Wednesday, March 4, 2020

95,125/3254 Countriesd with cases – 77. South Korera -5328 cases; Italy – 2502. In USA 22 cases travel related + 38 person-to-person (10 deaths) = 60 cases + 3 Wuhan and 45 Diamond Princess repatriated – 48 . total – 108. Testified with my NIH colleagues at the House Approps Subcommittee chaired by Rosa DeLauro and present was Full committee Chair Nita Lowy. Again much praise for my role in coronavirus. Many senators want to speak individually to me. Today spoke with Senators Manchin (D-WV), Gary Powers (D-MI), and Pat Toomey (R-PA) clarifying point about testing, which is the big topic since the CDC and FDA lagged behind. More briefings today of House GOP and Dem caucus in Capitol Visitor Center. Totally standing room only. Kevin McCarthy ran GOP and Nancy Pelosi ran Dem. Much praise for me. VP came with Birx and then took me with them to return to WH in his motorcade, which was really fun – driving at 50 miles/hour down usually crowded streets that are now all blocked off. Daily task force meeting – I presented to group the 4 cases of community spread in Seattle (Corey phone call). VP and Steve Mnuchin pownplayed and VP bought it saying that 1% is a small number. I tried to explain to them that 1% reflects the situation a few weeks ago givin incubation and the real number is probably hundreds of infections. I wanted to have them do social distancing. Birz looking like she wants to tell the VP what he wants to hear. Not looking good. Sean Conley appropriately questions the VP going to Seattle. I call up Marc Short tonight and express my concern that they are downplaying the 4 patients. He understands and will relay this to VP. Governor Cuomo wants me (texts) to go to NYC and do a press conference with him. I told him that this is unlikely. He texts me back: “You are doing the important work! I am in the cheap seats. God Bless. Whenever works”. PRESS: Press conference after the Task Force meeting. I stress difference between risk of infection and risk of complication.