City by City Pandemic Preparedness

Get Outlook for Android From: J Birch <Birch403@outlook.com> Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2020 6:27:12 PM To: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>; Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca <Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca>; jason.kenney@parl.gc.ca <jason.kenney@parl.gc.ca>; dujarric@un.org <dujarric@un.org>; GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca <GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca>; news@skynews.com <news@skynews.com>; tips@GlobalTVBC.com <tips@GlobalTVBC.com>; contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com <contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com>; eurohealthycities@who.int <eurohealthycities@who.int>; Secretary@HHS.gov <Secretary@HHS.gov>; Sky.Today <Sky.Today@sky.uk>; newsonline@ctv.ca <newsonline@ctv.ca>; media@gatesfoundation.org <media@gatesfoundation.org>; media@sputniknews.com <media@sputniknews.com>; govsec@nanoq.gl <govsec@nanoq.gl>; mail@australiacouncil.gov.au <mail@australiacouncil.gov.au>; accredit@gov.ru <accredit@gov.ru>; AGR.Minister@gov.bc.ca <AGR.Minister@gov.bc.ca>; HaveYourSay <haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk>; Info SC, HC Info (HC/SC) <hcinfo.infosc@canada.ca>; Info@narendramod.in <Info@narendramod.in>; antonio.ferrari@un.org <antonio.ferrari@un.org>; Info@PMOindia.gov.in <Info@PMOindia.gov.in>; premier@gov.pe.ca <premier@gov.pe.ca>; English@mail.gov.cn <English@mail.gov.cn>; europamanagement@ec.europa.eu <europamanagement@ec.europa.eu>; poststelle@bundesregierung.de-mail.de <poststelle@bundesregierung.de-mail.de>; media@ford.com <media@ford.com>; media@gatesfoundation.org <media@gatesfoundation.org>; dan@jpost.com <dan@jpost.com>; dir_enq@cso.gov.hk <dir_enq@cso.gov.hk>; Blanchet, Yves-François - Député <Yves-Francois.Blanchet@parl.gc.ca>; david.penberthy@news.com.au <david.penberthy@news.com.au>; FEMA-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov <FEMA-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov>; feedback@jpost.com <feedback@jpost.com>; fkalmbach@theadvocate.com <fkalmbach@theadvocate.com>; Francois.Legault.ASSO@assnat.qc.ca <Francois.Legault.ASSO@assnat.qc.ca>; Forsætisráðuneytið <for@for.is>; nytnews@nytimes.com <nytnews@nytimes.com>; news@thelocal.se <news@thelocal.se>; premier@gov.bc.ca <premier@gov.bc.ca>; Justin.Brattinga@gov.ab.ca <Justin.Brattinga@gov.ab.ca>; Jagmeet.Singh@parl.gc.ca <Jagmeet.Singh@parl.gc.ca>; she@emro.who.int <she@emro.who.int> Subject: Re: City by City Pandemic Preparedness (Opinion) Hey Everyone, further to the below I am hearing about a few states that are thinking of reopening early and I mean no disrespect but I am concerned about the welfare of everyone involved. I'm worried that if we don't reopen slowly one city at a time then May could bring disaster. In my humble opinion we need to institute city pandemic infrastructure first and then reopen city by city to ensure that if an outbreak occurs we are immediately able to respond. Without a centralized command centre in each city directing the efforts it will become a logistical and biological problem. I know you have all been patient and I mean not to hinder efforts but I do not wish to see anyone die if we can prevent it. I humbly implore you to first setup Pandemic command and control networks with testing sites, sanitation teams, contact tracing options as well as supply line management to give us all a better chance at stopping the Pandemic. I have in my below email described a three tiered approach to this command and control network that I feel will allow a safe and systematic approach to reopening that will give nations a better chance of saving lives. I realize we are worried about the economy but we are the economy and if too many fall ill the economy will be the least of our concerns. We have to get this right the first time or we lose all progress we have achieved. Stay strong I believe in you and stand with you, stand as one. Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive, John Ames Birch @johneames2 From: J Birch Sent: April 17, 2020 9:50 PM To: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>; Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca <Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca>; jason.kenney@parl.gc.ca <jason.kenney@parl.gc.ca>; dujarric@un.org <dujarric@un.org>; GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca <GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca>; news@skynews.com <news@skynews.com>; tips@GlobalTVBC.com <tips@GlobalTVBC.com>; contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com <contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com>; eurohealthycities@who.int <eurohealthycities@who.int>; Secretary@HHS.gov <Secretary@HHS.gov>; Sky.Today <Sky.Today@sky.uk>; newsonline@ctv.ca <newsonline@ctv.ca>; media@gatesfoundation.org <media@gatesfoundation.org>; media@sputniknews.com <media@sputniknews.com>; govsec@nanoq.gl <govsec@nanoq.gl>; mail@australiacouncil.gov.au <mail@australiacouncil.gov.au>; accredit@gov.ru <accredit@gov.ru>; AGR.Minister@gov.bc.ca <AGR.Minister@gov.bc.ca>; HaveYourSay <haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk>; Info SC, HC Info (HC/SC) <hcinfo.infosc@canada.ca>; Info@narendramod.in <Info@narendramod.in>; antonio.ferrari@un.org <antonio.ferrari@un.org>; Info@PMOindia.gov.in <Info@PMOindia.gov.in>; premier@gov.pe.ca <premier@gov.pe.ca>; English@mail.gov.cn <English@mail.gov.cn>; europamanagement@ec.europa.eu <europamanagement@ec.europa.eu>; poststelle@bundesregierung.de-mail.de <poststelle@bundesregierung.de-mail.de>; media@ford.com <media@ford.com>; media@gatesfoundation.org <media@gatesfoundation.org>; dan@jpost.com <dan@jpost.com>; dir_enq@cso.gov.hk <dir_enq@cso.gov.hk>; Blanchet, Yves-François - Député <Yves-Francois.Blanchet@parl.gc.ca>; david.penberthy@news.com.au <david.penberthy@news.com.au>; FEMA-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov <FEMA-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov>; feedback@jpost.com <feedback@jpost.com>; fkalmbach@theadvocate.com <fkalmbach@theadvocate.com>; Francois.Legault.ASSO@assnat.qc.ca <Francois.Legault.ASSO@assnat.qc.ca>; Forsætisráðuneytið <for@for.is>; nytnews@nytimes.com <nytnews@nytimes.com>; news@thelocal.se <news@thelocal.se>; premier@gov.bc.ca <premier@gov.bc.ca>; Justin.Brattinga@gov.ab.ca <Justin.Brattinga@gov.ab.ca>; Jagmeet.Singh@parl.gc.ca <Jagmeet.Singh@parl.gc.ca>; J Birch <Birch403@outlook.com>; she@emro.who.int <she@emro.who.int> Subject: City by City Pandemic Preparedness (Opinion) Hey everyone, I was reading that some places are thinking of opening up early to reopen their economies. I understand how everyone is anxious to get back to their lives but we have to ensure protections for everyone. Perhaps we can run this idea by the WHO, CDC and health boards to determine if it could help. I propose that we start slow opening one city at a time, once that city has opened up and been active for a few weeks then we can open others and then finally nations. If we open them up area by area it should be easier for us to contain any outbreaks and if there was something that was missed we can then implement changes moving forward. This way we can still work on flattening the curve on hard hit areas and launch protective measures city by city until the national infrastructure can be upgraded to act in a safer fashion. This also ensures that we do not overwhelm the hospital system as each city will be supplied with what is needed. In my humble opinion this slow and systematic procedural reopening will provide a better safety net then opening up different areas across the nation. My concern is that if we open up to many places at once in different locations we will be fighting a war on multiple fronts. In my opinion we should have separate teams to coordinate activity for the Pandemic, I would create three subdivisions to the Pandemic: Team C - Active monitoring of cities to bolster supply, setup infrastructure and coordinate city quarantine options.

• They would monitor active cases in the city (Prior, current and projected) and amend the reopening guidelines based on changing figures or trends.

• They would coordinate PPE delivery to every school, business and company to ensure that everyone is ready and protected.

• Launch online training for residents to become accustomed to viral procedures and quarantine standards.

• Organize Sanitation officers to clean common areas and transit.

• Implement sensor operated machines when possible in a city to reduce viral spread (Investment for regular flu season as well to reduce sick workers after pandemic is over)

• They would then monitor each city, hospital and case to track down suspected viral spreads and institute measures to quarantine infected individuals, sanitize areas and as well determine how the breach occurred and fill the gaps.

  • I would leverage the intelligence community in this regard and military as they would be experts in intelligence gathering (Contact tracing), bioterrorist attacks (Similar responses) and possible areas of contamination that require "swat team" focus.

  • They would be grouped into medical personnel, intelligence operative, police, fire and rescue divisions so that each stage of government can coordinate and respond immediately if something goes wrong.

    • They would require, real time updates on cases current, resolved, asymptomatic and new.

      • Perhaps they can link the medical admittance database to their own. We should have municipal, regional and national databases working together to solidify the numbers and help with contact tracing in real time.

    • They would need access to a supply vehicle network, cars, trucks, planes etc to ensure that they can send supplies to hot spot areas and transport infected people to hospital or personnel to areas they are needed.

    • You would want to setup a temporary command centre in each city to coordinate and relay government communications immediately to all personnel, military, intelligence, civilian and the private sector.

    • The mayor will help communicate to the populace and assist city command in setting up a proper infrastructure for their specific city.

    • If they determine a massive quarantine break they would immediately lock down the area or city and institute new measures to stop the spread and prevent it from reoccurring.

    • Monitor outgoing and incoming travel for the short term with testing centres to prevent community spread. (This team reports directly to team B but team C oversees)

  • Finally they would coordinate with the other teams to relay findings, update coronavirus pathogen reports and "spread reports" to be sent to the alternate teams, CDC, WHO and the government.
    

Team B - This team is dedicated to stopping the spread of the virus to other states, cities or provinces. In addition, they would coordinate supply lines, manufacturing and humanitarian efforts.

• They would monitor the information from all of the Active teams in each city to gain a framework of the developing situation in their local areas.

• Each one of the team B designates would cover a specific area (In us - A number of local states, Canada - provinces and territories etc)

• They would report to their local Group A representative and provide all information for the local area they are in.

• Perhaps grouping the country into areas, east coast, west coast and central.

• The governors of these areas would be fully operational and involved with their local and regional groups to plan, coordinate and amend procedure as deemed necessary for their states or areas.

• They would work together with their local command centres and ensure that at all times we are reducing the risk of spread within communities, cities and areas.

  • They would require daily if not hourly updates from their local team C groups to keep apprised of the real time status of every area. (Similar to the pentagon war room but for pathogens.)

  • They would each ensure together the local supply and coordinate efforts based on regional command needs to ensure their area is provided with all PPE needed.

  • They would also coordinate the private sector and any corporations to ensure that they know exactly what their supply chain looks like and if needed setup alternatives for local and regional manufacturing.

  • This would include PPE, medicines (Liquid and solid), food, sanitation products, reagents etc.

  • There should also be regional supply centres that are continuously stocked to act as an emergency failover if our supply chain temporarily cant handle an outbreak.

  • They would report to their A group leaders and provide active intelligence on the pathogen, economy and manufacturing to provide the leadership with an active map of all considerations during this Pandemic.

  • In addition, they would oversee local humanitarian aid and financial support to anyone unable to presently return to work.

Group A - This is the final level for Pandemic command, they would coordinate regional quarantine, financial, economic and travel considerations internationally and nationally.

• They would receive intelligence from the regional governors and regional command centres. From here they would update the national command map to see hotspots developing in real time and act with the regional and city commands to stop outbreaks and bolster hospitals and supply chains accordingly.

• They would oversee inbound and outbound international travel and update no fly zones or quarantine measures for individuals returning from a hotspot.

• Tests can be given to international travellers and once cleared they can be released to do normal activity. If infected then they are sent to quarantine for the requisite period and given medical and other supply considerations.

• It might be prudent to have all inbound travellers arrive in one airport designated as an inbound centre.

  • The Inbound centres would be fully stocked with PPE, sanitation and quick tests and all passengers would be given a test.

  • Passengers arriving should wear full PPE on flights to and from to reduce pathogen spread across the globe.

  • They would report to the regional command wherever located and update them on inbound travellers conditions and places of origin.

  • This way we can track international hotspots and implement quarantine advisories to not only help one nation but both fight the spread.

  • From this International hub you would track flights to see if there are any gaps in procedure and change procedure if new hot spots erupt via travel.

• This division would also be responsible for the oversight of vaccine endeavors and coordinate with the different national offices to align data and information to ensure a quicker vaccine.

• This division would also coordinate all medical care and advisories and change procedures nationally as they and the government see fit to protect people.

• They would also coordinate with regional command centres and the National supply chain to ensure that both the regional supply is bolstered as well as the national supply. The national supply is a third backup in case outbreaks erupt nationally.

• The federal and regional supply centres would use a FIFO system (First in first out) to ensure no expiry of PPE or goods.

Few considerations for reopening. -I would humbly propose drive in theatres at first until a movie theatre procedure can be implemented:

• Movie theatre Procedure:

  • Allow fewer guests per room and space seating apart, I would do single rows with a row or two in-between people and a few seats on either side. Depending on the theatre seats the math can provide you with the new seating occupancy that follows the best social distancing procedures possible (However I would use drive ins for the short term until our city and regional commands have gotten a hang of the city operations during this crisis.

  • The theatre might even be able to convert its parking lots into drive ins as well to increase revenue and allow for social distancing.

    • Snacks can be sent out by staff who follow all PPE and sanitary conditions. (bagged popcorn for now and viral wipes complementary)

    • They can tune the audio to the radio and apply projectors and cheap screens for the short term.

    • Payment can be made via tap and then the vehicle could be allowed the password or something for the audio.

    • Alternatively, movie theatres can provide digital movies on their websites or even start streaming options for movies (Depending on laws etc)

  • I would still limit gatherings and large events but when time, similar social distancing procedures should help.

  • I would ensure that everyone wears a mask on the street or workplace while adhering to all sanitation and social distancing requirements.

  • I would also hire a number of sanitation workers per city to clean common areas where people frequent and ensure businesses with groupings of people follow mask etiquette and hire a dedicated sanitation officer.

These were a few thoughts I was having and wanted to share to see if we can create a similar path for a safe return when our leaders and medical professionals give us the go ahead. There may be regional concerns that require amendments and perhaps some things we need to add but I feel this would be a great framework to protect people when the time comes. Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive, John Ames Birch @johneames2