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I don't remember a H1N1, SARS, or MERS outbreak in the US. Borders are absolutely a defense, they're just not an absolute defense. That SARS-CoV-2 was able to
by ethbro 7y ago
I don't remember a H1N1, SARS, or MERS outbreak in the US.
Borders are absolutely a defense, they're just not an absolute defense.
That SARS-CoV-2 was able to spread globally as a pandemic has more to do with its transmissibility and latency characteristics.
- danans 7y ago> That SARS-CoV-2 was able to spread globally as a pandemic has more to do with its transmissibility and latency characteristics. Which is what proves that the US isn't unassailable from a pandemic. It would be a mistake to assume that SARS-CoV-2 or something with similar ability to breach geographical barriers won't occur again. Also, nature doesn't care about political entities, and a pandemic could also start in the US.
- ethbro 7y agoIt isn't, but it would generally be a waste of resources to overprepare for something that has a low probability of happening. In the same way it would be to fortify both coasts. Budgeting is a zero sum game. Stockpiles of essential PPE, sure. Pervasive monitoring for early detection? Not worth it.