Table of Contents
Foreword 11
Introduction 14
Chapter 1 Was the United States Prepared for a Pandemic?
Overview: Could the US Have Been Better Prepared for the COVID-19 Pandemic? Wayne Lewis 19
The author examines why it appears that the United States was caught off guard. It is difficult at best to prepare for a disease outbreak when a virus is completely new. On the other hand, many protocols are universal.
Yes: The United States Was Prepared for a Pandemic
A "Pandemic Playbook" Prepared by the Previous Administration Was Available to Consult Victoria Knight 23
Contrary to some reports, Obama administration staffers prepared a detailed report on how to respond to a possible threat to the US. The report provided plans on how to act against a variety of threats, including pandemics. The availability of this plan was denied by Republicans supporting President Trump.
US Schools Quickly Pivoted to Online Learning During Lockdown Anya Kamenetz 26
The COVID pandemic made online learning a must for most students in the US. Schools, students, teachers, and parents were caught up in a storm of change at the drop of a hat. Some families made the transition easily, others not so well.
Medical Professionals Shattered the Illusion That the US Was Ready for an Outbreak Nikhila Natarajan 33
The public heard from many during the COVID-19 pandemic. Doctors, politicians, nurses, respiratory specialists, teachers, grocery store workers, and so many others. Some of these people became the storytellers of the pandemic. Through their stories, they helped others during the historic pandemic.
No: The United States Was Not Well Prepared for the COVID-19 Pandemic
Government Failed to Keep the US Prepared for COVID Daniel M. Gerstein 37
For many years, presidential administrations have made preparations for health emergencies. The Trump administration ignored previous preparedness protocols and suggested it was not the responsibility of the federal government to be in charge during COVID-19.
PPE Shortages Revealed the US Government's Lack of Preparedness Tucker Doherty Brianna Ehley 43
It is shameful that during the height of the pandemic President Trump repeatedly claimed that the shortage of PPE across the US was "fake news." Why would hospital staff intentionally lie about the tools and medical equipment they needed to combat the virus?
The White House Disregarded Its Own Pandemic Experts Ana Maria Lankford Derrick Storzieri Joseph Fitsanakis 47
The intelligence components of the federal government's Biological Defense Program offered actionable forewarning about an impending pandemic, yet senior US government officials repeatedly claimed that the virus "came out of nowhere."
Chapter 2 Are Science and Politics at Odds with One Another?
Overview: Politicians Should Not Dismiss Science Mauktik Kulkarni 71
Science seeks to uncover truths and facts. Politics does not. The US was not the only country in the world where politicians acted against the advice of scientists during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yes: Science and Politics Are at Odds with One Another
Deadly Lies Were the Norm in the 2020 Pandemic Daniel Funke Katie Sanders 74
Science and medical experts are summarily dismissed in favor of misinformation and outright lies promulgated by online hucksters, TV personalities, QAnon fraudsters, radio opinionators, medical posers, and even government personnel and politicians.
What Happens When We Prioritize Politics and Economics Over Science Meridith McGraw Nancy Cook 84
What was happening at the White House as the COVID-19 pandemic began to take shape in the US? President Trump appeared more interested in the stock market and other economic indicators instead of the warnings from medical experts and advisers.
QAnon Conspiracy Theories Fight Against Science Marc-André Argentino 89
The QAnon phenomenon began in 2017 and continues to push wild conspiracy theories. This group is a threat to public health because it has caused individuals to cling to lies and misinformation instead of looking to advice of health experts and scientists.
No: At Times Science Works with or Around Politics
The Science-Policy Interface Can Be Improved by Integrating Scientific Investigation with Political Debate Peter Horton Garrett W. Brown 93
There is currently intense debate over expertise, evidence, and "post-truth" politics. The authors put forward a methodology for evidence-based policy making intended as a way of helping navigate this web of complexity.
Waiving Intellectual Property Protections Is Key to Fighting the Pandemic Around the World Daniel Takash 104
Biden's plans to ship 60 million doses of the vaccine and required materials to India as that country faced one of the deadliest outbreaks of the pandemic will supercharge the fight across the world.
Science Diplomats Can Facilitate Multilateral Responses to Global Challenges Lorenzo Melchor 107
The COVID-19 crisis has shown how countries initially responded to a global challenge on their own, instead of relying on a multilateral, science diplomacy-based response. Science diplomacy sits across national borders, policy frameworks, and stakeholders of all natures and professional backgrounds.
Chapter 3 Does Politics Influence Medical Treatment During a Pandemic?
Overview: The COVID-19 Pandemic Underscored the Inequities in Healthcare N. Jensen A. H. Kelly M. Avendano 114
In this excerpted viewpoint, the authors argue that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated health disparities and their underlying social determinants in the US and globally. Scrutiny of the pandemic could help address structural conditions at their root.
Yes: Politics Does Influence Medical Treatments During a Pandemic
Despite Warnings from Medical Experts, the President Touted Ineffective Treatments: The Hindu 119
Despite warnings from medical experts, President Trump endorsed treatments for COVID-19 infections that proved ineffective and even dangerous. Again and again, Trump proved his unwillingness to let scientific and medical experts take the lead.
Science Denial Hampered the Pandemic Response Adam Wernick 121
Former president Donald Trump and many conservatives deny climate change and the science surrounding the complicated issue. Is it any surprise then that these same people denied the severity of the coronavirus?
No: Factors Besides Politics Influence Medical Treatments During a Pandemic
Scientists in the US and China Collaborated to Fight COVID Jenny J. Lee John P Haupt 126
Politics played an outsize role in the coronavirus pandemic. Former president Donald Trump went so far as to refer to the virus as the "China virus" on numerous occasions. Yet scientists across the world have continued or in some cases increased their level of collaboration. Significantly, statistics show this happened between scientists and researchers in the US and China.
Foundations Must Help Native American Communities During COVID Heidi A. Schultz 129
Even in the best of times, Native Americans living on government land face challenging everyday living situations. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the stress and strains that Native American communities face directly. The author points out how foundations should be helping these vulnerable communities.
Chapter 4 Can the Impact of Pandemics Be Changed for the Future?
Overview: How to Prevent Future Pandemics Marisa Peyre Flavie Luce Goutard François Roger 134
Can pandemics be prevented in the future? Some organizations are working to do just that. Researchers know that the chance of more pandemics occurring in the future is almost assured, and they understand outbreaks are likely to start with animals. Consequently, these agencies have outlined steps that suggest quick, global cooperation and action when the next pandemic looms.
Yes: The Impact of Pandemics Can Be Changed for the Future
Rapid Response Is Key When Battling Public Health Issues 140
Centers for Disease Control, Global Rapid Response Team
One of the keys to controlling public health issues is to act quickly. The CDCs Rapid Response Team does just that. Many individuals in the group are ready at a moment's notice to go anywhere in the world to help when a disease outbreak occurs. They stopped Ebola from becoming a pandemic, and this knowledge is ready to use against future possible pandemics.
Researchers' Understanding of Viruses Allows for Vaccine Development at Astonishing Speed Anthony King 143
The author gives a balanced and technical look at the development of potential vaccines making a path to fight against the coronavirus pandemic, explaining the basics of virus types and how they are used to procure vaccines.
Build on What's Been Learned from COVID-19 to Prepare for the Next Pandemic Tiffany A. Radcliff Angela Clendenin 148
Disasters like the COVID-19 pandemic can provide important lessons for the next time around. Ongoing innovation that builds on rapid adoption of technologies around COVID-19 will help people adjust to sudden lifestyle changes when the next pandemic strikes.
No: Changing the Impact of Future Pandemics Is Very Challenging
Mistrust of Science Fuels Chaos During a Pandemic Martha Molfetas 153
The US has a science denial problem that impinges on two important issues: emerging infectious diseases and climate change. Some see the two as inextricably intertwined. Countries that put their trust in science have done a better job in battling COVID-19 than countries ignoring science.
Vaccine Hesitancy Prevents Herd Immunity Against Pandemics Kelly Elterman 156
When people don't trust vaccines, it can take much longer to reach herd immunity, which is so important when a pandemic is raging through a population. Why do people fear vaccines, and what can be done to convince them that the vaccines made to fight COVID are safe and effective?
Partisan Politics Erodes Trust in the World Health Organization J.J. Moncus Aidan Connaughton 163
During the global pandemic, WHO played its role as the global watchdog and adviser. Unfortunately, when President Trump criticized WHO early in the pandemic, his Republican base accepted his ideas. Consequently a large percentage of them do not trust the actions of WHO.
Organizations to Contact 166
Bibliography 170
Index 173
