The Conversation: Biden has announced a COVID taskforce to guide him through the crisis. But there are many challenges ahead
Lesley Russell, adjunct associate professor at Menzies Centre for Health Policy at the University of Sydney

“Tackling the health, economic, and social crises wrought by the coronavirus pandemic is the first order of business for U.S. president-elect Joe Biden and his transition team. … Biden must, in short order, announce his cabinet and get them working on their agendas; assess which of Trump’s actions need to be undone (including withdrawal from the World Health Organization and the Paris climate agreement); develop legislation and executive orders if he can’t get the Senate to work cooperatively and pass bills that come forward from the House of Representatives; and have a contingency plan in case the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Obamacare in 2021. … Biden has … promised to reinstate the national and international public health and first responder systems that Trump dismantled. This includes bringing back the White House National Security Council Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense and continued support for the work of the World Health Organization. … None of this will be successful unless, and until, Biden can bring Congress together to act and simultaneously begin healing the divisions in the nation. He must restore trust in government and science, ensure transparency and accountability, and build a common purpose so people will act for the common good. That’s a big ask — but the coronavirus pandemic demands it” (11/11).