Reps. Guthrie, Walden release report addressing possible second wave of pandemic

U.S. Reps. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Greg Walden (R-OR) finalized a report that provides recommendations for addressing a possible second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

The third and final installment of their report – called “Second Wave Preparedness Project” — focuses on recommendations related to the health care supply chain.

“During this pandemic, all Americans, especially our frontline health care workers, have experienced the consequences of depending too much on foreign nations to meet our health care supply chain needs. It’s clearer than ever we must make the necessary policy changes and investments to incentivize domestic manufacturing of critical pharmaceuticals and other products. To prepare for a potential ‘second wave’ of COVID-19 infections, we need to improve coordination and management of our Strategic National Stockpile while also supporting states to strengthen their own stockpiles. As we approach flu season, we should encourage all Americans to protect themselves from the flu by getting vaccinated, and we should make testing more efficient by having tests readily available that can determine if a patient has COVID-19 or the flu. Now is the time to figure out how to put us in the best position to fight the Invisible Enemy in the fall and winter months. That is what our Second Wave Preparedness Project aims to do, and we’re proud of the work that has gone into this project,” Guthrie and Walden said in a joint statement.

The first part of the report was on testing and surveillance, while the second part was on vaccine and therapeutic recommendations. The three parts of the report combined include a total of more than 100 recommendations for Congress, the Executive Branch, states, and other entities. The full report can be found on the House Republicans Energy & Commerce Committee website.