Oklahoma
State Senate
Senator Micheal Bergstrom
Senator Micheal Bergstrom
Senate
District 1
April
2, 2020
Capitol
Considerations by Senator Micheal Bergstrom
Looking
at the good news
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the bad news coming out about
COVID-19.
Not
enough tests. Not enough protective equipment. Not enough
ventilators, nurses, doctors. There’s just not enough.
So
maybe it’s time to talk about some good news.
While
the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to rise, I’ve seen
Oklahomans and Americans come together in ways we haven’t seen in
quite some time.
Families
and friends are checking on each other. Neighbors are buying each
other groceries. People are connecting remotely and being sincere
about their relationships. Who knew it would take social distancing
to bring us together?
In
case you missed them, I want to share some of the positive stories
I’ve recently seen that will bring you hope in this somewhat gloomy
time.
Abbott
– a medical device, diagnostic and pharmaceutical company – has
launched a molecular coronavirus test that can detect the virus in as
little as five minutes utilizing its ID NOW platform - a portable
instrument that can be deployed where testing is needed most. The
company will soon release the tests and ramp up manufacturing to
deliver 50,000 tests per day initially, then up to 5 million tests a
month.
Two
COVID-19 patients in New York City were treated with a new drug fast
tracked for HIV and breast cancer. They went from being on
ventilators in the ICU to the regular hospital in a matter of days.
While the drug has only been used in seven cases thus far, early
results are promising, and it could be a way to treat the disease.
At
the same time, a variety of existing medications are showing promise
in treating COVID-19. For example, hydroxychloroquine and its cousin,
chloroquine, have been around for as long as 70 years for use against
malaria, but now seem to be working when combined with antibiotics.
There’s
also good news on the vaccine front. Studies of the COVID-19 virus
chain show that it’s a stable RNA virus with only five variants,
meaning a vaccine could be very effective because the virus remains
consistent without constantly mutating.
Here
at home, an Oklahoma company is showing their innovative spirit to
help out during this time. Prairie Wolf Distillery in Guthrie changed
their formula to make hand sanitizers instead of the vodka and gin
that typically filled their lines. The company is donating the
sanitizer to first responders and selling the rest to the general
public at cost.
Our
schools are even joining in to help out during the virus crisis. Many
districts across the state have pooled classroom supplies like hand
sanitizers and disinfectant wipes to donate to hospitals who are low
on critical cleaning supplies. Now that’s the Oklahoma Standard!
We
will weather this storm and make it to the other side. So, let’s
band together, check on each other and look for the good. That’s
just what Oklahomans do.
I
want you to know I’m here to help. If you need to reach me, you can
call my office at 405-521-5561 or send me an email at
Micheal.Bergstrom@oksenate.gov.
-30-
MAKE
IT COUNT OKLAHOMA! An
undercount in the census of just 2 percent can cost the state $1.8
billion in lost federal money over the next 10 years. Fill out your
census form, Oklahoma. Learn more at: www.2020census.gov.
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