We Need a Cheap Way to Diagnose Coronavirus

The coronavirus is at — or perilously close to — the level necessary to constitute a global pandemic. Government responses here and abroad have been a mix of good, bad and dangerous. With expert co-authors, I propose concrete steps to improve public health by improving the tools to screen and test people who might have the virus. Without accessible and inexpensive point-of-care diagnostic tools, we stand zero chance of correctly identifying who to treat and who to isolate or quarantine. Vaccines and drugs are essential in the long run. The short-term challenges we face today require this additional focus. For more, read our Harvard Business Review article, published yesterday.