Viewpoints: We're not ready for a pandemic; here's what we need

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

By Christine Crudo Blackburn, Andrew Natsios and Gerald. W. Parker / For The Conversation

Over a hundred years after the Great Influenza pandemic of 1918, global health leadership stands at a crossroads. The United States continues to expand its policy of isolationism at a time when international cooperation in health could not be more important.

The state of pandemic preparedness and the necessary steps for protecting the people throughout the world was the topic of The Scowcroft Institute for International Affairs’ second annual White Paper.

As pandemic policy scholars, with two of us spending the majority of our career in the federal government, we believe that it is essential to prepare the country and the world for the next pandemic. It is not a matter of if, but when, the next disease will sweep the world with deadly and costly consequences.

There are many topic areas that national leaders must address to create better preparedness and response capabilities, but we believe three are most urgent. These include targeting the resistance to antimicrobial agents that has come about because of overuse and misuse of antibiotics; ensuring continuity of supply chains; and improving and strengthening leadership.

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https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/viewpoints-were-not-ready-for-a-pandemic-heres-what-we-need/

[Aristus]

1. One thing we're definitely going to need if a vaccine is developed for it:

A paucity of people refusing the vaccine and discouraging other people from getting it "until we hear from Jim Carrey if it's okay or not..."

[MicaelS]

4. Think of it as Evolution in Action. n/t

[MissMillie]

2. Paid sick time

People need to be able to afford to stay home when they are sick.

Too many times in my working career did I end up catching something that took me weeks to get over because one sick person didn't stay home.

On edit:

Hell--pay people DOUBLE to stay home when they're sick. If it keeps 10 other people from getting sick, a business would end up saving money in the long run.

[YOHABLO]

3. We need some guidelines for the public to stay healthy.

Other than washing hands frequently, perhaps wearing masks, and staying out of public places, which will be hard for everyone, what can we do?

[raccoon]

5. Not to worry, the Dotard will keep us safe. :sarcasm: nt