Sec. 4. Considerations
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In carrying out its duties in furtherance of the purposes specified in section 2, the Commission shall consider the following: Compiling a full and complete accounting of the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the 2019 novel coronavirus, the Nation’s preparedness for the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic, and the actions taken by Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments at critical junctures before and after the World Health Organization designated the 2019 novel coronavirus as a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020.
Evaluating the effectiveness of United States public health reconnaissance and intelligence in recognizing the COVID–19 pandemic at its source and effectively mobilizing the nation to meet the challenge of the pandemic. Identifying biological collaborations among government, private, nonprofit, not-for-profit entities, and other scientific communities, evaluating the manner in which such collaborations can increase the risk of accidental releases of harmful pathogens, and making recommendations that will decrease such risks.
Identifying the lead person or agency of the Federal Government responsible for conducting the reconnaissance and intelligence in
(1)and evaluating the performance of this entity and the efficacy of the assignment of such lead to this entity. Articulating the policy objectives of the Federal Government in preparing, responding to and recovering from a pandemic and the performance metrics and standards to evaluate contributions to the overall objectives as articulated. Identifying the current agency of the Federal Government with the lead for pandemic preparedness and response. Evaluating the integration of the pandemic planning into the National Preparedness System and other preparedness activities throughout the Federal Government. Evaluating the performance of the Federal, State, and local governments in preparing for and responding to the COVID–19 declared emergency within the context of the National Preparedness System. Assessment of the assignment of roles and responsibilities among Federal, State, and local governments in preparing for, responding to and recovering from the COVID–19 pandemic. Evaluation of the performance of an all-hazard preparedness and response system in meeting the challenges of the COVID–19 emergency and whether actions should be taken to adapt preparedness and response to unique circumstances related to pandemics. Evaluating whether the identification of lead person or agency for pandemic preparedness is clear and effective and whether the lead for pandemic preparedness and response requires consolidation or should be reassigned to an alternative agency. Examining ways to improve integration and coordination of preparedness and responses to pandemics at all levels of government, Federal, State, and local. Evaluating the resilience of production responses to the COVID–19 crisis particularly those related medicines, medical equipment, protective equipment and other medical supplies and the role of the Federal and other governments in responding to supply chain needs for pandemics. Identifying and evaluating the degree of reliance of the United States on vulnerable supply chains for medicines, medical equipment, protective equipment and other medical supplies necessary to prepare for and respond to a pandemic and all reasonable alternatives for mitigating such vulnerabilities in future pandemics. Evaluating the contribution of the Defense Production Act in the COVID–19 emergency and whether this law should be amended to improve pandemic preparedness and response. Evaluating the National Stockpile in preparing for and responding to pandemics, the performance of the National Stockpile in responding to the COVID–19 emergency, and all reasonable alternatives improving the management and contributions of the Stockpile in preparing for and responding to future pandemics. Evaluating the role of the Federal Government in developing and approving surveillance, testing, treatments, therapeutics and vaccines for COVID–19 and all reasonable alternatives to improve the development of therapeutics and vaccines in future pandemics. Evaluating the Federal, State, and local response to the COVID–19 emergency related to ensuring adequate national surge capacity infrastructure in hospitals and medical centers and alternatives for improving such preparedness and response to ensure adequate capacity in future pandemics. Identifying and evaluating the array of public health interventions at the Federal, State, and local levels, including mask orders, social distancing practices, stay-at-home directives, school and business closures, and other measures, implemented in response to the COVID–19 emergency and evaluating all reasonable alternatives for improving such public health responses in future pandemics with a due consideration of the economic and other public health costs and tradeoffs associated with such measures. Evaluating the performance of financial markets and regulators during the COVID–19 emergency. Evaluating the overall efficacy of the Federal economic response to the COVID–19 emergency and recommendations for modifying those responses to improve preparedness and response to future pandemics. Any other feature of the COVID–19 emergency that would improve the prevention, preparedness and response to future pandemic emergencies.