Congressman Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) co-wrote a letter this week urging federal agencies to further implement antibody testing, a type of test that can determine if a person has an immunity to COVID-19.

“It is now vital that the U.S. does not drop the ball on coronavirus antibody testing since it tells us who can safely return to work,” reads the bipartisan letter.

Brooks co-authored the correspondence with Reps. Bill Foster (D-IL) and Ami Bera (D-CA).

Two other members of Alabama’s congressional delegation, Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) and Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham), signed the document once it was written.

The letter argues that “much of our population, especially the young and minimally symptomatic, will have already acquired immunity to COVID-19, not through vaccination, but by getting infected and recovering.”

“Most of those who recover will not be certain they had COVID-19,” the letter continues.

The letter goes on to say, “Fortunately, a so-called serological test that detect[s] the immune system’s response to a viral infection, including to COVID-19, could provide such a reasonable assurance.”

A serological test is another name for an antibody test.

According to the authors of the letter, one of whom has a medical degree, the serological tests involve little more than a finger-prick of blood and can deliver results within minutes.

In comments accompanying the letter, Brooks said he wants federal agencies “to deploy these antibody tests rapidly and widely to help America’s medical profession acquire another weapon in the fight against COVID-19.”

“Americans must work for the good of their families, our economy, and our country,” Brooks advised.

The full letter can be read here.

Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: henry@new-yhn.local or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.