Countermeasures for Health Care Disruptions During Lockdowns

Abstract

Many countries did not have alternative healthcare arrangements during their initial coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdowns. This is surprising as partial and full lockdowns have been previously used to manage terrorismand the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2002-2003. This paper examines how lockdowns disrupt normal health care services and discusses countermeasures that can be used during lockdowns regardless of the emergency that engendered them. Solutions for consultations and pharmacy operations are discussed pragmatically with frontline clinicians, health care managers, and policy-makers in mind. Mental health services are used as a case in point with generalizable lessons for other healthcare specialties.