Articles Archives - Gordian Knot

Interesting Read on Preparations For Future Pandemics

February 20, 2021 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Disaster management will be crucial in future pandemics. Picture by Shutterstock

This Wall Street Journal article was written by Tom Frieden, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2009 to 2017. While COVID-19 preoccupies us at the moment, it is crucial to begin thinking about the next inevitable pandemics. Dr. Frieden explains that in the years after COVID-19, it is likely that another infectious disease, possibly a similar pneumonia-like illness, suddenly emerges. Will we be ready?

Comparison of Global Pandemics in the Last 100 Years

November 23, 2020 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Except for COVID-19, all global pandemics in the last century were caused by influenza viruses. Picture by Shutterstock

As part of my work for NYU’s School of Global Public Health, I have been compiling and comparing key metrics for the most severe global pandemics that occurred in the past 100 years.

I am comparing COVID-19 metrics to seasonal influenza, 1918 Spanish flu, 1957 Asian flu, 1968 Hong Kong flu, and 2009-10 H1N1. There are many similarities and differences that can be observed. Aside from the astonishing speed of vaccine development to combat COVID-19, there are three interesting findings.

Webinar: The Resurgent Chemical Weapons Threat

October 15, 2020 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

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

October 8, 2020 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

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

September 30, 2020 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

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.

Interesting Read on the First Documented Coronavirus Reinfection

August 27, 2020 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

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 24^th, 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

July 14, 2020 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

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.

New Bioterrorism and Biowarfare Threats Resulting from COVID-19

May 12, 2020 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

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

April 17, 2020 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

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.

The Race to a Vaccine

April 5, 2020 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Scientists in a high security lab. Picture by Shutterstock

While social distancing is the best way to slow the spread of Coronavirus and flatten the curve of infections to make sure that hospitals are not overwhelmed, to return to full normalcy, we need to discover, test, and administer a vaccine in large quantities. The good news is that there are currently 35 companies racing to create a vaccine and at least 52 vaccine programs underway.