Part 7/8:
When discussing the ability of vulnerable nations to cope with a likely pandemic, military leaders expressed deep concerns regarding the infrastructure of fragile public health systems. General Townsend pointed out that while there were no confirmed cases within certain combatant commands as of that moment, suspicion loomed, especially in regions like Djibouti, which sees considerable Chinese presence.
Given previous experiences with Ebola, certain regions in Africa have demonstrated some capacity for managing outbreaks. However, the overall readiness varies widely; many regions are already strained from existing crises, making the potential impact of the coronavirus particularly alarming.