Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Media frenzy continues. White House came out today and indicated increased layer of screening at airport on the arrival/entry level with: 1) temperatures; 2) questionnaire about contacts; 3) presence of sxs; 4) quarantine if necessary. The White House in its ridiculous need to control the message will not let Tom Frieden or I do any TV today (OK for tomorrow) since they only want DHS out there delivering the message. Hate mail continues as well as just criticism from far right. Somewhat embarrassing AM phone call today on the HHS teleconference with Sylvia, Tom Frieden, Peggy Hamburg, me, Nicki Lurie, etc. Tom was concerned that with the POTUS announcement at 3:00 PM that they would not be able to implement the 4 items (see above) at the chosen airports of Kennedy, O’Hare, Dulles, Atlanta, and Newark within the next couple of days. He expressed this to Sylvia and she argued that they would have to do it since they told the White House at the last meeting with them that they would. Tom said that this was not his understanding and he was afraid that there might be some embarrassing slip-ups. Sylvia was not pleased and in her usual gentle way made it clear that CDC would have to make it happen. Very awkward moment on the phone.