What it takes to fight disease outbreaks

+ the lives of drug traffickers [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 3 February 2020 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair [Jennifer Weeks] A note from... Jennifer Weeks Environment + Energy Editor The Trump administration has declared a public health emergency over the coronavirus outbreak and announced quarantines and travel restrictions to keep it from spreading. At the same time, budgeting expert Linda Bilmes explains, the White House is weakening the federal agencies that work to detect and prevent global infectious disease outbreaks. Trump has proposed slashing the Centers for Disease Control’s budget and reduced high-level White House staffing for health security. In a globalized world where new diseases are emerging, Bilmes asserts, the U.S. should [do more to prepare for outbreaks like coronavirus, not less](. 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