Critic-Course PJ:IR WK3

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Whether Pandemic Planning and Response is Necessary

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Whether Pandemic Planning and Response is Necessary

In recent years, the world has been confronted with the pandemic of a lifetime, the

COVID-19 virus. In order to effectively address this global health crisis, governments worldwide

have enacted pandemic planning and response strategies. I choose to examine whether pandemic

planning and response are necessary because the global pandemic has revealed the importance of

effective pandemic planning and response. In this essay, I will discuss three aspects of pandemic

planning and response that indicate why it is necessary to plan and respond to pandemics: the

role of governments in pandemic planning and response, a global collaboration to enhance

pandemic planning and response, and the impact of technology on pandemic planning and

response.

The role of governments in pandemic planning and response has become increasingly

important in recent years with the rise of infectious diseases and the increasing impact of

globalization. Governments play a vital role in pandemic planning and response and must be

equipped with the necessary resources and expertise to ensure effective and timely action.

Global collaboration is essential to effectively plan and respond to pandemics that can

span across countries and continents. Collaboration involves sharing information and resources,

including epidemiological data, laboratory testing materials, and vaccine research. By pooling

resources and expertise, countries can be better prepared to identify and respond to potential

pandemics and develop effective treatments and prevention strategies. Additionally, global

collaboration allows countries to share best practices, such as early detection, surveillance, and

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reporting. Therefore, global collaboration is essential for pandemic planning, and response and

thus should be encouraged and promoted.

The impact of technology during a pandemic can be seen in many different aspects.

According to a comprehensive literature review, technology has been used to track and monitor

the spread of pandemics, detect the presence of a virus, and allow for efficient communication

between health personnel and the public (Whitelaw et al., 2020). Technology has enabled rapid

responses to outbreaks and allowed the development of effective strategies to mitigate the impact

of pandemics. Technology can also be used to inform the public about the latest news regarding

the pandemic and provide access to online resources to help those affected. In short, technology

can be seen as an invaluable tool for pandemic planning and response, allowing for more

effective strategies to be implemented quickly and efficiently.

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References

S Whitelaw., MA Mamas., E Topol."Applications of digital technology in COVID-19 pandemic

planning and response. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/

S2589750020301424