Edited by M. Bianca Seaton and Sara Allin
From Comparative Program on Health and Society
Abstract: Governments are increasingly resorting to scenarios and tabletop exercises, such as TOPOFF 2000, Dark Winter (2001) or Atlantic Storm (2005). Western governments share scenario-based strategies(September 2003 Global Mercury exercise). There is compelling evidence that recent health crises such as the anthrax letters (2001) or SARS (2002–3) have had a more far-reaching impact on emergency preparedness and response ahead of health surveillance and outbreak management in governments’ agendas. This paper looks at government attempts to train the citizenry in vigilance, alertness, and response. It explores more specifically how Washington responded to health threats, namely the anthrax letters of October 2001, and why the worst-case scenarios became dominant in the organization of emergency preparedness and response schemes. Another case in point is the smallpox vaccination campaign of 2002–3.
Comparative Program on Health and Society Lupina Foundation Working Papers Series 2007–2009