during the covid-19 pandemic, the ccf's on to fuss case of the truth and lack of transparency robbedd states of vital knowledge about the disease and its origins. they continue: a ban on travel now could save our country from death, lockdowns, mandates and further outbreaks later. cdc director mandy cohen told congress on thursday there is, quote, no new or novel pathogen behind the wave of pediatric respiratory illness spreading throughout china right now. >> what we know as of right now, today, what's happening in china, they are having an increase in some of their respiratory illness. they're seeing it in the northern part of their country, an uptick in their pediatric population. what we do know, again as of today, we do not believe this is a new or novel pathogen. we believe this is all existing meaning covid, flu, rsv, but they are seeing an upsurgeons. maria: back in america, at least two states -- ohio and massachusetts -- have so far reported a spike in pneumonia-red lighted outbreaks in children. -- pneumonia-related outbreaks. but the national security threat from china ha