Need a Coronavirus Test? Being Rich and Famous May Help

[Celerity]

A shortage in testing has left sick people and health care workers around the U.S. without answers. Yet the list of celebrity patients grows every day, raising questions about privileged access.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/18/us/coronavirus-testing-elite.html

The Brooklyn Nets managed to arrange tests for its entire roster. Four were positive, and one exhibited symptoms.

Politicians, celebrities, social media influencers and even N.B.A. teams have been tested for the new coronavirus. But as that list of rich, famous and powerful people grows by the day, so do questions about whether they are getting access to testing that is denied to other Americans. Some of these high-profile people say they are feeling ill and had good reason to be tested. Others argue that those who were found to be infected and then isolated themselves provided a good example to the public.

But with testing still in short supply in areas of the country, leaving health care workers and many sick people unable to get diagnoses, some prominent personalities have obtained tests without exhibiting symptoms or having known contact with someone who has the virus, as required by some testing guidelines. Others have refused to specify how they were tested.

Such cases have provoked accusations of elitism and preferential treatment about a testing system that has already been plagued with delays and confusion, and now stirred a new national debate that has reached the White House — with President Trump being asked at a Wednesday news conference whether “the well-connected go to the front of the line.”

“You’d have to ask them that question,” he replied, suggesting that should not be the case. “Perhaps that’s been the story of life. That does happen on occasion, and I’ve noticed where some people have been tested fairly quickly.” Inside the N.B.A., where eight entire teams have been tested, there are differing views. Bob Myers, the president of basketball operations for the Golden State Warriors, said his team thought it would be unfair for its players to seek special access.

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[KT2000]

1. Yep - noticed that

even healthcare workers are being put off. This is not right.

[hlthe2b]

2. Well, I'll just have to get right on that.

[Chainfire]

3. That is how this country works

An old man explained it to me once, he said, "Those who gots gets.'

[Meowmee]

4. This is what happens when you have

A health care system based on greed and monetary profits/ gain first and care second. The preparation for any type of real mass disaster has never been there.

[MFGsunny]

5. Too true. But looks like help is not only on the way, but just got here already.

https://www.airforcemag.com/usaf-ferrying-covid-19-test-kits-to-impacted-areas/

Curious isn't it that we got these test kits flown in from Aviano Air Force base in Italy (of all places) to Memphis, TN of all places.
The cynic in me wants to know the how/why! Hopefully, it's NOT that wretched Marsha Blackburn.

[2naSalit]

6. K&R