Source: Financial Times (FT): Elon Musk promised ventilators. These are BPAP machines.
Some of you might have noticed that we recently started a series called Corona Tools, in honour of those who are really standing out from the crowd during this crisis. But we needn’t have bothered, really. Because one man is fast emerging from this virus as the Corona Super Tool, leaving all the others in the (space) dust.
Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Elon Musk.
More from the FT
Source: Twitter – https://twitter.com/EpsilonTheory/status/1233493869158961154
Epsilon Theory: https://www.epsilontheory.com/
Dr. Ben Hunt (more on him below) has released a scathing article criticizing the U.S. policy of “don’t test, don’t tell.”
While not official, it is an apt description of American actions driven by confusion, incompetence, or worse.
It’s not that testing is not available.
Dr. Ben Hunt, Don’t Test Don’t Tell
It’s that testing is not ALLOWED.
Don’t Test, Don’t Tell is not just hiding the true extent of COVID-19 cases in the United States.
Dr. Ben Hunt, Don’t Test Don’t Tell
Don’t Test, Don’t Tell is not just perpetuating the politically corrupt “Yay, Containment!” narrative of this White House.
Don’t Test, Don’t Tell is endangering the lives of our doctors and nurses.
Dr. Ben Hunt has a background that includes teaching political science for a decade, managing billions on Wall Street, and much more. Read Ben’s bio for more.
Source: Matthew Stoller, Author, “Goliath: The Hundred Year War Between Monopoly Power and Democracy,” Research Director at American Economic Liberties Project.
and Hedge Fund Manager Dan McMurtrie
Sometimes, the best things in life are free. That may be the case for some prepared Americans, provided you’re covered by insurance and able to get an affordable supply of critical prescriptions before potential disruptions. According to Matthew (read more here):
1. The coronovirus supply chain risk is vastly underplayed. I am getting emails from people who manage supply chains telling me what is happening. I put one of them at the bottom of this piece. It's bad. https://t.co/I1JuRiGHfI https://t.co/mZWoE7D43H
— Matt Stoller (@matthewstoller) February 20, 2020
Hopefully insurance companies are able to adapt to the quickly evolving virus. According to PharmaNews on February 18, 2020 – CMS announced last week that they developed a new billing code for providers and laboratories to test patients for the coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2.
This may help prevent disasters similar to that of a Miami man who was billed over $3,000 for a WuFlu “Corona Virus” test despite having just returned from China:
The full article in the Miami Herald, since revised (to help reduce panic), was captured by Clear Health Costs among other outlets.
Source: United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Link (PDF): https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/pdfs/FacialHairWmask11282017-508.pdf
The CDC has offered illustrated guidance on how to best manage facial hair while wearing a facial or “facepiece” respirator. Should you find yourself in isolation or quarantine, remember to ditch the stubble or beard when wearing a mask in public!
Source: United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html
According to the official CDC website, last updated February 26, 2020:
CDC is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus. The outbreak first started in Wuhan, China, but cases have been identified in a growing number of other international locations, including the United States. This page will be updated regularly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
As of February 26th, 2020, the CDC has only tested 445 Americans since January 21st.
Those official figures represent about 15 tests per day. One cannot measure what isn’t tracked. As the experts say, continue to listen and remember this is a fluid situation that’s constantly changing (just like the virus).