02-28-2020, 08:30 AM
(02-28-2020, 08:04 AM)Goose Wrote: OF, before you conclude that a "drive up" testing approach is a good idea, it might be wise to consider that a limited number of testing kits are currently available. If they get consumed by people who are "just being safe" but have a low probability of being positive we will really have a problem if this outbreak becomes widespread. The capacity to manufacture these kits is also limited. We can't just order a bunch of them and have them show up in a week. The CDC is certainly being cautious about using them up, but that may be because they know we don't have "enough" and can't get "enough" soon.I agree that there's no need to just test everyone but, what's happened so far with the CDC is criminal malpractice. Until yesterday, they were only testing people with travel history to China or an association with a known virus patient. Also, they still have not figured out any way to do the testing outside of Atlanta--yes, all the tests have to be shipped to Georgia.
Meanwhile, every other developed country is testing far more people than we are. Every day I'm reading about faster and cheaper tests. We're stuck in the dark ages, test wise. Whoever was making these decisions at CDC (or above them) should have been fired already. i fear this mismanagement will only get worse as the crisis deepens.