Request for records concerning COVID-19 testing shortages and the reasons behind the shortages

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Any and all digital records (including but not limited to emails, text messages, PDF files, social media posts, etc.) concerning any of the following:

-a real or potential shortage of COVID-19 testing supplies in the United States—in other words, a real or potential situation in which COVID-19 testing supplies are unable to be produced at a rate sufficient to satisfy the public demand for said tests

-any shortcomings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or other agencies or individuals in the federal executive branch which exacerbated the aforementioned shortage of COVID-19 testing supplies

-any outside pressure (including by the president or the White House) exerted on the HHS or on any of the HHS's subordinate agencies which resulted in fewer COVID-19 testing supplies being available to medical doctors, and therefore fewer COVID-19 tests being administered to the general public

-any interference by the president or the White House in the affairs of the HHS or any of the HHS's subordinate agencies which resulted in fewer COVID-19 testing supplies being available to medical doctors, and therefore fewer COVID-19 tests being administered to the general public

By "COVID-19 testing supplies", I mean any medical supplies necessary for medical doctors to administer tests to patients either to diagnose the patients with COVID-19 or to determine whether they possess immunity to COVID-19 (such as through antibody tests or any other methods that might be used to test for immunity).

Similarly, by "COVID-19 tests", I mean any tests administered to patients by medical doctors either to diagnose the patients with COVID-19 or to determine whether they possess immunity to COVID-19 (such as through antibody tests or any other methods that might be used to test for immunity).

I seek records that were created between March 1, 2020 and the date this request is processed (inclusive of those dates).

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Christopher Tidmarsh