Friday, July 31, 2020

The kind of testing we need


I went and got tested at one of the many free, drive-through, city-run, partnership testing centers. How great to be in a city where tests are free and available to all. Thanks, Mayor Lightfoot, for your leadership on this front and for making sure that the city has enough test kits.  

It was an easy process -- mouth swab instead of nasal poke -- without a doctor's prescription. The last point is important since so many people lack health insurance and can't afford to see a doctor. If there was ever a case to be made for Medicare For All, this horrific pandemic makes the case.

The best part was getting my negative (no COVID) test results back within 48 hours. The private clinics and testing sites offered 5-7 day returns.

You will rarely hear me say this, but Bill Gates is right on this one. Most U.S. coronavirus tests are a “complete waste” because it takes so long to get results in time for people to self-isolate once they find out they have the virus. 

It's borderline criminal... that both presidential candidates, as well as the leadership of our teacher unions, stand opposed to MFA even as reported U.S. COVID-19 cases top 4.5M and with deaths exceeding 154,000. Why are Democrats and some union leaders so wedded to job-based insurance at a time of record-high unemployment?

A Medicare for All amendment advanced in the DNC's platform committee by Bernie Sanders supporters was rejected overwhelmingly on Monday, garnering just 36 “yes,” versus 125 “no,” votes from a committee dominated by Biden backers. Proposals to lower the Medicare eligibility age and expand access for children were also rejected.

Wow!

But some delegates who support Medicare for All aren’t satisfied. As of Monday afternoon, more than 600 delegates had signed onto a pledge to vote against the party platform if it doesn’t support a Medicare for All system.

1 comment:

  1. Wow! You got your results back in 48 hours? That is awesome. It's taking 5 days where I'm at. We have to do something. We currently are just doing nothing. Why not give MFA a try. Thanks for sharing.

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