A Petition to Demand CDC use ALL the tools to beat SARS-CoV-2
We don’t accept constant infection
“We have more tools than ever to protect against serious COVID-19 disease and death, but we must make sure everyone has equitable access to those tools,” said Director Mandy Cohen, M.D., M.P.H., regarding the Bridge Access Program to safeguard Free C19 Vaccination for Uninsured and Underinsured Adults.
Dr. Cohen’s recent statement reflects our government’s sole focus on pharmaceutical interventions in mitigation, instead of embracing the layered approach.
In reality, we have abandoned “more tools than ever.” Masks, Air Purifiers, PCR Tests, Paid Sick Leave, Remote Working and Education about Long Covid are ALL effective mitigation tools. Unfortunately, the CDC’s public awareness campaign only focuses on vaccination.
As Dr. Cohen said, we need equitable access to tools, but not just vaccines and treatment. Shots and treatment don’t stop transmission. In general, pharmaceutical interventions are not applicable to everyone due to their immune systems and medical conditions. The layered approach is needed to ensure health equity.
Public health is about prevention
Just like the vaccines, treatment and tests require updating to target new variants and their effectiveness reduces as the virus rapidly mutates.
A real-world study published in JAMA Open Network found that Paxlovid is now less effective at preventing hospitalization or death in high-risk patients as compared to earlier studies. Read the article in Medscape.
COVID-19 has already killed millions and at least 65 million people have Long Covid around the world. Roughly ¾ of US adults are at high risk of severe Covid because of medical conditions, disabilities, racial discrimination, social disparities and environmental factors. That doesn’t even include children. COVID-19 is a leading cause of death and severe sickness in children. Long Haulers, disabled by organ damage and chronic symptoms, are also joining the high-risk community.
Prevention is always better than treatment
People who get Long COVID require comprehensive care and a complicated diagnostic process. But unlike other wealthy countries, the US doesn’t have safety nets or healthcare for all. Hospital and medication costs can make a person without adequate health insurance homeless. That’s one glaring reason why lack of prevention puts the most vulnerable people in great danger.
In July, 2023, our community posted their demands for Dr. Cohen on Facebook in over 100 comments. Together we created a petition to demand the CDC embrace ALL the tools. We are once again in another wave. It will take every one of us to move this mountain. Please add your name and share the petition.
Sign the Petition
