Money And Power Causing Disparity In U.S. Virus Testing?
GOLODRYGA: Need a coronavirus test? Well, being rich and famous may help. While everyday Americans face long lines and short supplies, some celebrities seem to have it easy, highlighting the divide between the haves and have-nots. CNN's Brian Todd reports.</s>BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: For some people, coronavirus test results come quickly.</s>TRUMP: You do a test, boom, and you have it in five minutes.</s>TODD: But experts worry that during this horrific spike in coronavirus cases, the effectiveness of testing is in some areas of the country a matter of the haves and have-nots.</s>DR. JEWELL MULLEN, ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR HEALTH EQUITY, DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL AT UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-AUSTIN: When you have resources, when you have power, when you have access, when your insurance is able to pay for it or you're able to pay out of pocket, it's much easier to get the testing that you need.</s>TODD: Early in the pandemic, it was reported that movie stars could dial up their so-called concierge doctors and get tested during a period when much of the country didn't have that access. In April, comedian and MMA commentator, Joe Rogan, was criticized when he revealed he'd been tested multiple times a week and got a friend tested, too.</s>JOE ROGAN, COMEDIAN, MMA COMMENTATOR: I've been tested twice already. Got tested yesterday and I got tested two days before that.</s>TODD: Months later, that same power dynamic is still at play, like with professional athletes. NFL, NBA players and others are being tested every day. Their results coming back within hours. While CNN has reported this week that some people, especially in communities of color, are waiting as long as three weeks to get test results back</s>MULLEN: Which means we're even farther behind in being able to minimize the impact with regard to disease and death in those communities.</s>TODD: Experts say Blacks and Latinos are not only more vulnerable to the virus, but also often have less insurance coverage, lower incomes, and less testing availability in their neighborhoods.</s>DR. ROCHELLE WALENSKY, CHIEF OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE, MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL: It does break my heart to see folks who are able to pay for these tests and pay to get them quickly, have rapid access, rapid turnaround, and yet, the most vulnerable communities who are the ones who are suffering are the ones waiting 14 days. And, in fact, maybe the ones that are transmitting in the interim.</s>MULLEN: Good afternoon, everyone.</s>TODD: Dr. Jewel Mullen's case illustrates sometimes it's not only a matter of who you know, but where you go. Mullen and her husband Herb Knight, both doctors, had to get tested recently in Connecticut. She went to a prestigious hospital and got her results back in eight hours. But as for her husband --</s>MULLEN: My husband went to a drive thru at one of our local pharmacies and it took him nine days to find out that his test was negative.</s>TODD: Experts say, given the disparity, it's time for new guidelines from the federal government on down to move only symptomatic people and those most at risk to the front of the testing line.</s>MULLEN: Given the inequities that we're talking about, yes, we need to take into consideration who's most vulnerable and make sure that we prioritize the testing that's being done there.</s>TODD (on camera): Some cities and states are ramping up their testing for underserved communities. In Boston, mobile testing labs will soon be moving throughout the city. And in Philadelphia, at the start of the pandemic, one doctor, rented a van and moved through predominantly black neighborhoods giving free tests. But experts say, even in areas where tests are being ramped up, there are still way too many delays in getting test results back. Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.</s>GOLODRYGA: Interestingly enough, the president was asked about celebrities getting access to testing back to March and he said it shouldn't happen, but, quote, "perhaps that's been the story of life." Coming up, the president makes a series of head-snapping reversals on the coronavirus surges and his poll numbers sink.