opinion: what we can learn from covid-19 to prepare for the next influenza pandemic

rather than revisiting the successes and failures of the most recent global pandemic, learning from the experience is more crucial.

by cameron groome

published dec 20, 2024

3 minute read

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3 minute read

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examples from the covid-19 pandemic should be used to prepare for the next global health crisis, instead of as a weapon to divide our communities. getty images

the first human case of the avian flu was confirmed in british columbia last month, sending a teenager from the fraser valley to hospital in critical condition. while no other cases of the contagious viral infection have been detected so far, we may not be so fortunate next time. recall that covid-19 paralyzed the world with a case fatality rate of under one per cent. in contrast, the case fatality rate of the h5n1 avian flu strain is as high as 50 per cent. this is no mild infection. it isn’t the time to downplay this potentially deadly virus, and as a country, we must get ready to face an influenza pandemic.

rather than revisiting the successes and failures of the most recent global pandemic, learning from the experience is more crucial. we must acknowledge our limitations and embrace our humanity to respond effectively to crises and avoid fracturing the increasingly fragile social contracts foundational to canada. to illustrate covid-19’s lessons, let’s look to greek mythology.

first up, heed cassandra. cassandra could foresee the future but was cursed to be ignored. we need to start heeding well-reasoned warnings, and not just from so-called experts. it would be wise to listen to everyone who has well-supported and actionable ideas about how best to foresee and plan for an h5n1 outbreak.

second, forgive pandora. pandora’s curiosity led her to open a box filled with evils, despite warnings. similarly, during covid, we saw people gathering openly or secretly, even when told not to. let’s stop expecting that to change and instead, like pandora, focus on hope – the only thing left in the box after the evils poured out. in short, let’s focus on mitigating, not castigating.

third, remember icarus. icarus flew too close to the sun with wings of wax and feathers, leading to his fall. true leaders should learn from his arrogance. frankly, i pity the next politician who even whispers the words “lockdown” or “mandate” in lieu of better preparations. staying aloft during the next pandemic will take more wisdom and skill – leaders will need to plan and persuade rather than hector and compel.

fourth, be smart like heracles. heracles, though a demigod hero, completed 12 impossible, near-deadly tasks not by being strong but by asking for help. coping with a pandemic far more lethal than covid will require much more cooperation than last time. we aren’t superheroes and can’t afford to be too proud to ask for assistance.

that leads us to these takeaways:

pandemics are coming. our interconnected world makes frequent pandemics inevitable. h5n1 is just the most immediate threat. the cassandras are right that pandora’s box is already wide open, so let’s foresee and plan accordingly.

prepare now. hope is essential but cannot be substituted for preparation. our preparations must include constructive and rational communication strategies, action plans and domestic sourcing of critical materials. it can take years to build capacity to produce modern diagnostics, drugs, ppe and vaccines. being arrogant like icarus will slow progress and lead to a similar fall.

ask for help. modern healthcare delivery requires detailed supply chain planning and disciplined cooperation between multiple stakeholders. like heracles, our leaders must ask for help before a crisis hits. if a demigod wasn’t too proud to ask the locals for a hand, public officials charged with pandemic response logistics shouldn’t be, either. if canada is to succeed with the impossible task of responding to the next pandemic, identifying and engaging with all who can help must start now.

cameron groome is ceo & president of microbix biosystems inc., an ontario-based and tsx-listed company that creates, manufactures and exports testing-related medical devices.