Planning Miracles

""Jon Cohen is the real thing: a veteran science journalist of high intelligence, keen judgement, and rock-solid integrity who also writes fascinating books. This one is especially eye-opening and important. Trust him: He sees the pandemic future, it ain’t pretty, but he has positive ideas about what should be done."" —David Quammen, author of Breathless and Spillover “In his new book, Jon Cohen spans the breadth of possibilities in pandemic preparedness - from tackling zoonoses at their source, to producing leading edge vaccines in record time. He presents the point that when curious and talented scientists from around the world are supported to work together, they can create miracles which could prevent disease from emerging and spreading. Yet as shown time and again, including in COVID-19, when the potential advances of science and collaboration are curtailed, or are not shared equitably, people suffer and we all lose. I hope Cohen’s book leads to renewed commitment to support collaboration in science, that will benefit all people, everywhere.” —The Right Honourable Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Co-Chair of The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response “Planning Miracles is an accessible and compelling exploration of the threats pandemics pose to humanity, written in Cohen’s signature clear and engaging style for a broad audience. Drawing on vivid storytelling and on-the-ground reporting, Cohen unpacks the complex interplay of politics, science, and global health. This must-read book offers crucial insights into how pandemics shape our world and what it will take to plan—and hope for—future 'miracles' in public health.” —John Nkengasong, Former Ambassador at Large, U.S Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official, Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy-State Department “Future pandemics and epidemics of deadly infectious diseases are inevitable; we cannot wish these events away. Failing to prepare leaves us as susceptible to their disruptive powers as we were when Covid-19 raced round the globe. But there is much that science is doing and can do to stave off some of these threats and to mitigate the impact of those that cannot be forestalled. Cohen’s Planning Miracles is a masterclass in that research, and the dangers of letting it falter.” —Helen Branswell, Senior Writer, Infectious Diseases and Global Health, STAT