EMBRACING OUR MORE VISIBLE ROLE

摘要

As I wrote this first message to you, I realized that my term as presi-dent will be the first time since early in our more than 100-year history that the world is facing the same public health crisis at the same time. The SARS CoV-2 virus has challenged each country to find a strategy to protect public health and preserve its economy. Each country has tried various measures to flatten the curve, from containment with testing and contact tracing, to mitigation by sheltering at home. There simply is no quick solution. Although the amplitude of the pan-demic wave varies from one country to another, we all remain vulnerable to a new coronavirus to which no one is im-mune and for which there is no preven-tive vaccine. This creates a vital role for us as OSH professionals. We are evalu-ating this risk, interpreting the research, developing pandemic plans and helping our organizations make the right de-cisions to protect their stakeholders. I even had a client tell me recently that I have spent my entire 35-plus year career in occupational safety, occupational health and public health just to respond to this pandemic. These truly are un-precedented times.