This successful approach has required decisive science-backed government action and outstanding communication to create the social licence needed for an effective response. At a technical level, we have learned Covid-19 transmission is mainly through airborne spread indoors, often from pre-symptomatic people. Establishing an effective public health agencyThe pandemic provides a vivid illustration of the need to invest in effective public health infrastructure. The Covid-19 response provides a model for responding to a, including the climate change emergency and growing social inequities. Michael Baker is a professor of public health at the University of Otago; Amanda Kvalsvig is a senior research fellow at the Department of Public Health, University of Otago; Nick Wilson is a professor of public health at the University of Otago.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 25, 2021 01:50 UTC