Government Policy

If a pandemic reached the U.S., it would cause widespread illness and death. It would also have a large impact on the way the country would function.

• Social Impact - Travel restrictions, quarantines, isolation, and school closings are some of the social disruptions a pandemic may cause. Community infrastructures (i.e., utilities, transportation, police and fire departments, etc.) may even begin to break down because large numbers of the individuals who provide these services become too ill to work.
• Economic Impact - Every industry would be affected by a pandemic. The threat of getting sick would keep people away from shopping malls and reduce their spending on vacations and luxury items. Industries would also face high absenteeism which would impact the way they do business.
• Service Impact - The Government would need to find alternative ways of providing essential services.