Recently, a team of climate-health researchers penned a paper in PNAS regarding the probability of the occurrence of novel epidemics (https://www.pnas.org/content/118/35/e2105482118). The team includes Dr. Marco Marani (Padova University), Dr. Gabriel Katul (Duke University), Dr. William Pan (Duke University), and Dr. Anthony Parolari (Marquette University). Their article caught the attention of staff from California Senator Diane Feinstein’s office who are leading an effort to pass a “National Commission on the COVID-19 Pandemic Act.” This bipartisan Commission will have the objective of identifying lessons to be learned regarding U.S. preparedness, response, and recovery to epidemic events. In particular, such National Commission will be charged with:
(1) conducting an investigating of all relevant facts and circumstances regarding the novel coronavirus disease ‘‘COVID–19’’ outbreak;
(2) identifying and examining lessons learned regarding pandemic preparedness, response, and recovery efforts by the Federal Government and State, local, and Tribal governments, and international partners;
(3) submitting to the President and Congress, and make publicly available, findings, conclusions, and recommendations to improve the ability of the United States to prepare for, detect, prevent, and, if necessary, respond to and recover from epidemics and pandemics such as COVID–19.
This team of researchers is of the opinion that the proposed National Commission will improve preparedness to future epidemics in the US and elsewhere. They are seeking signatories who share this opinion. If you share these views they invite you to consider signing the letter of support (linked here), which is attached and you can add your name to the signature list here https://forms.gle/wpyVHU4oFsc7Vi2i7
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. William Pan: william.pan@duke.edu