Farsightedness can sometimes go a short way. Yes, global infectious disease outbreak-fighting mechanisms were in place prior to COVID-19. Yet as the past six months have shown us, even the most farsighted countries were in fact shortsighted with regard to the COVID-19 peril. It goes without saying that we need a global repair of pandemic preparedness processes. In this brilliant analysis by McKinsey, novel strategies are proposed to bolster a quick and effective response to the next pandemic. “Always on” systems must be designed to rapidly scale at the first signs of the next outbreak, signs which must be subject to more intense global monitoring. A renaissance of infectious disease R&D, coupled with a non-negotiable global prevention agenda, must come together and enable a rapid deployment of targeted treatment without overwhelming essential healthcare services.
