Short Wave The Controversy Around COVID-19 Hospital Data
Jul 28, 2020
Ping Huang, NPR's global health and development reporter, dives into the contentious world of COVID-19 hospital data. She explains how recent changes in data reporting, initiated by the Trump administration, bypassed the CDC, raising alarms about public health transparency. Huang discusses the implications of reduced oversight and the concerns of health experts regarding data accuracy amidst political influences. This conversation emphasizes the critical role of objective reporting in shaping pandemic responses.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
COVID-19 Data Reporting Change
- The Trump administration abruptly changed how hospitals report COVID-19 data, bypassing the CDC.
- This raised concerns among health experts about political interference with scientific data.
CDC's Perspective
- CDC officials disagree on the new reporting system's effectiveness.
- Dr. Daniel Pollack claims the CDC system wasn't slow and had established relationships with hospitals.
Timing Concerns
- Experts criticize the timing of the data reporting change, saying changes during a pandemic are disruptive.
- Dr. Georges Benjamin emphasizes the importance of consistent processes during health emergencies.