Julie Gerberding

COVID-19 has shown us all that pandemics aren’t just a public health issue, but a national security one as well. Are America’s national security institutions prepared to address this threat? And what role should the intelligence community play in addressing pandemics?  To address these questions, Lawfare’s David Priess moderated a live recording of the Lawfare Podcast featuring a discussion with Congressman Eric Swalwell, who represents California’s 15th congressional district and sits on the House Intelligence Committee; Dr. Julie Gerberding, who served as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2002 to 2009 and now is a senior leader at the pharmaceutical company Merck; and Matt Berrett, a former CIA assistant director and head of its Global Issues Mission Center, and now cofounder of the Center for Anticipatory Intelligence at Utah State University. The event was held in conjunction with two programs at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy & Government: the biodefense program and the Michael V. Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy, and International Security.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gina Raimondo, Governor of Rhode Island, and Julie Gerberding, former CDC director, dive into the complexities of reopening during COVID-19. Raimondo shares her experience balancing public health and economic concerns, while Gerberding provides insights on pandemic management. They discuss the critical role of widespread testing and innovative solutions like incentivized testing through a lottery system. The conversation highlights the importance of community cooperation and strategies used across various states to ensure a safe reopening.

Julie Gerberding, former director of the CDC, brings her expertise to discuss COVID-19's unique dangers and the risk of misinformation spreading online. She unpacks the initial confusion surrounding mask usage and the political pressures facing health organizations. The conversation offers a deep dive into the science of social distancing and the evolving role of public trust in health communications. Gerberding also highlights the importance of international cooperation in pandemic responses and lessons learned from past crises.