As the Trump administration prepares to take office, it faces a pivotal moment to leverage hard-earned lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and build a more resilient, pandemic-prepared nation. The challenges of managing the first year of COVID-19 exposed critical vulnerabilities in our fragmented public health infrastructure and decentralized healthcare system. The administration is now uniquely positioned to prioritize pandemic preparedness as a matter of national security. This proactive approach is more important than ever, particularly given the current threat posed by H5N1 avian influenza, which is spreading rapidly among wild birds – among other species and causing outbreaks in U.S. poultry and dairy herds. Recent human cases among farmworkers exposed to infected livestock further underscore the urgency of this threat.
Learning from COVID-19: A Path Forward
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted gaps in our pandemic preparedness and response capabilities, particularly in terms of the partisan gap where personal political affiliation contributed to excess deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic (right-wing "red" counties had higher death rates during the pandemic than more left-wing "blue" counties) and an individual’s responsiveness to follow public health guidance such as wearing a mask or getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Now is the time to bridge that divide and build a unified approach to future public health threats. After all, it was the success of "Operation Warp Speed" under the Trump administration that accelerated the development of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. Acknowledging and building on such successes can help us better prepare for the challenges ahead.
Our collective pandemic experience as a nation offers valuable insights into the kind of strategic planning needed to address future health emergencies, which there will be many to come. By applying these lessons, the new administration can recommit to strengthening our biodefense infrastructure, ensuring that the nation is prepared for the next outbreak or pandemic. Already, the H5N1 bird flu outbreak is testing our preparedness systems, with cases detected in 473 infected dairy herds across 15 states and at least 46 confirmed human cases across 6 states. While the current risk to the general public remains low, with no confirmed human-to-human transmission detected, the virus's ability to spread among animals presents a warning signal that cannot be ignored. There is still time to act decisively to prevent this from escalating into a larger crisis.
Empowering a Whole-of-Government Response
Looking ahead, the administration has a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate leadership by reinforcing investments in pandemic preparedness. This includes empowering the new Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy “charged with leading, coordinating, and implementing actions related to preparedness for, and response to, known and unknown biological threats or pathogens that could lead to a pandemic or to significant public health-related disruptions in the United States. Additionally, committing to the new Global Health Security Strategy and reaffirming the U.S. leadership in global health security will be crucial. The new policy governing oversight of dual-use research and pathogens with pandemic potential and associated implementation guidance that was informed by the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) where I am a member of and Co-Chaired the Working Group to Review and Evaluate Potential Pandemic Pathogen Care and Oversight (P3CO) Policy represents another critical area for commitment and investment.
A robust strategy must include bridging the partisan divide, restoring trust in science, and fostering partnerships across federal, state, and local agencies. These efforts will not only protect public health but also strengthen national security. By focusing on preparedness and response, we can safeguard both our economy and communities from future disruptions.
A Renewed Commitment to Protecting Americans
The challenges of the past four years have underscored the vital importance of preparation, coordination, and resilience. By adopting a forward-thinking approach to biodefense, the Trump administration has the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to protecting American lives and reinforcing global health security. Now is the moment to invest in public health infrastructure and ensure we are equipped to face the challenges ahead. This is an opportunity to translate past lessons into actionable strategies that will safeguard our nation’s health and security. With strong, competent leadership and a renewed focus on pandemic preparedness, the administration can solidify America’s role as a global leader in health security.
