[Jim Noble]

The CDC levels and plans do not account for a widespread event with low lethality, which appears to be what we are dealing with here.

The use of physical restrictions on travel was designed for (and would be appropriate for) smallpox.

It's not appropriate for sniffles.

[Pete]

The call I mentioned above is actually by FEMA legal councel. They are going through a powerpoint deck. Slide 53 is titled “Quarantine and Isolation Law: The Basics”. Again, anyone can call and listen in.

[Pete]

Slide 71

Federal Powers: Quarantine and Isolation

The Secretary of HHS (through CDC) can: “detain, medically examine, or conditionally release” persons suspected of carrying certain communicable diseases

Authority applies only if communicable disease has been designated in a Presidential Executive Order SARS added 2003 Avian influenza added 2005

[Pete]

slide 69 is a real gem (bold added by me):

State and Local Jurisdictional Issues Regarding Protection of People

Remember: Police powers, including public health authority, are reserved to states under the U.S. Constitution’s 10th Amendment

But: federal and international jurisdictional issues may arise in a given case