Pandemics

The COVID-19 death toll is probably 30% larger than reported. It has been underreported for a variety of reasons: fewer primary care physicians, less access to health insurance, more people dying at home, and political motivations.

The handling of pandemic was overly politicized by national/local jurisdictions preventing effective containment of the disease. An effective approach requires serious global coordination. Unless a disease is controlled everywhere, mutants can develop and return to areas of containment.

Suggestions:

Have the UN and WHO establish/strengthen guidelines and means for assessing global health threats and the sharing of information.

Give the WHO authority to implement across international boundaries quarantine measures and coordinate access to necessary medical equipment and supplies.

Establish guidelines and resourcing strategies to development and disperse vaccines and other necessary medications to prevent and control outbreaks.