It is April 8, 2020 (9:30 AM) and I have reviewed Tuesday comments from Mayor Ganim. The pandemic has provided leaders (and citizens) with multiple unique challenges. Some of us ask questions. On April 4 I wrote of a continuing concern that is unanswered despite the multiple attempts to provide us with facts, figures, and best practices regarding the virus.
What is the current story on Covid 19 testing? Locally where are the tests done? Have rules changed to qualify for such a test? In Bridgeport who are all of the parties doing the testing? Since there are multiple City, State and Federal health authorities, who is tasked with providing these tests and is the process coordinated in any manner? Are any of them responsible to provide info on test results for communication to the public daily? There is news that the City is hiring an experienced City Health Director before May 1. What role will this City department executive play in the testing scheme?
Yesterday the Mayor reported that 236 cases of Covid-19 and 3 deaths are current. The numbers seem low and folks are asking why. The City offers that early and frequent advice from the Mayor’s Office as likely responsible for what seems like “good news”. The reported cases have been discovered as part of citizens awareness of symptoms and alerting medical practitioners to be authorized for testing. Is it possible for us to learn how many tests are done currently that turn out negative as well as positive? Such a daily report might provide not only more info but some balance as well to folks.
Originally, an inadequate supply of test kits, materials, re-agents, swabs, etc. was been provided nationally as the reason for rationing testing. Rationing testing has eliminated surveillance testing techniques, as well. Where does that stand today? Who can tell us how much new testing equipment enters our Bridgeport system daily and how many are used? Are we developing a “stockpile”?
Shouldn’t we know this basic background info as we learn that some folks, whether in the White House, or on the healthcare front lines are provided more than one testing opportunity? It is well to hear that Bridgeport hospital beds and ventilators appear adequate to the current challenge, but testing is so basic to eliminating virus concerns ultimately and no one is communicating facts and figures on this subject daily. Why not? Can you and will you provide all the folks interested with the facts? Time will tell.
It is April 8, 2020 (9:30 AM) and I have reviewed Tuesday comments from Mayor Ganim. The pandemic has provided leaders (and citizens) with multiple unique challenges. Some of us ask questions. On April 4 I wrote of a continuing concern that is unanswered despite the multiple attempts to provide us with facts, figures, and best practices regarding the virus.
What is the current story on Covid 19 testing? Locally where are the tests done? Have rules changed to qualify for such a test? In Bridgeport who are all of the parties doing the testing? Since there are multiple City, State and Federal health authorities, who is tasked with providing these tests and is the process coordinated in any manner? Are any of them responsible to provide info on test results for communication to the public daily? There is news that the City is hiring an experienced City Health Director before May 1. What role will this City department executive play in the testing scheme?
Yesterday the Mayor reported that 236 cases of Covid-19 and 3 deaths are current. The numbers seem low and folks are asking why. The City offers that early and frequent advice from the Mayor’s Office as likely responsible for what seems like “good news”. The reported cases have been discovered as part of citizens awareness of symptoms and alerting medical practitioners to be authorized for testing. Is it possible for us to learn how many tests are done currently that turn out negative as well as positive? Such a daily report might provide not only more info but some balance as well to folks.
Originally, an inadequate supply of test kits, materials, re-agents, swabs, etc. was been provided nationally as the reason for rationing testing. Rationing testing has eliminated surveillance testing techniques, as well. Where does that stand today? Who can tell us how much new testing equipment enters our Bridgeport system daily and how many are used? Are we developing a “stockpile”?
Shouldn’t we know this basic background info as we learn that some folks, whether in the White House, or on the healthcare front lines are provided more than one testing opportunity? It is well to hear that Bridgeport hospital beds and ventilators appear adequate to the current challenge, but testing is so basic to eliminating virus concerns ultimately and no one is communicating facts and figures on this subject daily. Why not? Can you and will you provide all the folks interested with the facts? Time will tell.