Hard lessons learned. Let our expert explain what the role of government should be during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 global pandemic has spurred discussions on roles, responsibilities and how governments and the private sector can work together to meet the massive coronavirus challenge. 

The magnitude of the virus’ impact has revealed inefficiencies in our predominately privately owned and operated healthcare system and supply chain, which poses a source of serious national security risk to the United States.

Tai Ming Cheung, director of the UC Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation is lending his expertise to explain what major changes the crisis may catalyze. 

“The pandemic renews fundamental questions about the role of the state,” says Cheung. “What should the government do, and when? How much responsibility should be left to the private sector?”

Cheung thinks the well-documented flaws in the supply chain of medical equipment countries face— too few ventilators, masks, gloves, swabs and so on — can lead to the country to align health and security needs. 

“An important national security consideration is that the medical system, including the supply of medical goods, will be deemed a critical national security capability. This may be a positive good that comes out of this crisis.”

If you are a journalist looking to cover this topic or to learn more about the role government needs to be playing is a crisis of this magnitude – then let our experts help.

Tai Ming Cheung is the Director of the UC Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation at UC San Diego and he is also an expert on Chinese and East Asian defense, innovation and national security affairs. He is available to speak with reporters on this subject – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview today.