We're here with insights and guidance for future outbreaks.
 | By Alexandra Sifferlin Senior Staff Editor, Opinion |
This weekend marked three years since the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic, and in a couple of months, the United States plans to end the public health emergency. What have we learned in the past three years? And what could we do better the next time? |
Times Opinion has begun a limited-run newsletter called The Next Pandemic to explore these crucial questions. It will feature arguments and analysis from experts and science writers about how to prepare for threats from pandemic pathogens, whatever they may be. |
In the first edition of the newsletter, sent on Sunday, we shared a cleareyed look at the state of America's pandemic readiness from Tom Inglesby, the director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. We also asked eight experts to participate in a scaled-down pandemic simulation. This drill pushed them to apply Covid lessons to answer the question: If the next pandemic happened tomorrow, what should we do about schools, masks, vaccines and more? |
They didn't all agree on how those in power should respond. The purpose was to show how, even with the same information and shared goals, experienced pandemic policymakers can still reach different conclusions. But as Inglesby argues, making quick decisions with little information (like at the beginning of any pandemic) is easier when you have a clear sense of what policy options and resources you have at your disposal. |
You can sign up here to get this free newsletter every Sunday for the coming months. We also really want to hear from you. Each week an expert on pandemic preparedness will answer a few readers' questions. You can submit yours at next-pandemic@nytimes.com. |
Here's what we're focusing on today: |
Forward this newsletter to friends to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can sign up here. Do you have feedback? Email us at opiniontoday@nytimes.com. |
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