Translating Lessons learnt from Past Pandemics

This page collects observations, interpretations, and consequences for action about Translating Lessons Learnt of SARS-CoV2. Please observe the structure of the page, when you add your content. Please use references where possible. Remember to find the relevant page. For example, if your observation is about Sources, please use that page, instead of posting your content here.

What is already known

• There are not yet formal 'Lessons learned' this early in the Pandemic

Keeping Track of the Economic Burden

Observations

• From previous Pandemics, we learned gradually what the burden to society has been.
• Currently, we observe reluctance of leaders to take far-reaching decisions, moving very carefully forward, guided day by day by 'how the situation evolves'.
• Apart from the direct cost from illness and mortality that mainly affects the health sector, there is the indirect cost from "aversion" behaviour (measures taken to prevent

infection). A unique situation in developed countries.

Analysis and interpretation

• Far-reaching interventions may be necessary, but difficult to take because the costs of those decisions are more visible to the leaders than the benefits that interventions may have.
• Creating evidence of economic costs to society of pandemics, especially in comparison of different interventions, will be very helpful in training leaders to be prepared for future challenges

Consequences for action

• Collect materials for a case study on economic costs of the pandemic