Preparing for Our Next Pandemic

 

Things We’ll Do Better….During Our NEXT Pandemic

Although we’re still in the midst of the Covid19 pandemic, it’s not too early to start reflecting on what we’ve learned for the sake of being more prepared for the next pandemic.   In this blog-post I’m sharing eight thoughts that have come to my mind.  Please chime in with your own thoughts, hopes and dreams for how we might handle the next pandemic better than we dealt with the current pandemic.

 

Number 1:  We’ll be grateful that—after our LAST pandemic (i.e. the pandemic of 2020-2021)--we invested time, imagination, and resources in preparing for our next pandemic.    Examples:  strengthening our public health infrastructure, maintaining adequate inventories of vital tools (e.g. PPE, facemasks, sanitation supplies), “capturing” our learnings, etc.

 

Number 2:  We’ll recognize the critical differences between public health and individual health and thus share a consensus about the necessity of sacrificing individual freedoms for the sake of society-wide, global  responsibilities.

 

Number 3:  We and our elected leaders will trust science and expertise, and we’ll  all resist any attempts to politicize scientific findings and public health guidelines and recommendations.

 

Number 4:  We’ll willingly embrace short-term sacrifices for the sake of long-term gains.

 

Number 5:  We’ll support one another in cultivating patience and managing our anxieties.

 

Number 6:  We’ll understand that a pandemic is, by definition, a global epidemic that requires global solidarity and cooperation.

 

Number 7:  We’ll be mindful of and address the critical needs of our neighbors whose circumstances make them more vulnerable and “at risk” during pandemics.

 

Number  8:  We’ll pray for and generously support local faith communities and agencies that address human needs, in partnership with governments and pertinent non-governmental organizations.