Designing a Science-based Strategy to Prepare for the Next Pandemic

Abstract


 For the last nearly two years, the world and its peoples have been on edge, dealing with a pandemic that killed millions of people and altered forever the lives of many others. The COVID-19 pandemic is a once in a generation event that provides an opportunity, despite its horrible impact, for us to be better prepared for future pandemics. This aim of this work is to investigate strategies that were used to combat COVID-19 and develop improved ones that will mitigate both the spread and mortality of similar episodes for the next generation. A review of public health guidance and primary literature suggests many currently used strategies were effective, but additional strategies and guidance are proposed here. These proposed strategies will improve not only preparedness, but also the responses used to tackle and defeat the next COVID pandemic.