Critical Releases in Homeland Security: March 11, 2020

This is the February 5, 2020 testimony of Jennifer Bouey of the RAND Corporation on "From SARS [severe acute respiratory syndrome] to 2019-Coronavirus (nCoV): U.S.-China Collaborations on Pandemic Response" before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Asia. From the Document: "Chairman Bera, Ranking Member Yoho, and members of the subcommittee, thank you for inviting me to testify about U.S.-China collaboration on pandemic response, especially in light of the recent novel coronavirus outbreak. First, I will describe the 2002-2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the global response. Next, I will discuss U.S.-China collaboration from 2003-2012, followed by developments in the years prior to the current coronavirus outbreak. Lastly, I will analyze the characteristics of 2019-nCoV and China's early responses, and offer policy recommendations."

From the Background: "This report discusses selected actions taken by the U.S. federal government to quell the introduction and spread of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] in the United States. The President, the HHS [Health and Human Services] Secretary, and other federal officials have taken several specific actions to address this threat. While some of these actions are based in generally applicable authorities, others may be contingent upon the Secretary or another federal official making a determination or declaration, specific to that action, regarding the existence of a public health emergency or threat. Key actions and their legal basis are discussed in this report."