Protests can spread virus in US
LENA H. SUN
THE director of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told a House panel on Thursday that demonstrators protesting against racial injustice needed to be tested for the coronavirus and that crowds at a Missouri tourist hot spot and the Spacex launch showed that public health messages on masks and physical distancing were not resonating with the public.
Referring to mass protests against police violence that have taken place throughout the country, CDC director Robert Redfield said demonstrators in regions that have not yet controlled the outbreak should “highly consider” getting tested.
He noted that Minneapolis and the District of Columbia were two metropolitan areas where significant transmission of the virus was still taking place. The protests were sparked by the death of George Floyd, a Minneapolis man whose neck was pinned to the ground by a police officer.
“I do think there is a potential, unfortunately, for this to be a seeding event,” Redfield said. “And the way to minimise it is to have each individual to recognise it’s to the advantage of them to protect their loved ones to (say), ‘Hey, I was out. I need to go get tested.’ You know, in three, five, seven days, go get tested. Make sure you’re not infected.”
Redfield was testifying at a House appropriations subcommittee hearing on his agency’s response to Covid-19. Health experts are concerned about any large gatherings in a close space that can make it easier to spread Covid-19.
Representative Mark Pocan said he was concerned that the use of chemical agents, which law enforcement officials have deployed against protesters in several cities, including the district, could cause people to cough and spread the virus.
“Definitely, coughing can spread respiratory viruses, including Covid19,” Redfield said.
Pocan asked whether the CDC chief had advised President Donald Trump or worked with law enforcement to discontinue use of chemical agents.
“I think you raised an important point,” Redfield said. “We have advocated strongly the ability to have face coverings and masks available to protesters so that they can at least have those coverings… I’d like to pass on this comment to the next (coronavirus) task force meeting.”
Redfield shook his head when shown photographs of crowds at the recent Spacex launch in Florida and vacationers packed into resort pools and outdoor bars at the Lake of the Ozarks over the Memorial Day weekend, flouting social distancing guidelines.
“We’re very concerned that our public health message isn’t resonating,” Redfield said.
Redfield also addressed criticism that the agency’s lack of data on racial disparities has hampered the public health response in black and Latino communities disproportionately affected by the virus.
“I want to personally apologise for the inadequacy of our response.”
Redfield said the CDC had been hindered by the lack of data reported by states. But all Covid-19 laboratory tests reported to the CDC will be required, starting August 1, to include additional racial and ethnic information, federal health officials announced Thursday.
Representative Rosa Delauro, who chairs the subcommittee that funds the health, labour and education departments, hammered Redfield for allowing the CDC to be marginalised in the coronavirus response.
“I want you to be science-driven, but by God, I do not want your science and your health experts to be challenged by people who do not know either science or public health,” she said, referring to White House officials.
“Don’t be afraid. Stand up. Talk about what your scientists do… And I will tell you that we will provide the resources that you need to do your job,” she said. | The Washington Post