Ten ways in which we're not ready for the next pandemic:
1
Most people now think that the way to deal with a pandemic is pretend there is no pandemic.
Most people now think that the way to deal with a pandemic is pretend there is no pandemic.
2
A lot of people think that the way to get a pandemic over is for everyone to get sick
A lot of people think that the way to get a pandemic over is for everyone to get sick
3
Most people don't understand how disease transmission works.
Most people don't understand how disease transmission works.
4
I mean *any* transmission, we're not even talking about airborne transmission.
I mean *any* transmission, we're not even talking about airborne transmission.
5
And they *definitely* don't understand that.
And they *definitely* don't understand that.
6
Most people now think that if 'most people' don't die from something, then it's harmless.
Most people now think that if 'most people' don't die from something, then it's harmless.
7
Most people are more than happy to get rid of a few people anyway.
Most people are more than happy to get rid of a few people anyway.
8
We're too busy pretending the current pandemic is over to deal with another one.
We're too busy pretending the current pandemic is over to deal with another one.
9
Politicians are now allergic to telling people bad news.
Politicians are now allergic to telling people bad news.
10
Muh freedom.
Muh freedom.
11
The WHO spent four years telling everyone that covid was definitely not airborne, up until the point where they felt no one was bothered about catching it, at which point they told us it was definitely airborne all along.
The WHO spent four years telling everyone that covid was definitely not airborne, up until the point where they felt no one was bothered about catching it, at which point they told us it was definitely airborne all along.
12
Strangely, no one now trusts the WHO.
Strangely, no one now trusts the WHO.
13
Pharmaceutical companies have figured out that there's more money in treating people damaged by a pandemic than there is in preventing or stopping a pandemic.
Pharmaceutical companies have figured out that there's more money in treating people damaged by a pandemic than there is in preventing or stopping a pandemic.
14
Governments have not figured out that there's more value in preventing a pandemic than letting it rip.
Governments have not figured out that there's more value in preventing a pandemic than letting it rip.
15
In fact, several politicians have said they got covid wrong and they should have just let it rip.
In fact, several politicians have said they got covid wrong and they should have just let it rip.
16
And countries are run by politicians.
And countries are run by politicians.
17
A pandemic pathogen is by definition something that would be spreading if people are going about their normal lives.
A pandemic pathogen is by definition something that would be spreading if people are going about their normal lives.
17b
And people have wholeheartedly demonstrated that they would rather die than ever do anything differently again.
And people have wholeheartedly demonstrated that they would rather die than ever do anything differently again.
17c
Literally.
Literally.
18
Very few people understand that there are more than two outcomes to getting ill.
Most think that you either
die
or
recover fully.
Very few people understand that there are more than two outcomes to getting ill.
Most think that you either
die
or
recover fully.
18b
They just can't get their heads around the idea that something can really screw you up without killing you.
They just can't get their heads around the idea that something can really screw you up without killing you.
19
There's a whole army of professors ready and waiting to downplay concerns at every stage.
There's a whole army of professors ready and waiting to downplay concerns at every stage.
20
We've decided kids are expendable.
We've decided kids are expendable.
21
And old people, which is basically anyone who isn't a child.
And old people, which is basically anyone who isn't a child.
22
As long as they're *someone else*.
As long as they're *someone else*.
23
Especially healthcare workers and teachers for some reason, although everyone is expendable to some degree.
Especially healthcare workers and teachers for some reason, although everyone is expendable to some degree.
24
People have been convinced that mitigations against disease are more harmful than diseases.
People have been convinced that mitigations against disease are more harmful than diseases.
25
And that catching a disease is inevitable, so it's better to catch it sooner than later.
And that catching a disease is inevitable, so it's better to catch it sooner than later.
26
And that the best way to deal with infectious disease is just to let your immune system handle it.
And that the best way to deal with infectious disease is just to let your immune system handle it.
27
Without apparently thinking through any of the consequences of that way of living, and without considering any historical context.
Without apparently thinking through any of the consequences of that way of living, and without considering any historical context.
28
People are almost permanently stuck in denial or toxic positivity or both.
People are almost permanently stuck in denial or toxic positivity or both.
29
Despite all of the learning opportunities that have been presented, hardly anyone understands exponential growth.
Despite all of the learning opportunities that have been presented, hardly anyone understands exponential growth.
30
Despite all of the learning opportunities, hardly anyone has learned that deaths lag behind hospitalisations, which lag behind illness, which lags behind infection.
Despite all of the learning opportunities, hardly anyone has learned that deaths lag behind hospitalisations, which lag behind illness, which lags behind infection.
31
And that disability lasts even further behind them all.
And that disability lasts even further behind them all.
32
Just like Trump said, if you don't count it, it just goes away, and governments have become experts at not counting.
Just like Trump said, if you don't count it, it just goes away, and governments have become experts at not counting.
33
And at not publishing data.
And at not publishing data.
34
And at publishing it with their own misleading spin put on it.
And at publishing it with their own misleading spin put on it.
35
Most people can't even tell when they themselves are getting sicker.
Most people can't even tell when they themselves are getting sicker.
36
People have very short attention spans and memories.
People have very short attention spans and memories.
37
The word 'immunity' is broken.
The word 'immunity' is broken.
38
Public health is broken.
Public health is broken.
39
Many public healthcare systems are broken.
Many public healthcare systems are broken.
40
Journalism is broken.
Journalism is broken.
41
Vaccine programs will be met with widespread resistance.
Vaccine programs will be met with widespread resistance.
42
So many things have been done badly or corruptly, like PPE acquisition or testing programs, that there will be a bloodbath as companies fight amongst themselves to bribe politicians for a space at the trough.
So many things have been done badly or corruptly, like PPE acquisition or testing programs, that there will be a bloodbath as companies fight amongst themselves to bribe politicians for a space at the trough.
43
The burden on healthcare systems is already at an extreme. There is little capacity in them.
The burden on healthcare systems is already at an extreme. There is little capacity in them.
44
The wrong people have been elevated as experts.
The wrong people have been elevated as experts.
45
Raw milk.
Raw milk.
46
You do you.
You do you.
47
The seething anger at informed people.
The seething anger at informed people.
48
The infectionists already know which lies work.
The infectionists already know which lies work.
49
Which is:
All of them.
Which is:
All of them.
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