As COVID-19 surges in China, the U.S. is expanding its traveler surveillance program, an early warning system for detecting new variants. With the addition of Los Angeles and Seattle, there are now seven airports where volunteer passengers can swab themselves on arrival. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention program now covers about 500 flights, including more than half from the China region. The CDC on Thursday also began requiring travelers from China, Hong Kong and Macao to test negative for COVID-19 before flying to the U.S. Meanwhile, scientists want to see more screening of wastewater from arriving airplanes.

The recent retirement announcement from City Attorney Shawn Mason and Public Works Director Brad Underwood, along with the recent departure of…