As America begins to re-open, one thing is clear: we need a plan in place to make sure that we minimize the risk to all of us.

From the start, that's exactly what the Trump administration lacked. A plan.

So, let's talk about contact tracing—the way forward in these difficult times.

The idea isn't complicated: make sure that if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you're told about it as soon as possible so you can get tested and avoid passing it to your family, friends, or coworkers if you're positive. Trained professionals talk to everyone who has tested positive and find out where they've been and who they've been with, and get in touch with those contacts.

Testing and tracing are the critical tools to limit the spread of new infections. It's the path forward because that way we know who has been exposed to the virus, and the rest of us can venture out with greater confidence in our health and safety.

Unfortunately, what we've seen so far from the Trump administration is a failed response, leaving states and communities to fend for themselves—some proceeding cautiously, some rushing ahead without responsible safeguards ... all without the funding in place to keep us all safe.

My plan? A comprehensive, nationwide strategy for testing and contact tracing. Because we're the United States of America—and we need a united response. The federal government plans and pays, and local health departments do the work so we avoid threats to people's privacy.

Even as we gingerly re-open now, we're already seeing cases back on the rise in many places. We need a tracing plan to minimize the risk as best as we can.

Our contact tracing plan, which I have introduced in the U.S. Senate with Senators Elizabeth Warren and Tina Smith, moves fast.

It provides funds to do this fully, not half-heartedly. And it looks out for everyone—not just the wealthy and well-connected.

Jeff