A Path Forward for COVID-19 Response and Beyond

Four months ago, I wrote about the early signs that the healthcare community had expanded its use of maps to communicate and understand the spread of COVID-19. Two months ago, we saw scientists and epidemiologists build and use models, ahead of inquiries from concerned leaders, to quantify and predict the surge in COVID-19 cases and the possible stresses on hospital capacity and resources. Today, more than four months into this pandemic, we can see maps and spatial analyses are delivering greater understanding across disciplines and increasing awareness of the impacted populations, where resources are needed most, and improving communication to community stakeholders and the public. Geographic information systems (GIS) has become a common platform for data exchange, analysis, collection, and communication. It is helping communities ensure testing sites are optimally placed, personal protective equipment (PPE) inventories are tracked, and surge on key resources is managed. But what is our path forward, for COVID-19 recovery, and beyond?

We’ve joined the public health preparedness community to document the best practices and lessons learned, and to forecast future needs from COVID-19, based on responses to past crises and outbreaks. There is much to learn from the COVID-19 experience and ongoing efforts. On June 10th we will join the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for a webinar to share these best practices on how to improve public health preparedness procedures, data, information products, and outcomes.

This webinar will firstly demonstrate the solutions, analysis, models and data products that are available to organizations now. Secondly, it will explore how organizations can address the next phase of case resurgence, business continuity, re-opening of economies and recovery. Specifically, you’ll learn:

• The role of location to improve traditional contact tracing in the face of community spread
• The importance of identifying and organizing authoritative data to support operations and keep the public informed
• How to deploy Coronavirus Response solutions
• How to get the software and technical support you need, free of charge
• What peer organizations are doing around the globe
• The lessons learned and best practices that you can follow to accelerate your operations

Join me and my colleague, Jared Shoultz, on June 10th at 11:00am PDT to learn more. Register here.