‘Speed trumps perfection’: WHO executive director on stemming the spread of disease

In an 80 second clip from a video briefing the World Health Organisation executive director, Dr Michael J Ryan, has delivered a powerful and cogent explanation of exactly what needs to happen to beat the spread of corona-virus. He is a leading authority on the spread of disease and this clip ought to be mandatory viewing.

I’m no epidemiologist and no public health expert. I do believe passionately in science and also in #Factfulness. This man is the global authority on the spread of disease. If you are a leader (in any capacity) watch this. If you are not, watch it too. pic.twitter.com/q0P3xaOVuS

— Conall McDevitt (@ConallMcD) March 14, 2020

“Perfection is the enemy of the good when it comes to emergency management,” Dr Ryan said. “Speed trumps perfection … The greatest error is not to move. The greatest error is to be paralyzed by the fear of failure. If you need to be right before you move, you will never win.”

Dr Michael J Ryan has been at the forefront of managing acute risks to global health for nearly 20 years. He was a field epidemiologist, field coordinator, operational coordinator or director responsible in 12 of the 17 recorded Ebola outbreaks globally before the West Africa Ebola outbreak in 2014.

Accessible version with subtitles ⬇️ Shame on @SkyNews for not making their video accessible to all audiences. pic.twitter.com/1EoRiglOzl

— Krystal Vasquez 🏳️‍🌈 ♿👩🏽‍🔬 (@caffeinatedkrys) March 15, 2020