How cities are taking action on COVID-19

Public health researchers are assessing how government policies that respond to COVID-19 pandemic, mitigate its negative impacts and help in preparing for such health emergencies in cities in the future. The coronavirus pandemic is a vivid and painful example of the devastation that emerging pathogens can cause to lives and livelihoods worldwide. The global response has exposed the inherent weaknesses and inequalities in pandemic preparedness and response; it should be a transformative moment. The painful lessons learned should make governments wise enough to avoid such costly mistakes and instead take preemptive steps to advance pandemic preparedness in the United States and abroad. Cities and planning departments have taken a variety of actions to facilitate the effective implementation of social distancing and policies to mitigate its negative outcomes.