Post by phillip on Jun 26, 2020 7:30:41 GMT
Yeah, this is why people were concerned about Trump's "jokes" in reference to less testing means less cases. Because Trump lacks a real sense of humor and people knew he was probably hinting at future policy. Does anyone wanna still pretend like Trump has ever taken this pandemic seriously unless there was something in it for him?
The federal government is ending its support for 13 drive-thru coronavirus testing sites on June 30, urging states to take over their operations — even as cases spike in several parts of the country.
The sites, which HHS says are spread across five states, are the remnants of a larger federal testing program established early in the pandemic. Seven sites are in Texas, which is experiencing record numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.
The sites, which HHS says are spread across five states, are the remnants of a larger federal testing program established early in the pandemic. Seven sites are in Texas, which is experiencing record numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.
The background: In March, HHS and FEMA set up 4 testing sites in 12 states. During the height of the pandemic, in early April, HHS tried to offload control of the drive-thru sites to states. The department reversed course after governors objected.
Reaction: Scott Becker, CEO of the Association of Public Health Laboratories, says it's not the right time to shift responsibility for the sites — especially those near emerging hot spots in Texas — to states.
“The federally supported testing sites remain critically needed, and in some place like Houston and Harris County, TX and in other hotspots, are needed now more than ever,” Becker said in an email. “This is not the time for the federal government to walk back prior commitments on testing.”
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) was also critical of the plan. "It's pretty clear to me, and I think it's clear to all of us, that with the uptick of cases, now is not the time to retreat from our vigilance in testing," he said. "I believe that they need to extend that federal support in Texas, at least until we get this most recent uptick in cases addressed."
Reaction: Scott Becker, CEO of the Association of Public Health Laboratories, says it's not the right time to shift responsibility for the sites — especially those near emerging hot spots in Texas — to states.
“The federally supported testing sites remain critically needed, and in some place like Houston and Harris County, TX and in other hotspots, are needed now more than ever,” Becker said in an email. “This is not the time for the federal government to walk back prior commitments on testing.”
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) was also critical of the plan. "It's pretty clear to me, and I think it's clear to all of us, that with the uptick of cases, now is not the time to retreat from our vigilance in testing," he said. "I believe that they need to extend that federal support in Texas, at least until we get this most recent uptick in cases addressed."
