WHO's Dr. Daniel Kertesz Talks COVID-19, Pandemics & Silver Linings [Season 4, Episode 24]

Greg interviews Dr. Daniel Kertesz of the World Health
Organization, to confirm, deny, or simply explain in better
detail some of the information that's going around about the
COVID-19 pandemic. It certainly is a strange time we're living
in.


Beginning with questions about herd immunity and
information gathering, Daniel explains that above all, we must be
humble given the lack of information we have about this
particular virus. This is not surprising, considering that the
world barely knew anything about it only a few months ago, but
still...we are incredibly well positioned to adapt and
overcome. 


Daniel notes that a huge number of minds are focused on the
problem around the world, and that disease researchers are much
more connected than they were in the past. This new medical
landscape allows data to travel faster and hopefully will lead to
a vaccine. The big question, of course, is how long this will
take...and at what cost. 


Next, the guys discuss Daniel's two decades with WHO in
Africa, the extent to which that continent is ready for
coronavirus, and what lessons Daniel took from his time there
that he and his time can apply in Thailand. The big question is -
is Thailand on the right path to stamping this thing out? Daniel
opines on the country's preparedness plan and gives them an
overall passing grade, but notes - most importantly - that we are
all still learning about this virus. There are models that
predict all kinds of endings, but when the day is done, all we
can do is listen, learn, and do what we think is best based on
previous experience. 


With that in mind - stay home, wash your hands, and do your
part to ensure that we can all come out of this smarter and
better prepared. 


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