Jun 2612 min read

It's Not Just Up to Politicians to Educate Themselves on the Nature and Level of the Bio Attack Threat, Its Dangers, and What to Do About Them

It's Not Just Up to Politicians to Educate Themselves on the Nature and Level of the Bio Attack Threat, Its Dangers, and What to Do About Them

By Dr. John Norris

Dr. John Norris is a former FDA COO and Harvard faculty member. He is a highly successful entrepreneur and expert in risk management for the "spread" of bio attacks. And he has written over 120 articles and posts on this topic's different aspects and perspectives.

He is especially concerned now about our poorly understood bio attack risks by politicians at two levels, US and international. He and his teammates believe this lack of bio attack knowledge and understanding is creating weak preparation of the US and its allies for a near-term minor bio attack, which is the scale of an attack that is most likely. We "expect" (not "predict;" there is insufficient historical evidence to make predictions) that such an attack will likely occur in the next three years. And it will likely be performed by a terrorist group, such as Hamas, or a hostile nation, such as Iran, although it might not be traceable to the aggressor. It might even be a "false flag" attack by a nation that is sloppy and wants us to retaliate against Hamas or Iran. Regrettably, almost as destructive to our people and the people of the globe is a viable threat of a bio attack. This so because of the enormous at-home anxiety and significant loss of at-work morale that such a threat imparts on workers, families, and investors/taxpayers.

We estimate there is at least a vast number of times more risk that a small bio weapon, delivered by stealth, suicide, or false flag, will be used to attack the US than a small nuclear weapon. And a slight chemical weapon is not even in the picture. For many reasons, which we will briefly get into below, in terms of "actual use," both small atomic weapons and small chemical weapons are all but obsolete. No serious person continues to believe in chemical weapons. And money is the key driver of our obsession with nuclear weapons. Yet, because they are highly traceable as to the aggressor source, they are both significant "deterrents." In reality, however, they will never be used offensively or defensively. So, we have to keep them around but pretend we do not need to more significantly protect ourselves from a bio attack. Post the COVID-19 Pandemic, which caught almost every leader worldwide "with their pants down," the third rail of "weapons of mass destruction," bio attack weapons, are, with a high degree of certainty, the "weapons of choice" by all significant aggressors going forward.

Of course, lesser aggressors can develop bio weapons more simply and cheaply than nuclear weapons, so they must also be feared in this context. We expect them to be less aggressive here, though, because the right kinds of bio weapons to use and distribute can only readily be made by a major power. Accordingly, for both reasons, if they use more primitive bio weapons, there is a high risk they will be detectable as to the aggressor source. Therefore, their "deterrence exposure" will be far greater. And the massive relative size of damage they will receive from retaliation is likely, in the eyes of even the most desperate leader of a small country, to make little sense to endure. If they formulate a reasonably correct decision-equation, launching a bio attack on a major nation is not worth the cumulative risk. For all of these reasons, their bio risk to the US is not as great as a "transient" terrorist group, such as Hamas, that is well funded and steadily supplied with advanced weapons (probably including advanced bio weapons) by Iran.

Introduction

In today's world, with the Middle East and Ukraine wars "increasingly on fire," and with Hamas becoming more and more cornered, the threat of a bio attack on the US, and Israel, and or another one of our allies has become a pressing concern. As top business executives, government agency heads, and nation leaders, we know it is not just up to politicians to educate themselves on the nature and level of this threat and its potential dangers--and what to do about them.

We all, including politicians, have a responsibility to protect our workforce, families, and investors/taxpayers and minimize the impact of nature-made and human-manufactured infectious disease "spread" on them and our business, government agency, and nation operations. Accordingly, it is time for us to take a much more active role in understanding the bio attack threat and what can be done to mitigate its likelihood of materializing--and how to best prevent, mitigate, and control the spread if it does.

The Need for Awareness

The first step in combating the bio attack threat is understanding its nature, the threat of it materializing, and the danger if it does materialize. This requires us to educate ourselves about the various types of bio attacks that could be employed, such as the release of harmful pathogens, like anthrax, botulism, or the plague, or the use of other bioweapons and various mechanisms that may be used to deploy and spread the pathogens. By gaining knowledge about these potential threats, dangers, and spread methods, we can better prepare ourselves and develop and deploy advanced strategies, programs, systems, tools, and other risk-management mechanisms to counteract them.

Like deadly fires, only worse, preventing, mitigating, and controlling the spread makes all the difference. Again, like with fires, very early intervention can make a world of difference. The Hawaiian fire, which killed nearly 100 people, was a recent example of what happens when just one location is attacked and the response is slow or otherwise incompetent and inadequate. Imagine the damage, including deaths and significant other harm, plus a crash in revenue, profits, morale, and productivity, a small bio attack distributed to 100 workspaces by two terrorists could create the first day, then the first week, and then the first month. Thousands of workers and family members would likely be killed. And investors/taxpayers, insurers, lenders, customers, and suppliers would lose hundreds of billions of dollars.

Imagine further the economic and psychological damage that would do to the US. Massive numbers of workers would be afraid to work on-site, and millions of people (many of them the very top people) would quietly be looking for jobs throughout the country at just enterprises having significant bio protections in place and fully operational. The confusion and disruption within our nation would be astronomical. Because pathogens are too small to see and can readily be transported from work to home and vice versa, fear will skyrocket everywhere, and morale at work, and therefore, productivity at work, except for enterprises that are "prepared," will crash. Pathogens are not a force to fight with unless you are fully prepared. We might have forgotten the 1.2 million Americans that COVID-19 killed. But the shock created by even a small human-manufactured bio attack or viable threat thereof will awaken everyone. Regrettably, by then, the lines for acquiring the resources that should have been acquired now will be miles long. Wake up now, politicians and our other leaders. Wake up now.

The Role of Politicians

Politicians, especially the most powerful ones within a country's government system, play a crucial role in addressing national security and defense concerns. They are often the most critical parts of the puzzle. However, they cannot solely be responsible for educating themselves about the newest and most prominent national security and defense threat: the bio attack threat. Even the most intelligent and thoughtful politicians may lack the necessary information, insight, and knowledge on this specific topic.

That is why it is essential for business, government agency, and nation leaders to take on the responsibility of educating not only themselves and their own teams but also our political leaders and their teams. We are all on the same team for addressing this critical challenge. Politics must take a back seat as much as possible. In life-and-death situations in which the threat of a small bio attack sits within, we must join forces to help one another accelerate the rate and effectiveness of our efforts and do all the right things to get to the place we need to go on time to protect our country and our allies.

Educating Ourselves

As business, government agency, and nation leaders, as well as politicians, we must take the initiative to consistently and thoroughly educate ourselves about the bio attack threat. This can be done through various means, such as attending relevant or tangential conferences and seminars, reading relevant literature, and seeking expert advice. Relying on conflicted lobbyists as a sole source is not a good choice. By actively seeking out information and staying informed, we can become better equipped to protect our workforce, families, and investors/taxpayers and minimize the impact of a bio attack on our operations, including loss of effectiveness, efficiency, and revenue, as well as profits, morale, and reputation.

Politicians and our other leaders are so far behind in their bio attack skills, training, and expertise that we need "crash courses" to "bring them all up to speed." Perhaps Harvard, where Dr. Norris taught, would be a good venue for offering advanced leader courses in the bio attack area. Dr. Norris plans to ask them to ascertain their interest in exploring this possibility. If not Harvard, then Yale. If not Yale, then Cornell. One way or another, such courses for top politicians and other leaders will likely be offered in the fall.

Collaborating with Academic, Regulatory, and Business Experts

In addition to educating our politicians and ourselves as leaders--and our people at all levels of society--it is important to collaborate with academic, regulatory, and business experts in the field of bio security and defense., and vice versa. We can all learn from one another. These individuals possess specialized knowledge that can immensely benefit us all in understanding the bio attack threat and how to respond to it, including pre-attack responses, such as preparedness, and post-attack responses, such as measures to prevent, mitigate, and control the spread of the pathogens that are used by the attacker throughout our workplaces and homes, particularly when the disease is taken from work to home or vice versa.

By fostering relationships with these experts, especially if they are largely or totally non-conflicted, we can gain access to valuable information, insights, knowledge, and guidance that can inform our, especially our leading politicians', decision-making processes and help us efficiently and effectively support our relevant politicians in doing the same.

Utilizing Media Platforms

Another way we can contribute to the education and awareness surrounding the bio attack threat is by utilizing significant media platforms, such as TV, radio, computer, internet, and academic and lay publications. As top business executives, government agency heads, and nation leaders, including politicians, we have the power to influence public opinion and raise awareness about this critical issue. By leveraging our positions and resources, we can easily and professionally disseminate information through various written media channels, such as websites, social media, and traditional press. This will help to create a broader understanding and sense of urgency surrounding the bio attack threat.

Another impactful way to quickly, effectively, and thoughtfully "spread the word" about the critical need for politicians to gain advanced knowledge in the area of bio attack risk management is to publish materials not just about bio attacks but also explaining and emphasizing the need. Public opinion can be changed for the better, but only if sufficient resources are spent and effort is made. There is a saying that sound and informed politicians drive public opinion and vice versa--all for the good of the people and the nation.

Collaboration and Advocacy

Given the gravity of the bio attack threat, it is crucial for us to come together as a national and international community and advocate for increased education and preparedness for all our leaders, especially our most influential politicians. By collaborating with other leaders in business, government agencies, and nations, both in the US and worldwide, we can work towards developing comprehensive strategies and policies, as well as resources, to address this threat.

Together, we can ensure that our workforce, families, investors/taxpayers, and operations are adequately protected. Without them, and the support of our politicians, the result will be dire consequences for the US and the world.

Creating a Specifically Bio Attack Focused Institute (Academic or Lay) or Trade Association

Institutes and trade associations are very effective tools for ensuring that politicians and other leaders receive appropriate education in bio attack risk management, including creating and distributing the proper levels and nature of instructors, instructions, and educational materials. Institutes can be either academic or lay, and trade associations can be far more than just lobbying groups.

For example, the American Medical Association (AMA) and American Hospital Association (AHA) have extensive advanced training programs and conferences for politicians and other leaders. Dr. Norris served on the faculties of many of these programs and conferences. These more general trade associations can be ready models for creating a bio attack-related trade association. Currently, Dr. Norris is exploring the interest of other leaders, including politicians, in creating a bio attack institute or trade association.

Minimizing the Impact

Beyond education, we must also take practical steps to minimize the impact of a bio attack on our workers, families, and investors/taxpayers as well as enterprise and nation operations. This involves implementing measures such as (1) enhancing hygiene protocols, (2) implementing practical remote work options, (3) conducting regular risk assessments, and (4) installing and making fully operational advanced strategies, programs, systems, tools, and other risk-management mechanisms to thoughtfully and effectively risk-manage the "spread" of infectious diseases within employee workspaces and homes.

It's the spread that kills millions. By taking a proactive approach, we can reduce our organizations' vulnerability and safeguard the well-being of our workers, families, and investors/taxpayers.

The Importance of Preparedness

For both our politicians and our other leaders, preparedness is key to countering the bio attack threat and the damage it will create if it or a viable threat thereof materializes. This involves (1) developing emergency response plans, (2) conducting drills and simulations, and (3) investing, for as low as 60 cents per employee per month, in critical resources and technologies, such as advanced strategies, programs, systems, tools, and other risk-management mechanisms. By being "prepared" for a bio attack, especially the most likely form, a small attack, or a viable threat thereof, we can minimize the chaos and confusion that would ensue and effectively mitigate the risks and damages.

There is no substitute for preparedness here. The minute a small bio attack (or a viable threat thereof) occurs, the demand for the rare resources needed to combat it will far exceed availability. Long lines for months will hurt those who were reckless and did not prepare. In that sense, not just products but also strategies and contracts represent the best wall of defense in this category. Neither politicians nor other leaders can afford to be recklessly caught with their pants down again. According to World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, in a speech he gave weeks ago in Davos, the danger and destruction of the next attack could be far greater this second time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is not just up to politicians to educate themselves on the nature and level of the bio attack threat and its potential dangers--and what to do about them. As top business executives, government agency heads, and nation leaders, we all have a responsibility to contribute to this effort. By educating ourselves, collaborating with academic, regulatory, and business experts, utilizing media platforms, and advocating for increased public and private awareness and preparedness, we can play a vital role in protecting our workforce, families, and investors/taxpayers and minimizing the impact of a bio attack on them, and the operations of our enterprises, including revenue, profits, morale, and productivity--at all three significant levels of society: local, regional, and national. Let us right now take the initiative and work together to address this critical national security and defense threat. We are years behind in doing so. Let's not let our politicians and ourselves get further behind. The clock is running.

A Public Service Announcement by Safely2Prosperity and Its Executive Chairman, Dr. John Norris

We are pleased to cover this well-hidden story as a public service for the sake of our readers and all the people of the US and the world. We aim to have informed, educated, and committed leaders in the US and worldwide at all levels of society. We hope they buy our solution because it is the best. But if not, they must purchase "a" solution. Three alternative solutions are almost as good as S2P's VirusVigilant.

Safely2Prosperity (S2P) provides a "comprehensive infectious-disease spread risk-management solution," VirusVigilant, for business executives, government-agency heads, and nation leaders to protect their employees, families, investors, and others. S2P's VirusVigilant "Infectious Disease Safety Program" (like a Fire Safety Program but much more sophisticated and complex) combines a SaaS platform with customized risk management tools for overseeing add-on packages of vaccinations, testing, therapeutics, isolation (if infected), quarantining (if exposed), and tracking technologies, among many others. These tools help these leaders meet their moral, ethical, and legal responsibilities while protecting and enhancing workforce, family, and investor/taxpayer safety and productivity. Thereby, VirusVigilant helps assure (it's not "insurance," but "assurance," for leaders, so "they can sleep at night," at 1,000 times less the cost than health insurance) (1) business continuity, (2) revenue, (3) profits, (4) investor and insurer financial protection, and (5) the overall effectiveness and survival of the enterprise. With a focus on proactive measures, S2P offers a cost-effective, low-cost (as low as pennies per employee per month), intuitive solution for risk-managing infectious disease spread. "It's the spread that kills millions."

Dr. John Norris is a former FDA COO and Harvard faculty member. He is also a highly successful entrepreneur recognized as an expert in preventing, mitigating, controlling, and otherwise risk-managing the "spread" of infectious diseases. He has often published on this or related topics, including as editor-in-chief of two academic publications, one at Harvard (which he founded some 50 years ago) and the other at Cornell. And gave many presentations on the need for change in health and healthcare systems, including 300 presentations worldwide. Also, he helped reform the "regulatory procedures" used by the Joint Commission (which "regulates" hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes) and the US FDA (which regulates drug and medical device developers). Finally, he is a highly successful businessperson and entrepreneur. He and his former teammates sold one of their last start-ups for almost $2B in today's dollars.

As the historically world-renowned diplomat Benjamin Franklin said as he signed the US Declaration of Independence from England (the first, most costly, and most dangerous step in forming the United States as a country, but a critical step): "Gentlemen [and Ladies], we must all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." Thoughtful and aggressive "preparedness" is the first and most essential step in protecting our people and those of our allies from the devastation of a bio attack by a terrorist group, such as Hamas, or a hostile nation, such as Iran. It costs as little as 50 cents per employee per month (1,000th the cost of health insurance) to be prepared.

If you want to learn more about VirusVigilant, please get in touch with Dr. John Norris by text at 617-680-3127 or by email at John.Norris@Safely2Prosperity.com (mailto: John.Norris@Safely2Prosperity.com). S2P's website is safely2prosperity.com (http://safely2prosperity.com/).