From the new blog called HazardDoc: Presidential Disaster Declarations and the Politics of Need.
Note: Author Susan Cutter and the Diva are co-editors of the recent book U.S. Emergency Management in the 21st Century; from Disaster to Catastrophe, which is now on sale.
From HSDL: Challenges and Opportunities of Reopening Efforts
In addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, the Brookings Institution published a new report, Reopening America and the World, providing an assessment of current efforts in restarting the economy and social institutions. As COVID-19 continues to shutter local businesses and communities, Brookings aims to contribute to the reopening debate by engaging in the most pressing topics of public health, economic revival, and social equality.
Significantly, the report emphasizes numerous points of concern, as well as some examples of success that became apparent in the midst of the global response to COVID-19. In particular, the implementation of heightened hygiene considerations and social distancing measures appear to be at the core of successful reduction of viral transmission. Furthermore, the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as enhanced healthcare capacity for testing and treatment remain essential in all reopening efforts during the pandemic.
From the Boston Globe: The Virus’s Tale – Track the Coronavirus in Massachusetts to its roots.
The Diva has posted several articles about the failings of several federal agencies, but here is a chilling account of early failures by public officials and medical experts in MA.
From TheHill: The island that can save America
As we focus on rebuilding our formerly vibrant pharmaceutical manufacturing base, policymakers should remember the place where so much of it was once located: Puerto Rico. That began to change in 1996, when federal tax policy spurred manufacturers to move out of Puerto Rico to foreign countries with cheap labor and low taxes, like China and India.
Puerto Rico can still offer immediate solutions to the current crisis, however, if the administration and Congress use the next relief package to create economic incentives to address two urgent needs at once: re-domesticating pharmaceutical manufacturing and stimulating the Puerto Rican economy.
From the Seattle Times: Embracing a new reality: Coronavirus may never go away, even with a vaccine
Consider the public policies and actions that will be needed.
Pandemic and Disaster: Insights from Seventy Years of Social Science Disaster Research
Inaugurating the “Disaster Studies” theme of our “Covid-19 and the Social Sciences” series, Kathleen Tierney reflects on how major findings from social science research on disasters can help to contextualize and frame our understanding of the Covid-19 pandemic. In particular, she looks at the importance of communication to the influence of social responses in hazardous circumstances, reminding us that society tends toward social solidarity, rather than disorganization and panic, in times of crises. Though many social practices, such as scapegoating, can further tear the fabric of society, disasters reveal and amplify not only inequality and vulnerability, but also potential strength. In moving forward, it will be vital to learn the lessons research on both aspects have to offer.
From the NY times: Virus Crisis Exposes Cascading Weaknesses in U.S. Disaster Response. Thanks to Jim Dooley for the citation.
We have know for some time that in the event of a hazardous material threat or a health threat/disaster, the use of many older paid and volunteer helpers would be a problem.
From the GAO blog, this excellent article titled The Coronavirus Response: Lessons Learned from The Past
CDC Activities and Initiatives Supporting the COVID-19 Response and the President’s Plan for Opening America Up Again May 2020. Apparently this 60-page document is the final version but it does not include guidance for houses of worship.
As of May 21: Reopening guidance for churches delayed after White House and CDC disagree
But there are currently no plans to issue guidance for religious institutions, according to three administration officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss policy decisions.
As of Friday afternoon, May 22: Interim Guidance for Administrators and Leaders of Community- and Faith-Based Organizations to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Note from the Diva: Private sources have provided Guidance on Reopening Faith-Based Organizations — it can can be found on my other site, Disastersandfaith.wordpress.com
Recovery Diva 