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OPINION MARCH 21, 2025 | The Indian Eye 10

The Covid-19 pandemic turns five:

ARE WE PREPARED

FOR THE NEXT ONE?

COVID-19 has provided valuable
DR. TUSHAR B. PATEL
lessons, experts warn that the U.S.
may now be less prepared for the
arch 11, 2025 marked five next pandemic. A critical issue is
years mark since the World
MHealth Organization the public’s trust in science and
public health agencies, which has
(WHO) declared COVID-19 a global eroded over the course of the pan-
pandemic in 2020. As the world looks demic.
back, both successes and mistakes in • On the other hand, there are posi-
the U.S. response to the crisis are be- tives, such as the experience gained
ing evaluated by public health experts. in responding to pandemics. If an-
Here are some key takeaways: other pandemic occurs, there are
Kudos to the First Respond- existing vaccine platforms and pre-
ers – medical professionals, law en- paredness frameworks that can be
forcements, all the essential workers used more swiftly.
and all the local, state and federal • However, maintaining momentum
agencies who provided their selfless in pandemic preparedness is diffi-
service and expertise and dedica- cult, and continued investment in
tion round-the-clock to keep us all public health systems is crucial for
safe and alive for months. We are so Early in the pandemic, the U.S. testing strategy was a disaster. The Centers for Disease Control future global health threats.
thankful and proud of them for their and Prevention (CDC) developed a flawed test, creating a significant bottleneck Reflections on Global
service. Cooperation:
COVID’s Impact and Evolution: rus, two highly effective vaccines mask-wearing. While the World • Experts urge for continued glob-
• The pandemic drastically altered were developed. The response Health Organization (WHO) al collaboration in pandemic
daily life, causing widespread ill- was significantly bolstered by the eventually expanded its guidelines, preparedness, especially with
ness, death, and social upheaval. collaboration between the Nation- it could have communicated more pathogens that do not respect
Hospitals were overwhelmed in al Institutes of Health (NIH) and clearly from the start. borders. The WHO and national
many places, and cities locked Operation Warp Speed. • School Closures: School closures governments must work togeth-
down to try to contain the virus. • Public health measures such as remain a controversial issue. While er to strengthen public health
• Currently, COVID-19 is less of an stay-at-home orders, when imple- initially necessary, their long dura- infrastructures and increase sur-
emergency than in the early years, mented early, helped slow trans- tion and the shift to online school- veillance and risk assessment to
with fewer hospitalizations and mission and prevented overwhelm- ing led to negative impacts on prevent future outbreaks from es-
deaths, thanks in part to high im- ing hospitals, which showed that children’s mental health and edu- calating into global crises.
munity levels from both infections “flattening the curve” worked. cation. Experts suggest that more Overall, while the fight against
and vaccinations. Effective treat- Mistakes and Lessons Learned: sustainable measures, like improv- COVID-19 showed significant prog-
ments, such as antivirals and vac- • Testing Failures: Early in the pan- ing ventilation and masking, could ress, it also highlighted deep divi-
cines, have also helped reduce the demic, the U.S. testing strategy was have minimized disruptions. sions in public health messaging,
severity of the disease. • Misinformation and Polarization: trust in science, and preparedness
• Despite these improvements, a disaster. The Centers for Disease The pandemic became heavily po- for future health emergencies.
Control and Prevention (CDC)
COVID-19 is still causing deaths developed a flawed test, creating a liticized, particularly in the U.S. With current changes in reduc-
worldwide, and experts stress that significant bottleneck. Experts now Public health measures like mask ing federal workforce, there are 500
the virus is far from gone, with lo- agree that testing should be more mandates and vaccines became di- less professional in CDC and 1000
calized infection waves continuing widely available through the pri- visive, with misinformation playing less professionals in NIH, we will be
to occur. vate sector. a significant role. This polarization at a higher risk and face many chal-
Successes: • Missteps in Mask Guidance: There led to a tragic disparity in death lenges to respond to a next pandem-
• The rapid development of mRNA was initial resistance to acknowl- rates across political lines. ic or other public health crisis.
vaccines was one of the most sig- edging that COVID-19 could Preparedness for Future Article courtesy:
nificant scientific triumphs. Within spread through airborne particles, Pandemics: Health Camp of New Jersey
11 months of sequencing the vi- leading to confusion regarding • While the experience of

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