Warren Offers Infectious-Disease Plan Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

[left-of-center2012]

Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren has announced a plan to prevent, contain and treat infectious diseases as a new viral illness spreads in China.

The Massachusetts senator on Tuesday unveiled a plan that includes fully funding the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's pandemic prevention and response programs. The agency has faced stiff budget cuts under President Donald Trump, including to emergency funds and global health programs that were established following West Africa's Ebola epidemic in 2014.

Warren's proposal comes as the coronavirus has killed more than 100 people in China and the city at the center of the crisis, Wuhan, remains on lockdown. The U.S. has confirmed cases in Washington state, Illinois, Southern California and Arizona.

The timing of Warren's announcement was no accident — nor is the fact that she's the candidate drawing up the proposal. During more than a year of campaigning, Warren has embraced the reputation of having "a plan" for nearly everything.

https://www.wbur.org/news/2020/01/28/elizabeth-warren-coronavirus-infectious-diseases-plan

[LonePirate]

1. If there is a problem, Warren likely has a solution. She is by far the best candidate for the job.

[left-of-center2012]

2. "Warren likely has a solution"

Well, a 'plan' anyway.

[still_one]

3. Hats off to Warren for this

[andym]

4. This is why she might make a great President, but also why she may not win the nomination

Why? Her plans are too well-thought out and detailed. Good politicians are typically vague and loathe to tie themselves to detailed plans. It's why her detailed version of Medicare for All caused her to drop in the polls: the detailed look at the plan that would change everyone's healthcare apparently scared some folks.

[emmaverybo]

5. A plan is in place and being carried out as she speaks. EMS is a crucial link. It is on the job

throughout the US. Testing is being done on passengers incoming at connecting points. Suspected cases will be transported in dedicated medical conveyance, tested, surveilled, not just dumped in public emergency rooms, their contacts located. They will be attended by personnel following CDC guidelines which include proper gear.

Of course there is the need to fully fund CDC and for the US and the international community to come together to support WHO. We are better prepared for novel coronavirus than we were for Ebola, a far less contagious disease.

Warren will not be in a position of power probably before this particular virus burns out. All she can do is lobby against the funding cuts.