Thank you for this opportunity to share. We missed testing as a tool in December, but we are “ramping up” testing. If we look at the messages, and the “model” with the apex and curves.. they do not match reality. Also, I believe with certainty that in some states there is capacity, and kits, and the ability for test sites to quickly surge to handle expanded capacity (within 20 minutes not days). The sites are only permitted to test patients who fit criteria set by the Executive Chambers each day. Some days tests are done by appointment only. Other days, it’s appointment, any “passengers” with them if they were in some type of vehicle, plus first responders. The tests are also conducted on patients who are very likely and have in some cases, been diagnosed by a provider as being positive based on symptoms and definite exposures. When the “apex” was hit tests were increasing, but when the curve “flattened” tests were not conducted despite the capacity and need remaining steady. I also believe that the downward or “other side” of the curve happened on 2 days in April when testing for the most populated counties, that actually reported, results were closed. Testing was and remains a tool, sadly, it does not serve a public health purpose when policy decisions are made before the results of such tools.

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