HHS Spox Reaffirms New Testing Guidelines After Outcry
Doctors and Scientific Community Demand Full Reversal of Testing Guidance Change
In the days following the CDC’s shocking announcement of changed testing guidelines which scaled back testing for asymptomatic individuals, doctors and experts – including leading professional associations – are condemning the move and calling for its reversal.
Today, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Michael Caputo confirmed that there would be no reversal to the baseless changes.
In response, Protect Our Care’s Coronavirus War Room Director Zac Petkanas released the following statement:
“Despite the widespread backlash, the Trump Administration is doubling down on its politically-motivated decision to scale back testing during a time when we should be ramping things up.
“Instead of closing ranks, they need to be listening to the experts and medical professionals across the country who are calling this dramatic change out for what it is: a travesty that will get people killed.
“Unfortunately, today’s statements only reinforce the fact that Donald Trump will continue meddling with independent agencies that the American people should be able to rely on if he thinks it will help him politically.
“The CDC Director needs to stand up for science and facts against Trump’s lies and political agenda. He needs to stand with experts across the country calling for a full reversal of these guidelines — or get out of the way for someone who has the spinal cord we need during this time of crisis.”
The medical community across the country is calling for a reversal of the CDC’s change in testing guidelines:
The American Medical Association Issued A Statement Warning That Not Testing Asymptomatic People Was “A Recipe For Community Spread And More Spikes.”
- “Months into this pandemic, we know COVID-19 is spread by asymptomatic people. Suggesting that people without symptoms, who have known exposure to COVID-positive individuals, do not need testing is a recipe for community spread and more spikes in coronavirus.” [AMA statement on CDC changes to COVID-19 testing guidance, 8/26/20]
The Infectious Diseases Society Of America And HIV Medicine Association Issued A Joint Statement Calling For Immediate Reversal Of The New CDC Testing Guidelines.
- “IDSA and HIVMA call for the immediate reversal of the abrupt revision of the CDC COVID-19 testing guidelines which diminish the importance of testing asymptomatic individuals who were exposed to COVID-19. The revision is concerning, particularly as the United States continues to lead the world in confirmed cases and deaths, with more than 5.8 million cases and nearly 180,000 lives lost to the virus.” [IDSA/HIVMA Statement on Changes to CDC Guidance, 8/26/20]
The Association For American Medical Colleges Issued A Statement Calling For Reversal Of The New CDC Testing Guidelines.
- “These CDC guidelines go against the best interests of the American people and are a step backward in fighting the pandemic. The AAMC urges the CDC to return to its earlier testing recommendations, and we stand ready to discuss and work with our colleagues at the CDC to optimize future recommendations.” [AAMC Statement on Revised CDC Guidelines for COVID-19 Testing, 8/26/20]