It's not just up to the federal government; states need to respond to COVID-19, too. Yesterday, BIO testified before the Texas state legislature about coronavirus preparedness and how the state’s government and employers can ensure the safety of all Texans.
The hearing: The Texas House of Representatives Public Health Committee held a public hearing on March 10 on the state’s preparedness on the coronavirus.
Witnesses included public health, emergency response, and education leaders at the state and city level, health care and biomedical experts, hospitals and transportation planners…
And BIO, too—specifically, Amy Walker, BIO’s Senior Manager of Infectious Disease Policy, who spoke about the status of R&D for COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics, and how the public and private sectors can help.
The industry has accelerated research to develop products that are both “effective and safe”—thanks in part to the public-private partnership between government and industry.
And Texas has “a vital role in the research, testing, and manufacturing of these products,” she said. “A number of the biotechnology companies answering the call on COVID-19 have research and manufacturing facilities in the state. Texas’ academic institutions have laid the foundation for later stage work in partnership with biotechnology companies.”
But: “A robust R&D environment and ample funding is needed to bolster our current and future pandemic preparedness.”
Amy urged Texas officials to seek information from “trusted sources like the CDC and WHO” and companies to “take the proper steps to ensure the safety of their employees.”
Where to start? Check out BIO’s two information hubs:
Read more about the hearing in NPR Austin.
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