A unified strategy (Federal, state and local, and private sector) was already in place as of 4-19-2006: Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Response, and Recovery Guide for Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources.
But the state, local, and private sectors clearly had not lived up to the strategy guidelines by the time Trump's administration came to power, so were woefully unprepared. Even the Federal government had not done everything as it should have, such as not replenishing all stockpiles.
A summary of different levels of responsibilities:
FEDERAL: On November 1, 2005, President Bush announced the nation’s comprehensive approach to prepare for and combat a potential pandemic influenza, emphasizing the need for proactive efforts combining the full capabilities and support of all levels of government and the private sector. The President also launched the primary Federal Web site,
www.pandemicfl u.gov, to provide up-to-date information and pandemic links, and he released the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza. 3 On May 6, 2006, the U.S. Homeland Security Council distributed the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan to provide operational direction and specific implementation actions for all Federal Departments as well as
guidance for State, local, and tribal governments and the private sector. The Implementation Plan complements and extends existing national disaster management documents to include the National Response Plan and National Incident Management System (see Guide Annex and
www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?theme=14). From this guidance, government stakeholders will develop their actionable pandemic plans to support their specific areas of responsibility and authority. This CI/KR Guide incorporates the guidance provided in the Implementation Plan and specifically addresses one of the support actions directed in Chapter 9 of the Implementation Plan. 2.5.2
STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL:
This level of government represents the nation’s front lines in the pandemic battle. They will face extreme challenges in maintaining normal operations in the face of widespread illness and increased demand on most government services. States are diligently updating their pandemic plans; these are available for review at
www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/ stateplans.html. As outlined in the Strategy, State, local, and tribal responsibilities include the following:
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ensuring all reasonable measures are taken to limit the spread of an outbreak within and beyond the community’s borders;
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establishing comprehensive and credible preparedness and response plans that are exercised on a regular basis;
•integrating non-health entities, including law enforcement, utilities, and city services in pandemic planning;
•identifying key spokespersons for the community, ensuring that they are educated in risk communications, and having coordinated crisis communications plans;
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establishing State and community-based stockpiles and distribution systems; and
•providing public education campaigns on pandemic influenza.
PRIVATE SECTOR: The impact of all disasters is generally felt most severely at the local level. Private sector businesses should familiarize themselves with the various pandemic containment and response options including social distancing, quarantine laws, and movement restrictions, in the jurisdictions where they operate. Business planners should also assess the diverse national and international legal and regulatory authorities, issues, and restraints that could affect their business, supply chain, transportation of goods and services, priority for municipal services, and workplace safety issues. Additionally, planners should fully assess the risks, impacts, and implications of pandemic-related disruptions to international production, supply
Did the Trump administration review all federal guidelines for all sectors of its responsibility to assure that all was in place as it should be and ready to go. Probably no. Probably assumed everything was up to snuff. But things, at all levels, Federal, state, local, and private, were not.
So new plans had to be developed. And the Fed is now doing much of what it should and what state and local governments should have done, and getting the private sector fully engaged.
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