2019 CDC Drill Identified Pandemic Response Shortcomings
The year 2020 will likely be regarded in the annals of history as the year of the coronavirus, but ironically, a CDC drill conducted just 9 months prior to the outbreak foreshadowed the problems the U.S. and other countries have had effectively responding to the crisis.
What the 2019 CDC Drill Revealed
The CDC drill – affectionately-named “Crimson Contagion” – focused on the scenario of a novel flu virus that caused 14,000 deaths globally. It had a good level of participation, with representatives from 15 states and multiple state and federal agencies including the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
The findings and lessons learned from the drill sound very familiar:
- There was a decent amount of confusion among and between the various parties, especially regarding the question, ‘who is in charge’?
- Hospitals were struggling to find, and maintain, adequate supplies and equipment, including PPE.
- Testing resources could not keep up with demand.
- The state agencies were not aligned / coordinated in terms of school closing mandates.
- There was a shortage of child care services for first responders and medical personnel.
- Parties agreed that social distancing tactics are the most effective way to control the spread.
The CDC drill also correctly foreshadowed other aspects of the 2020 coronavirus outbreak, including the fact that it originated from China. The participants either had a crystal ball, or very strong expertise, data and analysis that pointed to this inevitable scenario.
Sadly, the exact scenario we are dealing with as of April 2020 was predicted, almost precisely, just 9 months ago, and nobody listened. It doesn’t matter how prepared you are, if recommendations, protocols and procedures are ignored, the effort is going to be for naught.
It’s a shame, because the CDC drill provided the blueprint that no one saw. Hopefully, if this ever happens again, we will be much better prepared.
