Don’t Test, Don’t Tell

February 27, 2020 | Ben Hunt | 25 Comments |

I want to highlight a couple of quotes from this email.

Since the patient did not fit the existing CDC criteria for COVID-19, a test was not immediately administered. UC Davis Health does not control the testing process.

The facts here are pretty clear. Patient comes in from another hospital on Wednesday, Feb. 19 - this is one week ago - already intubated and on a ventilator, and the doctors at UC Davis - who have treated other COVID-19 cases - IMMEDIATELY suspect COVID-19.

But the CDC refuses to test for COVID-19.

Why? Because it didn't fit their "criteria" for testing. They didn't know for sure that the patient was in mainland China within the past 14 days, and they didn't know for sure that the patient was in close contact with another confirmed case, so BY DEFINITION this patient can't possibly have COVID-19. No test for you!

This is "Don't Test, Don't Tell" and it is the single most incompetent, corrupt public health policy of my lifetime.

And it's happening all over the country.

Here, take a look at yesterday's press conference from Nassau County, Long Island.


Want to continue reading this and the other 1,500+ essays you won't find anywhere else?

$200 Per Year

$20 Per Month

Professional

Already a subscriber? log in here

To learn more about Epsilon Theory and be notified when we release new content sign up here. You’ll receive an email every week and your information will never be shared with anyone else.

Comments

  1. Can you please make this into a .pdf. I’ve been sharing these with my “pack”… Thank you!

  2. “When it becomes serious, you have to lie.” ~ Jean-Claude Juncker, former President of the European Commission, May 2011

  3. Agreed! We need more of these in PDF. They just don’t print well.

  4. Could it be there is a shortage of test kits and the criteria are a rationing mechanism?

  5. Ben, what changes have you made, if any, in your personal life in response to this? Do you think domestic travel limitations make sense in the US?

  6. Killer Math: CA’s governor just announced the state is “monitoring” 8,400 patients for potential CoVid-19 infection and has only 200 test kits. (source ft.com)

    Whee!

  7. Avatar for bhunt bhunt says:

    Yep! It’s up now.

  8. Avatar for bhunt bhunt says:

    I think there’s a shortage of test kits in the US from sheer incompetence, but the criteria are the result of an entirely different sort of sheer incompetence.

  9. Avatar for hhong hhong says:

    You’re exactly right. Same thing happening in Canada right now. Same attitude/approach during SARS. I was a physician during SARS in Toronto at the time. Nothing has changed at all, unfortunately. Only a singular ability to avoid any introspection by the respective public health/government officials who are in charge of coordinating a rational response… Thanks for writing this entire series.

  10. After watching Little Hands Wednesday night, I was apprehensive as to the market’s response today. Appropriately so. But, his grasp of the situation is typical of his grasp - or is that what the market is telling us?

Continue the discussion at the Epsilon Theory Forum

15 more replies

Participants

Avatar for bhunt Avatar for rguinn Avatar for 010101 Avatar for bconn73 Avatar for quickxotica Avatar for hhong Avatar for Barry.Rose Avatar for ebogan13 Avatar for pcoicou Avatar for william.hobi Avatar for cartoox Avatar for captalan330 Avatar for casataylor5 Avatar for Mourad_Rahmanov Avatar for bdoran10gmail-com Avatar for der84 Avatar for immanuelcan Avatar for birdman1001

The Latest From Epsilon Theory

godfather 3 sidelook 4-3

Our True Enemy Has Yet to Reveal Himself

By Ben Hunt |
sell it all new 4-3 gold text 4-3

Wall Street’s Not-So-Golden Rule

By Ben Hunt |
Annie Hall Duane 4-3

Crashing the Car of Pax Americana

By Ben Hunt |
tariffs-boris

Narrative Shopping

By Rusty Guinn |
goldstein-machine

The Goldstein Machine

By Rusty Guinn |
hayek 11 4-3

It Was Never Going To Be Me

By Ben Hunt |
four horsemen Vasnetsov 4-3 small

The Four Horsemen of the Great Ravine, Part 1

By Ben Hunt |
i-nazgul

I, Nazgûl

By Rusty Guinn |
apocalypse-always-4x3-1

Apocalypse Always

By Rusty Guinn |
gladiator-hand-wheat (1) 4-3 small

Remembering the Face of Your Father

By Ben Hunt |
DISCLOSURES
This commentary is being provided to you as general information only and should not be taken as investment advice. The opinions expressed in these materials represent the personal views of the author(s). It is not investment research or a research recommendation, as it does not constitute substantive research or analysis. Any action that you take as a result of information contained in this document is ultimately your responsibility. Epsilon Theory will not accept liability for any loss or damage, including without limitation to any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from use of or reliance on such information. Consult your investment advisor before making any investment decisions. It must be noted, that no one can accurately predict the future of the market with certainty or guarantee future investment performance. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Statements in this communication are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and other views expressed herein are as of the date of this publication. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, and there is no guarantee that any predictions will come to pass. The views expressed herein are subject to change at any time, due to numerous market and other factors. Epsilon Theory disclaims any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or views expressed herein. This information is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities. This commentary has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it. Epsilon Theory recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments and strategies, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a financial advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives.