Reflections: US Coronavirus Crisis Management--Learning from Failure Donald Trump and More, January-April, 2020

Abstract

This article, drawing from news accounts, examines US coronavirus crisis management from January through April, 2020. Focused on the Trump administration’s handling of the pandemic, it looks at failings with regard to: 1) early warning signals, 2) pandemic preparation, 3) virus testing, 4) crisis coordination, 5) communication, and 6) systemic challenges. These failings are considered through the lenses of crisis prevention, change management, and high reliability organization. Recommendations are advanced on how to prepare for and respond to future crises and pandemics