The European Commission published the report titled ‘Improving pandemic preparedness and management - Lessons learned and ways forward’. It was based on experiences from the current and previous pandemics, experts contemplated ways for Europe to efficiently manage the crisis caused by COVID-19. Guidelines and recommendations have been developed regarding management methods and preparedness of Member States for next pandemics. Dr hab. Małgorzata Łosiewicz, prof. UG, Head of the Division of Journalism and Media of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Gdańsk is the only Polish researcher to have assessed the report.

The report titled ‘Improving pandemic preparedness and management - Lessons learned and ways forward’ has been developed by European Commission’s bodies: Group of Chief Scientific Advisors,, European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies and a virologist, professor Peter Piot, a special advisor to Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission), appointed due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The report was published on 11 November 2020 and is available for download on the Publications Office of the European Union website.

The main question asked by the team of researchers was ‘ How can Europe ensure proper management of epidemics and pandemics and better prepare for them?’. Researchers took a closer look at publications and reports created due to COVID-19 with the additional support of SAPEA researchers opinions (Science Advice for Policy by European Academies). Dr hab. Małgorzata Łosiewicz, prof. UG, Head of the Division of Journalism and Media of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Gdańsk is the only Polish researcher to have assessed the report. As SAPEA expert she assessed and factually commented on the report in terms of crisis communication during COVID-19 pandemic. The issues concerned the trust in information and wide spread of disinformation, infodemic, conspiracy theories (mainly in social media), that pose risk of disproportionate distrust towards scientific proofs and stances.

- In my review, I referred to the strategy of preventing disinformation, meaning managing infodemic. It is based on disseminating factual texts. For that reason, social platforms owners started filtering out false messages and promoting reliable sources. Media discussion was joined by scientific authority figures, politicians and experts who help understand and solve problems related to the pandemic. Certain actions have been also undertaken to manage gossip by searching false information, rebutting them and articulating facts instead. Moreover the report included number of guidelines regarding the creation of  the ‘chains of trust’ (WHO) and research on emotional reactions to information, or mechanisms of information selection – explains dr hab. Małgorzata Łosiewicz, prof. UG.

The document, published on 11 November 2020, highlighted the unpreparedness of the entire world for rapid outbreaks of infectious diseases. The observations and forecasts clearly indicate that their pace will increase, together with socioeconomic costs, including those affecting mental well-being of entire societies.

The report recommendations involve 5 pillars:

• Prevention
• Member Sates coordination strengthening on the international level
• Management and preparedness systems strengthening
• Upholding basic laws and social justice strengthening
• Developing sustainable lifestyles based on solidarity

The recommendations included in the report mainly concern the strengthening of European and global solidarity in terms of management, research and social actions. They include wide range of aspects related to the pandemic and the assumed correlations between various areas (health, environment and social). The conclusions presented in the report include actions to prevent future pandemics and better management of those, specifically the coordination of structures and response mechanisms, strengthening basic systems, like healthcare, supply chain, public health, information, communication, education, protection of basic laws and social justice.

Translation: Adam Myzyk