Care to explain what "on the ball" would realistically look like for this specific situation we are in right now? Because everyone else seems to be avoiding the question.
If you're genuinely interested go read how other countries such as Singapore have been handling it. For example Singapore has done a thorough job of testing, tracing, and quarantining individuals and it's slowed the spread dramatically there. They've also been communicating opening and honestly with the public so that the public knows what is happening, knows the right things are being done, and knows what their role is to play.
The CDC used to have a unit in China coordinating with local health care experts to identify and manage epidemics and new diseases. This was cut a few years ago.
Also there used to be a CDC expert on the National Security Council until 2018. Of course you can bring in an advisor as needed, but that’s not the same as having someone you know, and that knows you and how you work, and knows the resources and capabilities you have right there on staff in the NSC.
On the ball would be treating the CDC and pandemic response as national defence, not charity welfare.