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Why Expanded Covid-19 Testing in California Won’t Fix Everything Why Expanded Covid-19 Testing in California Won’t Fix Everything
(1 day later)
Good morning.Good morning.
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Over the last few months the drumbeat has been steady: We need more testing capacity, leaders in California and across the nation have said. It will help public health officials better understand where Covid-19 outbreaks are happening. And that, in turn, will help determine when to reopen businesses and public spaces.Over the last few months the drumbeat has been steady: We need more testing capacity, leaders in California and across the nation have said. It will help public health officials better understand where Covid-19 outbreaks are happening. And that, in turn, will help determine when to reopen businesses and public spaces.
Recently, the mayors of Los Angeles and San Francisco both announced, with some fanfare, that the cities were offering testing to anyone, regardless of whether they have Covid-19 symptoms.Recently, the mayors of Los Angeles and San Francisco both announced, with some fanfare, that the cities were offering testing to anyone, regardless of whether they have Covid-19 symptoms.
[Track every coronavirus case in California by county.][Track every coronavirus case in California by county.]
Last week, my colleague Brian X. Chen reported that in San Francisco, at least, that wasn’t strictly true; the tests were still supposed to be for essential workers and people with symptoms.Last week, my colleague Brian X. Chen reported that in San Francisco, at least, that wasn’t strictly true; the tests were still supposed to be for essential workers and people with symptoms.
A few readers emailed us with similar questions about Los Angeles, where I live. It was something I’d been wondering about, too.A few readers emailed us with similar questions about Los Angeles, where I live. It was something I’d been wondering about, too.
So this week, I asked Los Angeles city and county officials about whether people who don’t have symptoms and aren’t essential workers should sign up to get tested.So this week, I asked Los Angeles city and county officials about whether people who don’t have symptoms and aren’t essential workers should sign up to get tested.
The answer here wasn’t quite straightforward either.The answer here wasn’t quite straightforward either.
It is true that anyone who lives in Los Angeles County can make an appointment to be tested, regardless of symptoms.It is true that anyone who lives in Los Angeles County can make an appointment to be tested, regardless of symptoms.
However, if you don’t have symptoms and you’re not an essential worker, you’ll be directed to one of 10 city-run testing sites. Next-day appointments will be prioritized for people with symptoms, essential workers and others who are at higher risk.However, if you don’t have symptoms and you’re not an essential worker, you’ll be directed to one of 10 city-run testing sites. Next-day appointments will be prioritized for people with symptoms, essential workers and others who are at higher risk.
“Testing is critical to fighting this virus and saving lives,” Andrea Garcia, spokeswoman for Mayor Eric Garcetti, said in an emailed statement. “The mayor took action to become the first big city in the country to offer free testing to anyone who wants it, so that more people in L.A. and surrounding communities could better protect their own well-being, and the health of the people around them.”“Testing is critical to fighting this virus and saving lives,” Andrea Garcia, spokeswoman for Mayor Eric Garcetti, said in an emailed statement. “The mayor took action to become the first big city in the country to offer free testing to anyone who wants it, so that more people in L.A. and surrounding communities could better protect their own well-being, and the health of the people around them.”
She said the city and county had the capacity to test up to 21,000 people per day.She said the city and county had the capacity to test up to 21,000 people per day.
Tests at 27 county-run sites are allotted based on state guidelines that lay out which groups should get priority, such as people who work at skilled nursing facilities or hospitals.Tests at 27 county-run sites are allotted based on state guidelines that lay out which groups should get priority, such as people who work at skilled nursing facilities or hospitals.
Still, Dr. Christina Ghaly, the county’s director of health services, told me that just because any Los Angeles County resident can sign up to be tested, it doesn’t mean they should.Still, Dr. Christina Ghaly, the county’s director of health services, told me that just because any Los Angeles County resident can sign up to be tested, it doesn’t mean they should.
“It doesn’t provide information that would be actionable,” she said. “It’s just providing interesting information and potentially false reassurance.”“It doesn’t provide information that would be actionable,” she said. “It’s just providing interesting information and potentially false reassurance.”
Dr. Ghaly emphasized that test results could take a few days to be returned — time during which someone could become infected. Tests could turn up false negative results, or the virus simply could fail to show up.Dr. Ghaly emphasized that test results could take a few days to be returned — time during which someone could become infected. Tests could turn up false negative results, or the virus simply could fail to show up.
[Read more about California’s testing expansion.][Read more about California’s testing expansion.]
That’s why, she said, it’s critical that people who are asymptomatic don’t simply seek out a test that, if negative, might lead them to be less vigilant about wearing a mask or maintaining their distance from others.That’s why, she said, it’s critical that people who are asymptomatic don’t simply seek out a test that, if negative, might lead them to be less vigilant about wearing a mask or maintaining their distance from others.
Nevertheless, she said, “I do believe more testing is needed broadly, but it needs to be a high value test.”Nevertheless, she said, “I do believe more testing is needed broadly, but it needs to be a high value test.”
That means they’re being used to identify outbreaks in higher risk environments, like nursing homes — not just to momentarily reassure people who aren’t at particularly high risk anyway.That means they’re being used to identify outbreaks in higher risk environments, like nursing homes — not just to momentarily reassure people who aren’t at particularly high risk anyway.
In any case, if you’re a Los Angeles resident and considering getting tested, first try talking to your regular health care provider, if you have one. Then go to the city and county’s website to make an appointment. There are also resources for front-line workers.In any case, if you’re a Los Angeles resident and considering getting tested, first try talking to your regular health care provider, if you have one. Then go to the city and county’s website to make an appointment. There are also resources for front-line workers.
Updated August 24, 2020 Updated August 27, 2020
We often link to sites that limit access for nonsubscribers. We appreciate your reading Times coverage, but we also encourage you to support local news if you can.We often link to sites that limit access for nonsubscribers. We appreciate your reading Times coverage, but we also encourage you to support local news if you can.
The U.S. Department of Justice warned Gov. Gavin Newsom that the state’s stay-at-home orders have discriminated against houses of worship. [Reuters]The U.S. Department of Justice warned Gov. Gavin Newsom that the state’s stay-at-home orders have discriminated against houses of worship. [Reuters]
Los Angeles County leaders aim to have stores, restaurants and malls open by July 4. But, the county’s public health director said, “We have to do a lot of things right.” [The Los Angeles Times]Los Angeles County leaders aim to have stores, restaurants and malls open by July 4. But, the county’s public health director said, “We have to do a lot of things right.” [The Los Angeles Times]
An analysis found that more than 40 percent of California’s counties don’t meet the state’s contact-tracing standards to reopen. [The Desert Sun]An analysis found that more than 40 percent of California’s counties don’t meet the state’s contact-tracing standards to reopen. [The Desert Sun]
Long Beach is moving forward with a plan to close streets and open parking lots for outdoor restaurant dining while practicing distancing. [ABC 7]Long Beach is moving forward with a plan to close streets and open parking lots for outdoor restaurant dining while practicing distancing. [ABC 7]
And here’s everything you need to know about California’s gradual, complex reopening process. [The New York Times]And here’s everything you need to know about California’s gradual, complex reopening process. [The New York Times]
If you have some time, this long read digs into how the Bay Area’s unprecedented shelter-in-place order came about — and why shutting down New York came later. [ProPublica]If you have some time, this long read digs into how the Bay Area’s unprecedented shelter-in-place order came about — and why shutting down New York came later. [ProPublica]
And, if you missed it, experts gave California leaders early praise for saving lives. [The New York Times]And, if you missed it, experts gave California leaders early praise for saving lives. [The New York Times]
The Oakland A’s have not paid their $1.2 million April rent for the Coliseum. [The Mercury News]The Oakland A’s have not paid their $1.2 million April rent for the Coliseum. [The Mercury News]
The Academy is weighing postponing next year's Oscars. The coronavirus pandemic has already prompted Oscar eligibility changes. [Variety]The Academy is weighing postponing next year's Oscars. The coronavirus pandemic has already prompted Oscar eligibility changes. [Variety]
Usually dolphins stay in a core family group of 20 to 50. But sometimes they come together to form a mega pod. One of those, with more than 1,000 dolphins, was spotted off Laguna Beach — and they didn’t get the social-distancing memo. [The Orange County Register]Usually dolphins stay in a core family group of 20 to 50. But sometimes they come together to form a mega pod. One of those, with more than 1,000 dolphins, was spotted off Laguna Beach — and they didn’t get the social-distancing memo. [The Orange County Register]
It’s a boom time for recommendations.It’s a boom time for recommendations.
Right now, sharing things you’re enjoying — books, movies, music, music videos, TV shows, recipes, gardening tips, takeout spots, walking routes, etc. — feels like a way to connect with friends and loved ones when you can’t share experiences in person.Right now, sharing things you’re enjoying — books, movies, music, music videos, TV shows, recipes, gardening tips, takeout spots, walking routes, etc. — feels like a way to connect with friends and loved ones when you can’t share experiences in person.
My colleagues have you covered on many of those fronts.My colleagues have you covered on many of those fronts.
I will also now suggest that you read (and then take) this advice from Phoebe Bridgers, the Los Angeles singer and songwriter who, as part of NPR’s Daily Breather series, recommended sending that text or making that call you’ve been putting off for no real reason.I will also now suggest that you read (and then take) this advice from Phoebe Bridgers, the Los Angeles singer and songwriter who, as part of NPR’s Daily Breather series, recommended sending that text or making that call you’ve been putting off for no real reason.
She made a playlist for the occasion. And she threw in a new song, from her second album, “Punisher,” coming out in June.She made a playlist for the occasion. And she threw in a new song, from her second album, “Punisher,” coming out in June.
I’m going to text the link to a friend of mine who I know will appreciate it — as soon as I’m done writing this email to you.I’m going to text the link to a friend of mine who I know will appreciate it — as soon as I’m done writing this email to you.
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Jill Cowan grew up in Orange County, went to school at U.C. Berkeley and has reported all over the state, including the Bay Area, Bakersfield and Los Angeles — but she always wants to see more. Follow along here or on Twitter.Jill Cowan grew up in Orange County, went to school at U.C. Berkeley and has reported all over the state, including the Bay Area, Bakersfield and Los Angeles — but she always wants to see more. Follow along here or on Twitter.
California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley.California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley.