National Geographic and The Daily Show Cover the Pandemic

I am consistently amazed at how a situation can go from being almost completely ignored by the media at one point in time, to then being everywhere at once in the very next.

While serious journalism continues to key on the pandemic – check this month's cover of National Geographic, and their article on the Next Killer Flu – the concern has also reached into popular culture as well. While "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" is usually a little bit ahead of the crowd when it comes to being aware, it was still especially important for all of us to witness Stewart asking his guest, Dr. Irwin Redlener, Director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness, whether or not we were prepared for the pandemic.

Of note to RiSci followers is the knowledge that Dr. Redlener is actually one of our key advisors. He not only participated in our global workshop, but emailed me yesterday from Louisiana, where he continues his vital work on the Katrina recovery, to confirm his assistance in designing our Global Communications Program. My upcoming posts will not only cover the Global Communications Program, but will report on: 1) RiSci having obtained funding for this program; and 2) The intensifying need to enlist funding support from the public and from businesses for our other three programs. Stay tuned... and stay prepared.

– Dan Sharp, President, RiSci (Flu Preparedness Team)