MINNEAPOLIS — While the COVID emergency may be over the threat of a similar pandemic is still a realistic possibility. That is the message we’re getting from leading Minnesota health experts.
“And my best science says that this wasn’t the big one, the big one has yet to come,” Dr. Michael Osterholm said.
Osterholm doesn’t mind if you call him a doomsayer. As the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, he wants to talk about preparedness,
“The real challenge we have in terms of responding to the pandemic is we have just cut back so much in terms of our health care resources,” said Osterholm. “We’ve eliminated over 40% of the pediatric beds in the state in the last five years.”
Osterholm also believes that the trust in public health and its messaging during a health crisis is shattered. Perhaps fittingly, Minnesota state health officials point to communication and particularly persuasive communication as their top challenge for the next pandemic