1/5: Many thanks ⁦ @EricaRHill⁩ ⁦ @JohnBerman⁩ for hosting me on ⁦ @NewDay⁩: I voiced strong opinions this AM on how to proceed regarding the emergence of the the SARS CoV2 variant B.1.1.7. Bottom line: Not a question of opinion, it’s an evidence based decision

2/5: Over the Summer the CDC launched SPHERES, a virus genomics sequencing consortium, a similar approach led the UK to discover variant 1.1.1.7. We should therefore already know if the new variant has entered the country. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/spheres.html

3/5: My expectation is that by COB today, the CDC will inform the American people: 1) If indeed the virus has entered the US, 2) its extent, where and if it's outcompeting other virus strains, 3) epidemiologic models showing how quickly it is expected to spread, and...

4/5: ....what exactly would be the impact - if any - of travel restrictions from the UK. The point is this is not an opinion, it's an evidence based decision that should be made by the CDC and very soon.

5/5: I don't want to hear about the opinions of the Governor or NY, Wash State, or White House. The UK is among our most trusted beloved allies. If we decide to kick them in the balls, which is what a travel restriction is, we'd better base it on evidence-based decision making