Living with uncertainty: a whole-of-society approach to pandemics

Abstract

The ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused serious disruptions globally. The increase in frequency and diversity of outbreak-causing diseases and viruses remains a serious threat in the future. Singapore relies on foresight and horizon scanning to navigate emerging risks. Nevertheless, a pandemic highlights the need for such capabilities beyond the government sector and our national borders. Strategic structural changes may be necessary to foster more robust, shock-resilient, or even “antifragile” systems. Effective global or regional coordination is also necessary to contain such transnational threats. This report offers policy recommendations for a whole-of-society approach to manage crises like COVID-19.