This short book was written in late March 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic that has shaken humanity out of its routine. This book also addresses this pandemic, but it does not contain formulas or advice on how to overcome it. What it does is to take the opportunity to foster a discussion on how to reduce the chances of this type of catastrophe occurring again in the future, and how each of us can play an active role in this regard. The good news is that – as the reader will see – even when discussing the threats posed by emerging pandemics, epidemics, and infectious disease outbreaks, there is reason to be hopeful and optimistic. Fortunately, reducing many of the risks posed by new pathogens and other global health challenges depends on human action. And humanity has already proven to be ingenious enough to successfully overcome even more difficult challenges when we rise to the occasion.
