Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs

by Mark Olshaker

As far as leadership, I do not believe traditional public health professionals will be able to lead us out of our current infectious disease complacency. We need to have people who can see—and foresee—the big picture and know how to marshal the resources of government, science, and the private sector to face our challenges. These Crisis Agenda leaders need a unique understanding and practical expertise in global, regional, and national politics, as well as a critical working knowledge of the science behind the agenda. They need some of the same organizational talent that characterized Brigadier General Leslie Groves, the US Army Corps of Engineers officer who directed the Manhattan Project in World War II. They have to motivate governments and the public to support the Crisis Agenda, just as President Kennedy motivated the United States to get to the moon.

And we shouldn’t be surprised if tomorrow’s crisis is caused by Mayaro virus, Nipah, Lassa, Rift Valley fever, or a new coronavirus.

We’ve got to hold their feet to the fire and let them know in no uncertain terms that partisan politics has no place in public health policy or action.

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