What Is to Be Done?

ABSTRACT

Disease infections rise to epidemic threshold in local communities from which they spread spatially. Spatial diffusion within metropolitan regions enables hierarchical diffusion among metropolitan regions. Thus, preventing pandemics requires containing infection rates within local communities. Culturally isolated communities and those targeted with discriminatory policies and practices remain most vulnerable to high rates of infection. Because of long-term abuse and neglect by governmental agencies and the economic powers behind government, these communities often disobey edicts from health departments. Local health departments must engage with all communities and community components to effect pandemic prevention and response. Chapter 7 lists tactics of engagement and of organizing an efficacious pandemic response planning board. Health departments must have emergency pandemic powers. Elected executives (mayors, county executives, governors) have proven the Achilles’ heel of pandemic response. Elected executives depend on big donors and befriend ascendant capitalists, favoring them with policies and governmental funds, aka corrupt cronyism.