Looking for quote about caution/paranoia in virusspreading

March 16, 2020 10:28 AM

I read a quote this past weekend from the something of Health from I believe the Bush administration. He said something like: "Whatever seems as overly cautious and paranoid before an outbreak, will seems like grossly underestimated danger afterwards." But he said it a million times better. It was a pullout quote in what might have been in the NYTimes.. Fierce Googling gives me nothing. Please help
posted by Thisandthat to Society & Culture (3 answers total)

Best answer: Everything we do before a pandemic will seem alarmist. Everything we do after will seem inadequate."
- Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, Pandemic Influenza Leadership Forum, 2007

Quoted here.
posted by SaltySalticid at 10:38 AM on March 16, 2020 [24 favorites]

Best answer: "Everything we do before a pandemic will seem alarmist, everything we do after will seem inadequate."
– Michael Leavitt

Found it here.
posted by kate4914 at 10:42 AM on March 16, 2020 [3 favorites]

Best answer: See also the Paradox of Preparation and similar quotes from others.
posted by kittydelsol at 11:16 AM on March 16, 2020 [3 favorites]