The Next Outbreak, We're Not Ready - Bill Gates Speaks in 2015

[SeaBreeze]

In 2014, the world avoided a horrific global outbreak of Ebola, thanks to thousands of selfless health workers -- plus, frankly, thanks to some very good luck. In hindsight, we know what we should have done better. So, now's the time, Bill Gates suggests, to put all our good ideas into practice, from scenario planning to vaccine research to health worker training. As he says, "There's no need to panic ... but we need to get going."

 

[StarSong]

Many of us hope that this painful lesson will be a seminal moment for governments and humans. Perhaps far less business travel, more telecommuting, generous global funding in anticipation of future outbreaks, good information flow and blame-free responses when they occur, and an understanding that nature can begin to heal after just a few weeks of humans backing off.

Even the darkest clouds have at least one silver lining. We only need to look for them.