20th EDITION April 2020: Coronavirus and Environment: Connecting Points and Innovations

Jeff Schlegelmilch: Public Health Preparedness and the Environment

Jeff testifying at the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense (formerly the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense) (photo credit Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense)

Jeff Schlegelmilch is the Deputy Director for the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University's Earth Institute. His areas of expertise include public health preparedness, community resilience, and the integration of private and public sector capabilities. Jeff has just authored a book entitled Rethinking Readiness: A Brief Guide to Twenty-First-Century-Mega-disasters from Columbia University Press.

"We should also be concerned about the coming onset of “disaster seasons” of flooding, hurricanes, and wildfires in vulnerable areas, as these issues create scenarios for mass-sheltering and further disruption of community lifelines. This is a serious concern, not only for congregate settings leading to further spread of COVID-19, but also because resources are being depleted now for the pandemic that could be needed soon. The impact of climate change is creating disruptions to our lives both directly, and indirectly through concurrent stressors on our society." Jeff Schlegelmilch