Scientists say they've been handicapped by Trump admin, only began work on Corona on Monday

[octoberlib]

Link to tweet

Talked to a Source at BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority), which is under HHS, that develops medical countermeasures in responses to threats such as infectious diseases, such as Ebola, Zika and #coronavirus. 1/


Source says many are incredible scientists who care deeply. However, they’ve been “handicapped.” They have been monitoring the response for a while, “but we didn’t get the go ahead until recently, & we didn’t have authority to interact w companies that help develop products.” 2/

“A lot of our staff has been repurposed for this [#coronavirus] response as of this week.” The source only officially began to work on this on MONDAY. The team had to wait until the $8.3 billion spending bill was approved. Trump signed that on March 6. 3/


“We got an initial pot of money but we haven’t gotten all of it. We have lined up projects: clinical trials, new diagnostics, new vaccines, new therapeutics. We are still waiting for funds.” 4/


“Another problem is we don’t have enough people to manage the influx of new products. Also, source said they still don’t have enough $$ to give out to companies to develop these critical products." 5/

Source says barriers are in the way. “We used to be much more independent in nature, but every single funding decision now has to be reported and approved by assistant secretary of Health and Human Services Service Bob Kaldec, a political appointee." 6/

The source believes Kaldec is in over his head and has made some very bad calls recently with the Grand Princess Cruise ship docked in California which exposed public health service individials who went to help. 7/

At this rate, the source says US is on track to resemble Italy’s burgeoning #coronavirus pandemic.

If you're a government or health care professional who has information you think the public should know, please contact me.

[uponit7771]

1. Yep, on purpose bluer areas get greatest infections and can't vote ... Red Don wins election.

[Rorey]

2. This is shocking news

To no one.

[Niagara]

3. This does not surprise me

Flush the turd Nov. 3rd!

[procon]

4. $8 Billion for nationwide response?

We're screwed. Didn't Trump just sprinkle a trillion dollars around the stock market?

People are going to die while Trump and his bean counters juggle every decision to bolster his damned precious ego.

[eShirl]

5. OMFG

gross negligence kills

[crickets]

6. Unbelievable. K&R for visibility. nt

[cojoel]

7. If you ever find yourself in over your head

"The source believes Kaldec is in over his head"

Speaking as a former executive (who gave it all up for lent many years ago in favor of technical work), this is what you need to do if you ever find yourself "in over your head".

1) Accept that you need to delegate the authority on this. Read up on how to do it if necessary.
2) Hire (or in this case identify) the smartest fucking people in this area who will not be over their head
3) Delegate the decision making to them. Lead the consensus process but do not input your own (unqualified) views into it.
4) Praise them profusely and publicly and give them all of the credit for success, while accepting responsibility for what doesn't go well

Admittedly, this runs right into the huge ego that so many political appointees have. On the flip side, it actually works.

[Pluvious]

8. The tweet is gone (n/t)

[Hermit-The-Prog]

9. Naturally.