Re:How the World’s Richest Country Ran Out of Face Masks
by ethbro on Wednesday March 25, 2020 @11:36PM
(#22690610)
I don't remember a H1N1, SARS, or MERS outbreak in the US.
Borders are absolutely a defense, they're just not an absolute defense.
That SARS-CoV-2 was able to spread globally as a pandemic has more to do with its transmissibility and latency characteristics.
Re:How the World’s Richest Country Ran Out of Face Masks
by danans on Thursday March 26, 2020 @01:55PM
(#22696099)
> That SARS-CoV-2 was able to spread globally as a pandemic has more to do with its transmissibility and latency characteristics.
Which is what proves that the US isn't unassailable from a pandemic. It would be a mistake to assume that SARS-CoV-2 or something with similar ability to breach geographical barriers won't occur again. Also, nature doesn't care about political entities, and a pandemic could also start in the US.
Re:How the World’s Richest Country Ran Out of Face Masks
by ethbro on Thursday March 26, 2020 @06:15PM
(#22698526)
It isn't, but it would generally be a waste of resources to overprepare for something that has a low probability of happening. In the same way it would be to fortify both coasts.
Budgeting is a zero sum game.
Stockpiles of essential PPE, sure. Pervasive monitoring for early detection? Not worth it.
And COVID19 is turning that assumption on its head. The only question that remains is whether the US can buttress what's left of its public health institutions to keep it at bay, and prepare for the next wave that comes, whether of this pandemic or the next one.