Dr. Theresa Tam on preparing for the next battle with COVID-19, and future epidemics

Canada’s chief public health officer says COVID-19 is still circulating at a “relatively high level” and other strains of influenza may surge in the new year. At the same time, governments need to invest in preparing for and preventing future epidemics, Dr. Theresa Tam says. “(The COVID-19 pandemic) is one of the most teachable moments, I think, in our collective lifetimes,” she said. Public health has been “underappreciated and I think underinvested,” Tam said. “Thinking about preparedness in a different way in reducing health inequities will get us (into) a better place for the next pandemic,” Tam said.