ABSTRACT
The recent Coronavirus pandemic challenged almost every facet of our lives. Our Federalist system of government, parallel efforts between the public health and emergency management communities, the role of the private sector and the limitations of our existing supply chain management systems identified strengths and weaknesses inherent in our response and recovery efforts. The United States attempted to adapt plans from other successful public health emergencies, but sheer scale of the operation overwhelmed our systems. The traditional legal tools of laws, regulations, and policies at times supported each other and at other times conflicted with each other. The public effort was supported by the U.S. model of private sector healthcare, but the patchwork system of hospital, clinics, and private practitioners was overtaxed. Our emergency plans are based on rational solutions and identify intended actions. The pandemic was similar to other disasters that require a certain amount of improvisation and ingenuity to solve problems when the plans were not adequate. Our system amended administrative procedures, adapted facilities, developed alternate supply chains, and invoked novel solutions to immediate issues of public health and safety. This disaster showcased the need for the science (deliberate planning) and art (improvisation) of emergency management.
