Rethinking Industry’s Role in a National Emergency

Sodhi and Tang discuss focus the aspects of rethinking industry's role in a national emergency. The shortcomings of the US Strategic National Stockpile must be remedied before the next large-scale public health emergency. Photographs of doctors and nurses wearing garbage bags to protect themselves from infection are among the most indelible images of the COVID-19 pandemic. They also testify to the limitations of the US Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). Backup capacity is relatively easy to arrange, but gaining access to standby capability on a timely basis is the crucial missing link in the SNS's current approach to its mission. Developing an industrial commons will take an ecosystem of expertise to develop and manage a standby capability for pandemics and other major emergencies.