You couldn’t stop it that way. But with social distancing, you might be able to slow it down, manage it within the confines of the medical system.

I think what this is, is ratcheting this up.

We felt it was best suited to have our preparation based on that worst case, which in recent history was 1918.

If it was done in consultation with the WHO [World Health Organization] — and with other governments that would make contributions, as well — we would be more likely to consider it.

We felt that it would be important that we have a worst-case scenario to make sure our planning efforts were measured against that.

The secretary or the chief of staff — we have a discussion about flu almost every day.

We’re not ready. If it happens tomorrow or next year, we’re in trouble. It’s a sobering picture.

We need to be on a wartime footing. Innovation comes out of crisis.

We have put out a request for proposals, and are currently evaluating them from manufacturers, to determine how much additional vaccine could be produced over the next couple of months so as not to interfere...