NEW INITIATIVE
Local action & ownership is the frontline of pandemic response. But there is little guidance out there designed for local leaders.
Over the past 2 weeks, a group of us have been working to start filling that gap: covidlocal.org
Local action & ownership is the frontline of pandemic response. But there is little guidance out there designed for local leaders.
Over the past 2 weeks, a group of us have been working to start filling that gap: covidlocal.org
This project provides a starting framework to help local leaders orient and organize the COVID-19 response in their own communities.
Why is local leadership so important?
Because an outbreak is not monolithic. It varies greatly depending on local decision-making (e.g. 1918👇).
Why is local leadership so important?
Because an outbreak is not monolithic. It varies greatly depending on local decision-making (e.g. 1918👇).
The tool outlines 7 initial key actions:
▶️Activate Emergency Op Center
▶️Understand real-time local spread
▶️Slow and reduce transmission
▶️Protect high-risk groups
▶️Reinforce/expand health system
▶️Enhance risk communication
▶️Mitigate econ & social impacts
▶️Activate Emergency Op Center
▶️Understand real-time local spread
▶️Slow and reduce transmission
▶️Protect high-risk groups
▶️Reinforce/expand health system
▶️Enhance risk communication
▶️Mitigate econ & social impacts
For each key action, the tool recommends a set of initial steps, important planning questions to consider, and a set of technical resources.
It also outlines a checklist that local leaders can use to quickly gauge their community-level readiness:
This is not perfect tool; it is a starting point for iteration and improvement. We are considering this the beta-version, and will be amending and updating it as we seek and compile feedback from state/local end-users.
**We are eager for feedback on how it can be improved**
**We are eager for feedback on how it can be improved**
This will be a long fight, and we will adapt the tool as communities learn more and as the nature of the fight evolves.
Right now, the focus is on slowing transmission, flattening the curve, and thus protecting hospitals and saving lives. That's the immediate focus of the tool.
Right now, the focus is on slowing transmission, flattening the curve, and thus protecting hospitals and saving lives. That's the immediate focus of the tool.
If the country succeeds in this over the next 2-3 months (yes, it's likely to be months, not weeks), the local strategy will shift to a posture of aggressive localized suppression of the virus. We will update the tool accordingly as things move toward that phase.
Please disseminate widely, and please send us feedback via the site.
Finally, huge appreciation to the core team that pulled this together in amazing time: @BethCameron_DC @RebeccaKatz5 @_JessicaABell @TalusAnalytics and amazing contributors/reviewers incl @ashishkjha @JenniferNuzzo @juliettekayyem @C_R_Watson @nattyray11 @timmy315 @dylanbgeorge
