According to the Global Health Security Index, the United States has long been one of the most prepared and secure nations when it comes to the prevention, detection, and response to infectious diseases. However, the COVID-19 response in the United States has lacked a coordinated effort between the scientific community and the leaders in charge of implementing public health procedures for a host of reasons. This has led to an absence of consistent messaging and a concern for loss of trust in both the leaders and science.
One Goal, One Coordinated Team
For decades the nation has benefited from a strong relationship between political leaders and a robust network of researchers, clinical physicians, and public health servants – like the experts at ID Care. This relationship allowed the United States to dedicate itself fully to identifying and combating public health concerns, big or small. However, more recently, this collaboration and coordination between science and leadership has faltered, putting the United States at risk for a discoordinated process with many mixed messages that have played out publicly in the media. This has led to a confused and suspicious public response, varying in approach depending on location.
Coming Together
When it comes to COVID-19, or any pandemic, it is crucial for leadership to follow the findings of science before the general public can trust that science. That’s because researchers and infectious disease specialists aren’t at the forefront of public health decisions; political leaders are. Open communication and mutual respect between both parties is crucial in giving the public the proper information needed to remain safe.
As we move into the tenth month of this unprecedented pandemic, COVID-19 continues to chug along unaware of all the noise that surrounds it. It’s goal is simple: to spread. Our job should be just as simple: to stop it. And this job belongs to both science and leadership alike. We must work together to limit the consequences of COVID-19. The failure to do so will only lead to prolonging the pandemic.