News Release

Waiting for Godot Metaphor

More questions than answers

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

The "Waiting for Godot Metaphor" for the COVID-19 response is carried forward and in an "Epilogue" a series of questions that have no clear answer are used to guide the discussion.

The lead question examines the justification of the WHO Declaration of a Pandemic back in March in light of the heightened socio-economic damage that followed in it's wake.

To more objectively provide an answer to help in future events, a gradated Pandemic Index is suggested and a rudimentary example presented as an initial effort in an ongoing developmental process. On a linear 10-point scale (10 most severe) it is suggested that COVID-19 would be a 2-3.

Other questions addressed are: What is the usefulness of the COVID-19 PCR test?; Does the risk (of COVID-19) justify the level of fear?, and; What is the consequence of a herd immunity (HI) effect?

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About the Journal

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness is the first comprehensive and authoritative journal emphasizing public health preparedness and disaster response for all health care and public health professionals globally. The journal seeks to translate science into practice and integrate medical and public health perspectives. DMPHP is the official journal of the Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health.

About the Society

The Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health aims to evolve a discipline around disaster medicine and public health. The society's goal is to improve global health security, with the involvement and development of global health professionals and others who are involved in responding to and or managing significant events. The mission of the SDMPH is to advance and promote excellence in education, training and research in disaster medicine and public health for all potential health system responders based on sound educational principles, scientific evidence and best clinical and public health practices.


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