Preparing for a pandemic

There is a need to engage people and allow them to make decisions about issues which directly impinge on their lives. Such engagement increases credibility and ownership. An important part of this involves full recognition of the fact epidemics and pandemics are both epidemiological crises and psycho-social crises. In many instances the “epidemic of fear” that accompanies the epidemic of a disease can totally overwhelm all everything else. In such circumstances it is critical to address and “manage” fear, hysteria and panic.

My eighth point is we need to fully understand the containment and management procedures advanced to handle a major disease outbreak, such as quarantine, isolation, increased surveillance, restricted travel, closure of public institutions and the restricted delivery of antivirals. These may in themselves contribute to the psycho-social reaction of people and communities, aggravating fear, hysteria and panic. It is also necessary to appreciate measures like home quarantine can have important short and long-term psychological consequences and that enforced isolation can breed depression and other psychological problems.

My penultimate point relates to co-ordination of the pandemic response and the need to ensure there is full co-operation between the commonwealth, states and territories. Everyone needs to march to the beat of the same drum. The sometimes tumultuous relations between the commonwealth and the states during past epidemic crises, and the fact the commonwealth, while possessing the powers to take overall responsibility for a pandemic, would still have to work through state and territory departments and agencies, does not instil too much confidence in a seamless relationship.

Finally, we need to encourage “old fashioned” concepts of personal hygiene and preventative strategies amongst the general population. Such as covering the face when sneezing or coughing, keeping hands away from the face, regular washing of hands and avoiding, as much as possible, contagious situations.