Genomic surveillance is also one of the few ways officials can determine whether, where and how to put travel restrictions in place. Without this data, even the fastest-acting, best-intentioned leaders — like Mr. Cuomo, in this case — are flying blind. Dr. Bedford and others like him have done heroic work gathering the sequencing data that exists in the United States. For example, there are countless ways to get from Britain to New York, including by routing through other states and cities in the United States. It would help if federal leaders put similar measures in place across the country to avoid such loopholes.

Source: International New York Times December 22, 2020 20:15 UTC