If testing of a new drug take so long, what are the chances that we find a drug that is effective in the short term for treating COVID-19? The odd of this seem fairly low. Moreover, if we do develop a drug that is shown to be effective, what are the chances that the virus changes before the drug is approved for humans use? Along those lines, do you think it is good the the government has loosened restrictions on drug testing/testing kits? Are these changes something that need to be implemented longterm or just in the immediate?
Targets for drugs are usually something that the virus absolutely needs to be infectious. So chances are slim, but not non-existent, that the drug would work for a while.
I think the FDA was responding in a crisis and then had to go back and reevaluate what was happening with respect to testing. Hopefully, this emergency situation will not continue.