The day after Pence was put in charge, Health and Human Services officials submitted their planned communication message to his office. “While the situation could change rapidly, at this time, Americans don’t need to change their day-to-day lives, but should stay informed and practice good hygiene,” the understated message said. Still, Pence’s communications director, Katie Miller, objected. “Even for HHS this is a bit alarmist,” she wrote department officials in an email on February 27. “Couldn’t we just start with Americans don’t need to change their day-to-day lives and leave out the rapid
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