Come join a free, live webinar on the resurgent chemical weapons threat on November 17, from 12:00 – 1:30PM EST, hosted by George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government. This event is sponsored by the Biodefense Graduate Program.
The Climate Connection
Climate change increases the risk of new epidemics. Picture by Shutterstock/ diy13
I originally created this blog as a way to spread awareness of the importance of public health preparedness, as it was an undervalued and underfunded topic. However, times have changed and public health and emergency management are at the forefront of news and public policy today as a result of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Disaster Plan Templates for Healthcare Organizations
Free templates available for COVID-19 disaster plans!
If you are working for a healthcare organization and are looking for a COVID-19 disaster plan, you can now download a template using the link below.
Freely available to any organization, COVID-19 disaster plan templates were created by 30 students from schools across NYU including Medicine, Nursing, Public Service, Social Work and Global Public Health.
History of Public Health in Germany
Prof. Dr. Manfred Wildner, MD, MPH
The history of public health in Germany is inseparably intertwined with German historic events and public figures. I was able to learn about it from two experts in this field: Prof. Dr. Manfred Wildner and his colleague Dr. Herbert Zöllner, who are both based in Munich, Germany.
Interesting Read on the First Documented Coronavirus Reinfection
COVID-19 reinfections are now documented in several countries. Picture by Shutterstock/ Lightspring
The first documented Coronavirus reinfection was reported in Hong Kong on August 24th, 2020. Experts say this finding was not unexpected, “especially given the millions of people who have been infected worldwide”. While there have been many presumed cases of reinfection, this case was the first to be confirmed.
Release of 2019 Country Reports on Terrorism
The Bureau of Counterterrorism’s mission is to promote U.S. national security.
The United States State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism has just released the 2019 Country Reports on Terrorism.
This report on terrorism around the world is released every year and highlights the successes and the continuous threats international and domestic terrorism pose to almost 100 countries.
The Hong Kong Government’s Approach to Bioterror and Pandemic Preparedness
Hong Kong is well prepared for any kind of biothreat. Picture by Shutterstock
Since the Hong Kong health system is often an important gatekeeper with regard to pandemics, I was interested to find out how the government structures preparedness efforts for both unintentional and intentional biological incidents.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, I spoke to a senior officer who is working for the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). We discussed the Hong Kong Government’s approach to bioterror and public health preparedness.
Harvard Online Course “Readings in Global Health”
How can you learn more about global public health? Picture by Shutterstock/ Imageflow
Since the COVID-19 epidemic has raised awareness for global public health in general and pandemic outbreaks in particular, many, especially young people of my generation, might want to learn more about this field. I wanted to share and review one of the first online courses in public health I completed, which provided a perfect introduction to the topic for me.
New Bioterrorism and Biowarfare Threats Resulting from COVID-19
The devastation of the world economy by the coronavirus crisis might inspire potential terrorists. Picture by Shutterstock
As the coronavirus spreads around the world, we can only now see the destructive path it has taken and the devastating effects the virus has on economies and lives alike. The damage of the coronavirus has been “quick and enormous – much greater than 9/11 – and worldwide”, with the virus destroying “economies, governments, and technical infrastructures of the world’s most advanced economies”[1].
Summer Workshop: Pandemics, Bioterrorism, and Global Health Security
Update: This year’s summer workshop on Pandemics, Bioterrorism, and Global Health Security was cancelled. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Schar School of Policy and Government of George Mason University has cancelled all on-campus events through mid-August.