he global pandemic that started in late 2019 resulted in more than 700 million diagnosed cases of COVID-19 and more than 7 million deaths. 1 The pandemic caused contraction of the global economy, as well as considerable job losses. 2 Through the end of 2023, the cost of COVID-19 to the US economy was estimated to have exceeded $14 trillion. 3 Interestingly, it has been suggested that the cost of pandemic preparedness measures would be roughly 0.2% of the cost of the pandemic itself. 4 Given the scientific consensus that additional pandemics will occur in the future, probably involving airborne respiratory viruses 5, it is prudent to consider measures that can be implemented to combat pandemics, epidemics and other disease outbreaks associated with airborne pathogens. Read More