "a personnel matter that is currently under review" but said it "strongly disagrees with the allegations and characterizations."

[TheVat]

Passing this along. One factor in a dark winter is a healthcare system that is unavailable to many citizens of the US.

The unspoken problem with engaging with a testing regime is why do it when you can’t get treatment, or afford it if you could get it? Why go to the doctor when that risks destroying your family’s future? We want to test, trace the contacts of every case, and isolate everyone infected, and thus reopen the economy, but without the treatment piece, this idea fails the most basic part of epidemiology: universal participation.

The way we get out is not immunity passports or herd immunity, it’s not test test test, it’s a whole system of health that cares for the whole population. The things that have worked the world over, from Germany to Vietnam, always begin and end with universal access to healthcare. Not just testing, tracing, isolating, but the most important part of public health: treatment. But doing that requires a public health system with the public as the beneficiary, not a small percentage of those who can afford it with ease...

https://www.emptywheel.net/2020/05/17/i ... n-america/