discussion question part 3
Governments around the world have been preparing for a Pandemic, for decades.
From an NCBI Government workshop dated 2005. Even back then, they understood the importance of having a proven plan based on science and research, lessons from the past, and collaboration between state, local, and federal levels of government.
“In the United States, managing the risk of a pandemic influenza entails not only addressing key national issues through the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Department of Homeland Security, but also the harmonization and coordination of state, local, and private-sector plans (GAO, 2000; Slater, 2004). The first U.S. pandemic preparedness plan was organized in 1978, following the emergence of H1N1 swine flu in 1976. The federal government’s experience in responding to this threat revealed the importance of developing agreements with private- and public-sector players to assure the timely purchase, distribution, and administration of vaccines and drugs in advance of future infectious outbreaks (GAO, 2000; Millar, 1977). In a sense, the latest version of the U.S. pandemic plan has been under construction since the release of its predecessor nearly 25 years ago, but looming threats of avian influenza and bioterrorism, along with recent sobering estimates of the potential impact of pandemic influenza on the United States (Table S-1) have raised the plan’s profile considerably (Gellin, 2004).â€
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK22146/
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING BELOW:
A third issue is the struggle between underreacting and overreacting. What is best for the country? Who are we as a nation? Do we lift restrictions in order to save the economy and help the people struggling under shelter-in-place regulations, despite the vast evidence showing that this act will increase the death rates? Or, do we learn from the lessons of other countries and shelter as long as we can (despite the costs), in order to “flatten the curve†and not overwhelm our healthcare systems (thereby saving lives)?
Your initial discussion postings (250-300 words) should demonstrate an understanding and analysis of the assigned readings and video. It may be helpful to reference the assigned material in your response demonstrating connections between your thoughts and the course resources.
