Full Description
Another pandemic is coming. It's only a matter of time. It could be a novel flu virus, a biological weapon, even a prehistoric virus from melting glaciers—and we are not prepared. No one wants to endure the lockdowns and social isolation, the confusion and mixed messaging, or the fear and distrust that we experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic ever again. Yet that's exactly the path we're headed down if we erase the last pandemic from our memories.
In Before the Next Crisis, the public health expert Tista S. Ghosh implores us to remember. She shares the pandemic stories of everyday Americans from all walks of life—red and blue states, urban and rural areas. This gripping and relatable book recounts the real-life struggles that Americans faced: a Colorado grocery store manager dealing with harassment over mask policies, an Indiana police officer encountering a growing mental health crisis, a rural Wisconsin physician fighting rising public distrust, a California company leader struggling to keep frontline workers safe, and an Ohio health official grappling with the decision to cancel the city's largest tourist event. These and other powerful narratives not only preserve the history of the pandemic but also highlight the lessons we must learn before the next health crisis—not just politicians or scientists, but all of us.
Contents
Preface
Part I. What Is Public Health?
1. Health Does Not Equal Healthcare
2. David and Goliath: Public Health Versus Healthcare
3. You Get What You Pay For
Part II. Interviews Across America: People's Experiences in the COVID Pandemic
4. Why Stories Matter
5. The Early Pandemic: The Varied Experiences of Everyday Americans
6. The Postvaccine Pandemic: The Varied Experiences of Everyday Americans
7. The Healthcare Worker Perspective
8. The Large Employer Perspective: Protecting Essential Workers
9. The Local Public Health Perspective
Part III. Knowing Is Half the Battle
10. Key Takeaways
11. Recommendations
Notes
Index
