According to this NY article, the local governments have been prepping for states of emergency such as pandemics since 2001, so what happened? They should have been ready, yes?
"Since 2001, Local Health Departments have collaborated with NYSDOH on local and state preparedness planning and response goals….
…
# Comprehensive, all-hazards planning
# Isolation and quarantine of persons exposed to or infected with a communicable disease
# Pandemic influenza
# Continuity of operations to maintain essential public health services for the public during an emergency
Why is this important?
Simply put, if we fail to plan—we plan to fail. In New York State, 100% of the population lives in a jurisdiction with an emergency preparedness plan. "