Instead of lockdowns, the government should liberate rapid COVID-19 self-testing

COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have been climbing. On Thursday, the United States recorded more than 150,000 new cases, a record-breaking number. To stay abreast of this fast-moving virus, government will have to adopt new strategies. The good news? All it would take is 15 minutes and a decision by the Food and Drug Administration.

Last winter, the FDA’s approach to COVID-19 testing left us blind to the rapid spread and struggling to keep up with the wave of infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. This time around, the agency could (and should) give us the tools to get ahead of the virus by approving rapid self-testing kits for COVID-19.