In response to a surge in respiratory illness cases in China, five Republican senators, led by Marco Rubio, are urgently calling on President Joe Biden to consider a travel ban between the United States and China. This comes as a precautionary measure until more is known about the nature and risks of this new illness.

Call for Immediate Travel Restrictions

The letter, co-signed by Rubio and Senators J.D. Vance, Rick Scott, Tommy Tuberville, and Mike Braun, stresses the immediate need to restrict travel between the United States and China. The senators advocate for these measures until a comprehensive understanding of the potential dangers posed by the new respiratory illness is obtained.

Global Concerns and WHO’s Inquiry

Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised global concerns and formally requested more information from China. The request was prompted by reports of undiagnosed pneumonia clusters in children, as revealed by the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases.

U.S. Monitoring and Official Statement

A spokesperson from the Biden administration has clarified that the U.S. is closely monitoring the increase in respiratory illnesses in China. However, they emphasize that the situation seems to align with seasonal trends, and there is currently no evidence linking the cases in China to those seeking care in U.S. emergency departments.

China’s Response and Opposition

Responding to the senators’ letter, the spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, dismissed the claims as “purely ill-intentioned fabrications,” asserting China’s firm opposition to the proposed travel restrictions.

Insights from WHO and Seasonal Trends

Maria Van Kerkhove, acting director of the WHO’s department of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, highlights that the surge in respiratory cases in China may be attributed to children contracting pathogens previously avoided during COVID-19 restrictions.

Ohio is the first US State to report a child pneumonia outbreak after China. They are calling it “white lung syndrome”https://t.co/Q6bDs2JeVd#pneumonia #children #kids #infection #chrissky #unitednoncompliance #justsayno #usa #china pic.twitter.com/MOep2fujn3

— Chris Sky🧱 (@chrissaccoccia1) December 1, 2023

Flights Between U.S. and China

Despite the rise in cases, flights between the U.S. and China have been steadily increasing in recent months. The number of approved flights per week for each country rose from 12 to 35 on Nov. 9, 2023.

Historical Context and Trump’s Actions

In January 2020, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, then-President Donald Trump imposed restrictions on most non-U.S. citizens who had recently been in China. However, these restrictions did not extend to flights between the two countries.

Evolution of Travel Policies

While travel restrictions for fully vaccinated international visitors were lifted in November 2021, the requirement for air travelers to test negative before arriving was rescinded in June 2022. The U.S. has been gradually easing travel restrictions in response to the evolving global situation.

#WATCH | Delhi: On rapidly spreading pneumonia among children in China, Dr SK Kabra, HOD Mother and Child Block, AIIMS says “…There is a sudden increase in the number of children suffering from a viral respiratory infection and more of so pneumonia. It has been discussed among… pic.twitter.com/5rASkSluds

— ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2023