Five GOP Senators Call for Ban on Travel Between US and China Over New ‘Mystery Illness’

Five Republican senators are urging President Joe Biden to ban travel between the U.S. and China in an effort to prevent a new “mystery illness” from spreading.

Their request came in a letter to Biden on Friday. Signing the letter were Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida, J.D. Vance of Ohio, Rick Scott of Florida, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Mike Braun of Indiana.

“In light of an unknown respiratory illness spreading throughout the People’s Republic of China (PRC), we call on you to immediately restrict travel between the United States and the PRC,” they wrote. “As you know, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has a long history of lying about public health crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CCP’s obfuscation of the truth, and lack of transparency, robbed the United States of vital knowledge about the disease and its origin.

“On January 31, 2020, President (Donald)  Trump issued an order to restrict travel from the PRC into the United States to protect the American people and counter the spread of COVID-19. Many officials and commentators — including you — criticized his decision as being influenced by ‘xenophobia.’ But history and common sense show his decision was the right one.  

“At this moment, the world faces another unknown pathogen emanating from the PRC that could spread to other countries, including the United States. The PRC has reported an increase in this mystery illness — which it claims to be pneumonia caused by known pathogens — since mid-October. This illness reportedly is a special hazard for children and has overrun hospitals in the north of the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) says it is unclear if the disease is due to an overall increase in respiratory infections or separate events. If history is any indication, we have cause to be concerned. 

“A ban on travel now could save our country from death, lockdowns, mandates, and further outbreaks later.”

In testimony provided to congressional lawmakers, the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the surge in respiratory illnesses in China has not been sparked by a new virus, HealthDay is reporting.

The spike can be linked to existing viruses and bacteria, including COVID-19, the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Mycoplasma pneumonia, CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen testified.

Her assessment mirrored the explanation of Chinese officials and the WHO, according to HealthDay.