[OutsiderFan]

The federal government hasn't been completely useless during this pandemic, but it could be significantly more helpful if not being so neutered.

The governors know the reality and aren't afraid of it. They know they need:

1. More testing capacity; testing materials and PPE
2. Contact tracing

The good news is the stay at home orders have done their job of flattening the curve and keeping hospitals from being overwhelmed to the point of collapse. The fact governors are now talking about testing and contact tracing, rather than beds and ventilators, demonstrates they are entering into a new phase of thinking.

Of course, the federal government has done NOTHING to help states get the testing equipment they need, and I don't know to what degree any of the previous relief appropriations have included funding to hire contact tracers.  Nor do I have any insight into how any of this is being integrated into the Apple-Google tracking system.  I honestly don't know how the Apple-Google system can effectively be implemented without federal coordination. I'm guessing it would make sense for them to work with CDC on this, but I have less than zero faith in the current regime doing anything that would be efficient or make any sense.

[OutsiderFan]

The federal government hasn't been completely useless during this pandemic, but it could be significantly more helpful if not being so neutered.

The governors know the reality and aren't afraid of it. They know they need:

1. More testing capacity; testing materials and PPE
2. Contact tracing

The good news is the stay at home orders have done their job of flattening the curve and keeping hospitals from being overwhelmed to the point of collapse. The fact governors are now talking about testing and contact tracing, rather than beds and ventilators, demonstrates they are entering into a new phase of thinking.

Of course, the federal government has done NOTHING to help states get the testing equipment they need, and I don't know to what degree any of the previous relief appropriations have included funding to hire contact tracers.  Nor do I have any insight into how any of this is being integrated into the Apple-Google tracking system.  I honestly don't know how the Apple-Google system can effectively be implemented without federal coordination. I'm guessing it would make sense for them to work with CDC on this, but I have less than zero faith in the current regime doing anything that would be efficient or make any sense.