As White House puts responsibility for testing on states, U.S. PIRG calls for online #MoreTestsNow campaign

National health advocacy group asks Americans to show support for wider testing

U.S. PIRG

DENVER — U.S.PIRG is planning a social media day of action for Tuesday April 28, calling on President Donald Trump and Adm. Brett Giroir, the U.S. testing chief, to take charge of building a comprehensive testing infrastructure across the country. Citizens across the country are being asked to go on Facebook and Twitter to share the reasons why they want additional testing alongside the #MoreTestsNow hashtag.

“Public health experts say we need more tests now in order to be able to return to a normal society,” said Laura Deehan, Public Health Advocate for CALPIRG who is also working on U.S. PIRG’s testing efforts. “To make this happen, we need national leadership to help states and localities get the tests they need. That’s why were asking everybody to get on social media and let their friends — and leaders — know we must have #MoreTestsNow.” 

This effort comes on the heels of President Trump announcing a federal blueprint on testing. However, this blueprint puts the onus squarely on states to scale up testing. At the same time, governors are awaiting details on a commitment from the federal government on what resources they will provide to states to expand testing. 

“The federal government alone has the emergency powers to most efficiently ramp up test capacity,” Deehan said.  “Yet, there is still no clear leadership from the White House to do that.”