COVID-19 Is Not the Only Threat We Face: Emergency Management in the Time of Pandemic

Abstract

Throughout the Spring and Summer of 2020 the United States was in the midst of a public health crisis unprecedented in the lifetimes of all but a few thousand centenarians. During this time, most of the country was in some stage of self-imposed quarantine, the economy was ravaged, and by the end of September, the death toll exceeded 200,000 (CDC, 2020). At the height of the pandemic, many hospitals quickly reached and then exceeded capacity, healthcare workers were stretched to the breaking point, and resources such as test kits, ventilators, gowns, and masks were in short supply. To prevent the spread of the virus, communities practiced social distancing, wearing face masks, and other practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Self-quarantining for 14 days was also recommended if there was reason to believe that a person had been in contact with someone carrying the virus. Demographic factors played a role in vulnerability to the virus with people in poverty, those over 65 years of age, and those of color and ethnicity particularly vulnerable. Although the impacts of COVID-19 have been devastating, an on-going pandemic does not preclude the co-occurrence of other extreme events such as hurricanes, major infrastructure failures, or industrial accidents. During a recent webinair on extreme events and the COVID-19 pandemic sponsored by the National Academies,