COVID-19 , Governance & Risk Management , Remote Workforce

COVID-19 Update: 'We're in a Bad Place'

COVID-19 infections are hitting new daily highs in the U.S., and some European countries are re-imposing restrictions. Plus, the flu season is just around the corner. “We’re in a bad place,” says pandemic expert Regina Phelps, who shares insights on pandemic trends and response.

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Phelps, the founder of Emergency Management & Safety Solutions, is concerned not only about the rising number of infections, but also about the continued confusion about what constitutes effective response.

“It’s going to be a really dark and tough six, eight, 12 weeks ahead ,” Phelps says, citing recent record highs of more than 70,000 daily reported infections in the U.S. “There are many experts that believe now that this is going to be our norm. If that’s our baseline … as we go into the fall and winter, oh, my gosh, we’re in deep trouble.”

In her latest in a series of video interviews with Information Security Media Group, Phelps discusses:

• The “twindemic” risks as the U.S. enters the flu season;
• How businesses are reevaluating the return to offices and travel;
• Coping strategies for pandemic fatigue.

Phelps, RN, BSN, MPA, CEM, is an internationally recognized expert in the field of emergency management and continuity planning. Since 1982, she has provided consultation and speaking services to clients on four continents. She is founder of Emergency Management & Safety Solutions, a consulting company specializing in emergency management, continuity planning and safety. Among the company's clients are McAfee, IMF, Microsoft, American Express, Northern Trust, VISA, Triton Container, Intuit, Stanford University, Caltech Institute, JPL, Merck, MasterCard and the World Bank.