A quick reminder that no matter what gets said at new conferences, things like “we are going to test X amount of people” involves logistics of actually getting X number of people tested.
A website set up by Los Angeles for residents to get tested for the coronavirus, regardless of whether they have symptoms, encountered some problems after a countywide testing initiative began last week.
Some Angelenos complained on social media that there were no time slots available on the website, which states that testing is available by appointment only, with priority given to front-line workers and people with symptoms of Covid-19, the illness caused by the virus. The tests are free for all residents of Los Angeles County, which is collaborating with the city on the effort.
Other people said that they were unable to access the website, which requires visitors to give their name, address, date of birth, gender and race or ethnicity on an intake form.
“If testing slots are booked when you visit the site, we encourage you to revisit the site later in the day for slots that may have reopened due to no shows,” the city said in a Twitter post on Saturday night.
The website experienced a surge in visitors in recent days after Mayor Eric Garcetti declared last week that Los Angeles would become the first major U.S. city to offer all residents tests for the virus, which health officials said on Sunday had caused 1,229 deaths in Los Angeles County.
Mr. Garcetti said on Friday that he was very confident of the ability of the website to keep up with the demand for tests.
During his daily briefing on Friday, he said that health officials were reserving time slots for front-line workers and people with symptoms. As the day goes on, he said, spaces open up because of no-shows or fewer requests for appointments.
Huge testing is necessary for reopening and that is something that seems very far away because Americans are not good at the hard and unpleasant logistics of testing and contact tracing.
I think we are probably going to “reopen” sooner rather than later but not because the virus dies down or we get contact tracing and mass testing done but because the lockdown grows wearisome, the weather is getting nice, etc. Fred Clark put it best on Saturday:
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/2020/05/02/this-wont-end-well/
I think for offices to reopen in California, CAL-Osha is demanding fever checks out doors like they do in South Korea. I don’t know how long Americans can put up with that. Who is supposed to pay for it in multi-tenant buildings, etc.Report
I dunno… greater NYC seems to have just gotten broader testing for both the virus and antibodies. I got the latter for myself at an urgent care chain and my sons can get it done at their pede. And when I went to Ben and Jerry’s for ice cream, they asked me to voluntarily sign in with my name, time of visit, and contact info, to support any potential contact tracing.Report
SMASH THE FASH!
Report
Years from now, banknotes will feature engravings of the uprising of The People, storming the beach to resist the cruel tyranny which sought to
*checks notes*
prevent them from dying of the plague.Report
It is good to see free Americans resist tyranny.Report
Aux armes, citoyens!
Draw the blood of [security guard] who seeks to enslave us by [asking us to wear a mask]
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/04/us/michigan-security-guard-mask-killin
Such heroism!
Much bravery!
I’m sure the hearts of patriots swell with pride knowing this cruel and vicious tryant lies dead tonight, and The People are once again free to grab their Doritos and Mountain Dew.Report
+1Report
Goes to a missing page…
But it must really kill you to see people think for themselves…Report
Oh, here’s another free thinking patriot:
Colorado man planning armed protest against state’s coronavirus restrictions arrested for pipe bombs
https://abcnews.go.com/US/colorado-man-planning-armed-protest-states-coronavirus-restrictions/story?id=70491370
Yeah, man, watering the tree of liberty with the blood of American citizens is a small price to pay for the right to go to Applebees and have onion rings.Report
Yes, we shall keep the boot on the peoples faces!
I bet “antifa” is so jelous…Report
Looks like this link got cut off – try here: https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/04/us/michigan-security-guard-mask-killing-trnd/index.htmlReport