Genomic epidemiology can provide a unique, real-time understanding of SARS-CoV-2 transmission patterns. Yet the potential for genomic analyses to guide local policy and community-based behavioral decisions is limited because they are often oriented towards specially trained scientists and conducted on a national or global scale. Here, we propose a new paradigm: Phylogenetic analyses performed on a local level (municipal, county, or state), with results communicated in a clear, timely, and actionable manner to strengthen public health responses. We believe that presenting results rapidly, and tailored to a non-expert audience, can serve as a template for effective public health response to COVID-19 and other emerging viral diseases.

基因组流行病学可以提供对 SARS-CoV-2 传播模式的独特、实时的了解。然而，基因组分析指导地方政策和基于社区的行为决策的潜力是有限的，因为它们通常面向经过专门培训的科学家并在国家或全球范围内进行。在这里，我们提出了一种新的范式：在地方层面（市、县或​​州）进行系统发育分析，并以清晰、及时和可操作的方式传达结果，以加强公共卫生应对措施。我们相信，快速呈现并针对非专家受众量身定制的结果可以作为针对 COVID-19 和其他新出现的病毒性疾病的有效公共卫生应对的模板。