Viewpoints: Bring Back Science Trump Took Away From Advisory Committees; Create A Real Vaccination Plan

Stat: Axing Federal Scientific Advisory Committees Was A Big Mistake 
In a move touted as “improving the utility of federal advisory committees,” President Trump signed Executive Order 13875 in June, requiring all federal agencies to reduce the number of their advisory committees by no less than one-third. By doing so he continued to diminish the role of science in government. (Melissa J. Perry, 1/11)

Boston Globe: America Needs An Immediate Vaccination Plan
The COVID-19 pandemic is the worst health care crisis in a century. In my 43 years as a primary care physician, I have never faced the challenges I face today. Overseeing a practice of nine providers with 10,000 patients and with more than two-thirds of my panel of about 1,800 patients at high risk for contracting COVID-19, I am confronted on a daily basis with unrelenting questions and demands for a plan to provide a vaccine to our anxious patients. Yet due to disorganization and politics in Washington and the seemingly dilatory approach of local government and health care leaders, I have nothing to offer those who have relied on me for guidance and care. My gratitude is boundless to my colleagues on the front lines of this public health crisis. Medical workers have been working tirelessly through the worst of this pandemic. I am in awe of the commitment in creating a vaccine at lightning speed by people in biopharma. Now it’s on public health agencies to make good on the promise to meet the demand and distribute the vaccine as quickly and efficaciously as I know we can. (Martin P. Solomon, 1/11)

USA Today: With COVID-19 Vaccinations Behind Schedule, Here's What US Must Do Now
The news media is filled with articles regarding the new United Kingdom coronavirus mutation, which modeling has shown to be 56% more infectious. This mutation appears to be widespread in the United States, possibly emerging as early as October and now is spreading in multiple states. Similar to the original virus, this one has spread undetected because of inadequate testing. The United States is not leading but is 43rd in the world for genetic sequencing to detect new strains of the virus. Too few of us comprehend that the devastation a virus inflicts on society is dependent upon both the virus’ infectivity along with its case fatality rate. Some epidemiologists theorize viruses with high case fatality rates may even do less damage to society because the virus’ ability to spread tends to decrease. Thus, the increase in the ability of this virus to spread is of utmost concern and testing is of paramount importance. (Kevin Kavanagh, 1/9)

Charlotte Observer: N.C.’s Vaccine Rollout Has Been Bumpy. The State Needs To Step Up
The push to develop vaccines for COVID-19 was called Operation Warp Speed, but the delivery of two vaccines approved so far might be called Operation Hurry Up and Wait. The delay is especially pronounced in North Carolina, which late last week ranked 42nd in the nation in the percentage of its available vaccines that has been administered: 21.5 percent. Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services, said Friday that the rankings fluctuate daily because many state rates are closely bunched. But she said North Carolina’s performance is improving. “The rate of vaccinations has really picked up,” she said. Much of the blame for the bumpy start belongs to those who allowed the pandemic to explode — President Trump and his senior officials. (1/10)

Des Moines Register: Speed Up COVID-19 Vaccinations: Treat Them As An Emergency
Each day more and more Iowans are reported dead because of the coronavirus. It seems we have ceased being alarmed at the deaths of our friends, loved ones and neighbors. If our daily death tolls took place in bus rollovers, they would be on the news playing over and over while we assess how that could possibly happen and how we can prevent it from happening again. But COVID-19 is old news. After all, we have dutifully stayed at home. On rare occasions when necessary to leave our home, masks and social distancing have been recommended. Our hands have never been so clean. (Patty Judge, 1/11)

Los Angeles Times: Take Wealth And Race Out Of COVID-19 Care Pecking Order
(Editor’s note: Los Angeles County hospitals are so overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients that they are developing triage plans to determine whom to treat and whom to let die. The Times wrote in April about this nightmare scenario, and the right way — and the many wrong ways — to ration emergency treatment. Here is that editorial.) “Our society faces momentous decisions,” the chief of surgery explained to a young resident. “About terminal illness, prolonged coma, transplantation. Decisions about life and death. But society isn’t deciding. Congress isn’t deciding. The courts aren’t deciding. Religion isn’t deciding. Why? Because society is leaving it up to us, the experts. The doctors.” (1/8)

Miami Herald: DeSantis Denies Essential Employees The COVID Vaccine While His Policies Force Them To Work
Florida’s healthcare workers who are on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 have been among the first Floridians to get the vaccine. Senior citizens are especially vulnerable to this deadly virus, and they, too, are at the head of the line to get the shot. Gov. Ron DeSantis was right to make each group a priority. He was smart, too, to make hospitals the main channel of distribution. They have the personnel to deliver the vaccine and access to the targeted populations. And he has made clear that he wants to give more vaccine to those facilities that can scale up efficiently and effectively. Now, one of the most responsible things the governor can do is tell Floridians: Who’s next? (1/10)

Bloomberg: Pfizer Covid Vaccine: Israel Was The Perfect Test Case - Bloomberg
In just 21 days, Israel had inoculated 20% of its 9.3 million citizens and permanent residents and, even more significantly, 70% of its initial target group — medical personnel and people over 60 of age. These are astounding figures. The U.S. has managed to inoculate about 2% of its population. Germany, Italy and France have yet to reach 1% percent. (Zev Chafets, 1/10)

The Washington Post: The Anti-Vaxxers Are Determined To Sow Doubt. Here’s How To Build Faith Instead. 
Fifty-seven vials containing more than 500 doses of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine were removed from a pharmacy refrigerator by an employee in a Wisconsin medical center last month — inadvertently, officials said at first, and then they revised their statement. The act was intentional. The inoculations against the coronavirus rolling out around the country are the targets of intense disinformation campaigns that have spurred concerns about safety and efficacy, even among health-care workers. Leaders of long-standing anti-vaccine groups see this pivotal moment as a prime opportunity to leverage the rumor-mongering infrastructure they’ve built over the course of years. The Post reports that members of the National Vaccine Information Center are coordinating a “master narrative” that the virus isn’t a threat and that the safeguards against it are. (1/10)