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As of this writing, Johns Hopkins, is reporting more than 432,438 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US, and nearly 1.5m confirmed cases worldwide.  While the battle to save lives is expected to continue until a vaccine is developed (which experts say could still be 12-18 months out), national security experts are focusing on what we’ve learned so far, not only about COVID-19, but about whether we have a national security structure that is suited to detect and mitigate future viral and biological threats.

As part of a special series of expert-led, web-based briefings to keep our members connected, The Cipher Brief spoke with former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, who is also co- founder and Executive Chairman of The Chertoff Group, about his experience leading DHS and what we can learn from COVID-19.  We caught up with the Secretary in his home, where he’s been practicing social distancing with this family.  For the short-term, he told us that he believes the actions that Americans are taking right now will ultimately flatten the curve and will allow us to engage again sooner rather than later, but he also urged patience, telling us “This is going to be a while.” 

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