Preserving capacity, General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, Keys to Canadian SAR
Issue link: http://vanguardcanada.uberflip.com/i/1246413
30 APRIL/MAY 2020 www.vanguardcanada.com How security and preparedness should adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 Greater COOperatIOn Is It tIme for Amid An ErA of SElf iSolAtion? T he decisions of John Poyer, the 12th Naval Governor of American Samoa, are widely praised the annals of pub- lic health history. Hearing through radio services of the devastating impact of the Spanish Influenza epidemic in Western Samoa, Poyer made the deci- sion to fully quarantine American Samoa. The decision led to authorities in Western Samoa cutting off communications with the American controlled side, but it also saw no flu-related fatalities within Poyer's quarantine zone. Poyer won the Navy Cross for his actions. This case is often cited to justify quar- antine measures during viral outbreaks. However, the methods of using quaran- tine as an effective public health strategy during pandemics has a history of mixed results. Quarantines are ancient methods of public health interventions dating back to the book of Leviticus (500 B.C), and with them come ancient problems. Ensur- ing good health, order, and economic ac- tivity during a quarantine has never been easily managed. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic ordinances of sheltering in place, self-isolation, and social distancing have effectively derailed a globally con- nected, and globally dependent economy, leaving hundreds of millions of people out of work and facing uncertain times. The question is then how can govern- ments and militaries respond to such mod- ern-day global health emergencies, ensure some level of economic and social prosper- ity, while remaining vigilant against secu- rity threats? Some have suggested that a whole-of-government approach should be used to incorporate disaster management protocols from pandemic planning. What does this look like, and in what ways could there be benefits and challenges with such an approach? Some lessons for pandemic management may be learned from the core principles of emergency preparedness protocols. First, much like the response to an international disaster, governments benefit by structur- ing their actions through cooperation and collaboration with each other to address a problem, rather than through competition and isolation against a presumed enemy. Second, much like a natural disaster, secu- rity threats change in a pandemic, and as such, defence forces should be vigilant to By RoBeRt HuisH