Playing Catchup on COVID

Scientists are testing new antiviral drugs, but they won’t be ready in time for the current wave of cases

- JENNI FINK

COVID-19 INFECTIONS HAVE SOARED IN RED states, where many governors have fought mask mandates and anti-vaccine sentiment runs high. The latest political battle is being fought over medicines used to treat the thousands of patients who are crowding emergency rooms and intensive care units.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis attributes a 60-percent reduction in COVID-19 hospital admissions to the success of monoclonal antibodies, an antiviral treatment for people who are considered high risk for severe illness. People have been flocking to the treatment since states expanded access and significant increases in orders were seen in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and other states with low vaccination rates—only seven states account for 70 percent of orders. To stave off a potential shortage, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) put a temporary limit on the amount providers could order.

That prompted DeSantis to rip into President Joe Biden for restricting his state’s access to the drugs. The White House says it is merely concerned with distributing the drugs equitably among the states that need them. Biden accused DeSantis of “playing politics” with public safety.