Resilience refers to a system’s ability to efficiently absorb shocks. This report investigates ways that communities can increase their resilience to pandemics and other sudden economic, social or environmental risks. It compares COVID-19 with other health risks, examines various problems caused by pandemic-control interventions, and recommends specific ways that communities can better prepare for, respond to, and recover from pandemics and other shocks.
Pandemic-control travel restrictions, isolation requirements and job losses cause various domestic, social and economic problems, including physical and emotional stresses, and financial losses. Risks vary by location: urban residents have more exposure to infectious disease while rural residents are more likely to die if infected. All shared vehicle travel, including private automobiles carrying passengers, can spread disease. For most households, the safest place to live during a pandemic is an affordable home with ground-floor access in a walkable urban neighborhood where residents have low-risk and affordable mobility options.
To improve resilience, communities need effective emergency response, contagion control, safe methods for delivering essential goods and services, adequate housing for all residents, physical and mental support for isolated people, and affordability. Infectious disease risks justify stronger efforts to eliminate homelessness.
Recent Planetizen columns (www.planetizen.com/user/2394):
“Lessons from Pandemics: Comparing Urban and Rural Risks”
Many people assume that infectious disease risks make cities dangerous, but this is generally untrue. Other factors have more effect on pandemic risk and mortality rates, making cities safer and healthier than rural areas overall.
“Lessons from Pandemics: Transportation Risks and Safety Strategies”
Many people assume that infectious disease risks make public transport dangerous and automobile travel safe, but this is generally untrue. Other factors have more effect on pandemic risk.
“Lessons from Pandemics: Disaster Resilience Planning”
What can we learn from the COVID-19 pandemic to help plan more resilient communities that can respond to all types of economic, social, and environmental shocks?