Photograph by Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images
On Wednesday, Fulton County commissioners rejected a plan that would to build new isolation units for inmates who test positive for COVID-19. Here’s your Thursday morning update:
• As of publication time, a total of 48,894 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Georgia. 2,123 people have died. 574,400 tests (virus and antibody) have been conducted. A total of 8,419 of those tested were hospitalized at the time. [GA Dept. of Public Health]
• Fulton County commissioners rejected a plan that would to build new isolation units at the Rice Street and Union City jails to house inmates that contract COVID-19. The project would have used $23 million of Fulton’s $104 million CARES Act funding and, according to the AJC, “many commissioners said the plan was not a good enough return on the investment.” [AJC]
• As coronavirus spread throughout the United States, all eyes were upon the Atlanta-based CDC. But the government agency has sustained heavy criticism for its response. The New York Times took a deep dive into what went wrong at the CDC, including early testing failure, poor communication, outdated technology, and now, a lack of trust. From the article, which you can read in full here:
Located in Atlanta, the C.D.C. is encharged with protecting the nation against public health threats — from anthrax to obesity — and serving as the unassailable source of information about fighting them. Given its record and resources, the agency might have become the undisputed leader in the global fight against the virus.
Instead, the C.D.C. made missteps that undermined America’s response.
“Here is an agency that has been waiting its entire existence for this moment,” said Dr. Peter Lurie, a former associate commissioner at the Food and Drug Administration who for years worked closely with the C.D.C. “And then they flub it. It is very sad. That is what they were set up to do.” [NYT]
• Still concerned about going to the doctor or dentist? At this point, it comes down to a cost vs. benefit decision—if putting off a necessary medical procedure could lead to a worse outcome in the future, it may be best not to delay. If you’re concerned about COVID-19, call your doctor or dentist and ask about what safety precautions they’re taking. Wear a mask to your appointment, wash your hands, and practice social distancing as best you can. [AJC]
