Submitted: Epidemic Response Act

[Anime Daisuki]

Here is my attempt at writing a WA proposal. Please give your comments so it may be improved.

The genesis of the proposal is the fact that some real life nations, like Indonesia in the current Swine Flu pandemic, do not cooperate with the world in the sharing of viral information -- information which is needed to research for vaccines. Their selfish action endangers everybody.

Virulent Epidemic Emergency Act


THE WORLD ASSEMBLY,

NOTING the danger posed by communicable diseases, especially those whose etiology, pathology, and prognosis are unknown and causes human fatality.

REALIZING that a nation that intentionally withhold information about an epidemic within its borders places the international community at risk by impeding the ability of others to put into action plans to contain the disease or research for a vaccine.

REQUIRE member nations to:

1) Report an outbreak to the World Health Authority (established under WA Resolution #31) if the incidence rate of a disease in any localized area reaches a level of more than twice when compared to the same calender month in the previous year;

2) Take immediate measures to combat a local outbreak while it is still in the incipient stages. These measures may include, but are not limited to, the following: Providing medical care to infected individuals, issuing public news updates, providing facemasks (if airborne), providing clean water (if water borne), burning or burying of corpses, eradicating vermin, insects and culling of livestock (if carried by them), using surveillance to track potentially infected individuals, and if necessary, isolating them in their homes or in hospitals;

3) Share viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens samples with the World Health Authority so that the international community is kept abreast of developments if the disease evolve in virulence or traits;

4) Allow health inspectors from the World Health Authority, international aid agencies, and reporters to travel to the affected area to provide aid to infected individuals, conduct research, distribute medical supplies and vaccines, or report the latest developments to the international community;

5) Act responsibly in the control of the nation's land, sea, and airports. Impose travel restrictions, if recommended by the World Health Authority, to help control the spread of the disease; and

6) Cooperate at all times with the World Health Authority on issues not enumerated.

I wonder if, we should add a clause to the proposal to give it some teeth? Something like "DO THIS OR ELSE"... =p

Comments welcome.

[Mutanatia]

Change "take" to "Enact," and change "allow" to "permit." It makes it seem more official looking

[Anime Daisuki]

Noted. I'm also thinking of changing the name, but can't decide what best to call it.

*Hmmm....*

[Mutanatia]

How about "World Epidemic Act?" It's short and sweet, to the point, and covers all epidemics. Not all of them HAVE to be viruses, you know Some could be "bacteria and other pathogens," as you duly noted above. Unless I'm mistaken, doesn't "virulent" limit it just to viruses?

[Belriel]

I'm going to point out things as I see them, to save you from the WA Forum guys (unless I'm too late).

...and causes human fatality....

Keep in mind when writing proposals that not all nations are inhabited by humans (annoying as heck for language, I guess just use 'fatalities' here.)

REQUIRE member nations to: 1)...

Just a formatting thing, this may be preference, but I would change it to: HEARBY and then your action verbs numbered and so forth. This clearly defines the preamble from the business end.

Report an outbreak to the World Health Authority (established under WA Resolution #31)

Ack. I know what you're trying to do, and in real politics this would be ideal.. BUT in NationStates this is illegal and defined as a 'House of Cards' effect. Basically, your proposal is broken if resolution #31 is repealed.. so you have to make it stand alone. Extra points if you can make the abbreviation spell something disease related.

Report an outbreak ... if the incidence... reaches a level of more than twice when compared to the same calender month in the previous year...

I guarantee you will be asked to clarify that. "When the infected population more than doubles over the course of one calendar year"? I am asked to clarify things a lot that I think are already clear.. so be prepared for that.

4) Allow health inspectors from the World Health Authority, international aid agencies, and reporters to travel to the affected area to provide aid to infected individuals, conduct research, distribute medical supplies and vaccines, or report the latest developments to the international community;

There's not anything particularly wrong with this clause, but you will get a lot of flack on it, particularly on mandating that member nations allow reporters into their nations when they may have 100% government-controlled news agencies. Just a heads up.



Having said that, it's a pretty neat proposal, but needs some heavy tweaking.. oh and Pandemic 2 Much?. I like the idea behind it, it doesn't suggest anything earth shattering morally or economically. Pretty mellow, which is good.

Any idea what category and strength it would be?

[Anime Daisuki]

May 27, 2009 23:40:14 GMT -5 Belriel said:

Keep in mind when writing proposals that not all nations are inhabited by humans (annoying as heck for language, I guess just use 'fatalities' here.)

I rather be specific than try to be all inclusive but end up being unclear. Put it another way, while it may get criticized by cat-nations, dog-nations, etc, the resolution, is not in the first place, directed at them. My intended audience is the body of nations inhabited by humans. Removing the word "human" could cause people to question "what kind of fatalities", and that's not ideal either.

Just a formatting thing, this may be preference, but I would change it to: HEARBY and then your action verbs numbered and so forth. This clearly defines the preamble from the business end.

Not sure I get what you mean, can you clarify?

Ack. I know what you're trying to do, and in real politics this would be ideal.. BUT in NationStates this is illegal and defined as a 'House of Cards' effect. Basically, your proposal is broken if resolution #31 is repealed.. so you have to make it stand alone. Extra points if you can make the abbreviation spell something disease related.

I guarantee you will be asked to clarify that. "When the infected population more than doubles over the course of one calendar year"? I am asked to clarify things a lot that I think are already clear.. so be prepared for that.

Noted. But I'm not thinking about posting it on the NS forums at this point. One, I don't see alot of constructive posts there. Two, most of the nations there are not delegates, so it won't help my case.

There's not anything particularly wrong with this clause, but you will get a lot of flack on it, particularly on mandating that member nations allow reporters into their nations when they may have 100% government-controlled news agencies. Just a heads up.

Noted. I guess health inspectors will suffice.

Any idea what category and strength it would be?

Social Justice since the desc. fits the best. And probably strength=mild since the limited scope of policy area this will affect.

-AD

[Belriel]

To clarify on the format bit (which again, may not be necessary for the sake of passing, but does help to give your proposal 'teeth' I think).

The only thing necessary to add is the creation and definition of duties of your new health organization.

Virulent Epidemic Emergency Act - Edited said:

Virulent Epidemic Emergency Act


THE WORLD ASSEMBLY,

NOTING the danger posed by communicable diseases, especially those whose etiology, pathology, and prognosis are unknown and causes human fatality.

REALIZING that a nation that intentionally withhold information about an epidemic within its borders places the international community at risk by impeding the ability of others to put into action plans to contain the disease or research for a vaccine.

HEARBY

1) CREATES the [insert viral research and containment organization name] and defines its duties as:
a. DUTY
b. DUTY...

2) MANDATES that all member nations report any outbreak to the World Health Authority (established under WA Resolution #31) [insert interesting organization here] if the incidence rate of a disease in any localized area reaches a level of more than twice when compared to the same calender month in the previous year;

3) MANDATES that all member nations take immediate measures to combat a local outbreak while it is still in the incipient stages. These measures may include, but are not limited to, the following:
a. Providing medical care to infected individuals.
b. Issuing public news updates.
c. Providing facemasks (if airborne).
d. Providing clean water (if water borne).
e. Burning or burying of corpses.
f. Eradicating vermin, insects and culling of livestock (if carried by them)
g. Using surveillance to track potentially infected individuals, and if necessary, isolating them in their homes or in hospitals;

4) MANDATES that all member nations share viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens samples with the World Health Authority [insert new name here] so that the international community is kept abreast of developments if the disease evolve in virulence or traits;

5) MANDATES that all member nations allow health inspectors from the World Health Authority, international aid agencies, and reporters to travel to the affected area to provide aid to infected individuals, conduct research, distribute medical supplies and vaccines, or report the latest developments to the international community;

6) MANDATES that all member nations act responsibly in the control of the nation's land, sea, and airports. Impose travel restrictions, if recommended by the World Health Authority, to help control the spread of the disease; and

7) MANDATES that all member nations cooperate at all times with the World Health Authority on issues not enumerated.

[Jesioneka]

AD,

Per your request, I'm going to riff off the last post which has some good, constructive changes and make a few suggested edits:

THE WORLD ASSEMBLY,

NOTING the danger posed by communicable diseases, especially those whose etiology, pathology, and prognosis are unknown and cause human fatality,

REALIZING that a nation that intentionally withholds information about an epidemic within its borders places the international community at risk by impeding the ability of others to put into action plans to contain the disease or research for a vaccine:

1) CREATES the [insert viral research and containment organization name] and defines its duties as:
a. DUTY;
b. DUTY;...

2) REQUIRES that all member nations report any outbreak to the World Health Authority (established under WA Resolution #31) [insert interesting organization here] if the incidence rate of a disease in any localized area reaches a level of more than twice that of the same calendar month in the previous year;

3) STRONGLY URGES that all member nations take immediate measures to combat a local outbreak while it is still in the incipient stages, including, but not limited to, the following:
a. Providing medical care to infected individuals;
b. Issuing public news updates;
c. Providing face masks (if airborne);
d. Providing clean water (if water borne);
e. Burning or burying corpses;
f. Eradicating any flora or fauna that carry the disease;
g. Using surveillance to track potentially infected individuals, and if necessary, isolating them in their homes or in hospitals;

4) REQUIRES that all member nations share viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens samples with the World Health Authority [insert new name here] so that the international community is kept abreast of developments if the disease evolves in virulence or other characteristics;

5) FURTHER REQUIRES that all member nations allow health inspectors from the World Health Authority, international aid agencies, and reporters to travel to the affected area to provide aid to infected individuals, conduct research, distribute medical supplies and vaccines, or report the latest developments to the international community, as appropriate;

6) MANDATES that all member nations act responsibly in the control of the nation's land, sea, and airport and impose travel restrictions, if recommended by the World Health Authority, to help control the spread of the disease;

7) ASKS that all member nations cooperate at all times with the World Health Authority on issues not enumerated; and

8) RECOMMENDS the consideration of WA-imposed or other international sanctions should a nation recklessly, purposefully, or knowingly fail to comply with this resolution.

--

A couple notes, outside of the grammatical issues I addressed.

I weakened item #3 from a compulsory mandate to a permissive request. This should help passage, as some of those measures could be construed as quite far-reaching for the WA's jurisdiction. Nationalists will take less offense, this way, although it admittedly weakens the aim of your resolution. This is really a political judgment call on your part.

I took a similar tack with #7, but for a different reason. It's practically impossible to mandate cooperation on issues not enumerated, so I think it's okay to soften the language here.

This is all done, by the way, to permit stronger recourse (i.e., possible sanctions) via #8 -- the "teeth" of the resolution. I think it's a far trade off to remove the mandates from #3 and #7 if it gets you a strong enforcement mechanism in #8.

In any event, keep what you like. This was fun

- Jes

[Anime Daisuki]

Thanks for the input Jes and Belriel, those are all very good suggestions.

[Anime Daisuki]

New TITLE: Epidemic and Pandemic Response Act


THE WORLD ASSEMBLY,

NOTING the danger posed by communicable diseases, especially those whose etiology, pathology, and prognosis are unknown and cause human fatality,

REALIZING that a nation that intentionally withholds information about an epidemic within its borders places the international community at risk by impeding the ability of others to put into action plans to contain the disease or research a vaccine:

1) CREATES the Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response Center (EPARC) within the World Health Authority. The EPARC shall serve the following primary functions:
a. Identifying and confirming international outbreaks;
b. Coordinating international outbreak response using resources from scientific institutions in World Assembly member nations, medical initiatives, regional technical networks, and international humanitarian nongovernmental organizations; and
c. Strengthening biosafety and readiness for outbreaks of dangerous and emerging pathogens.

2) REQUIRES that all member nations report any outbreak to the World Health Authority EPARC if the incidence rate of a disease in any localized area reaches a level of more than twice that of the same calendar month in the previous year;

3) STRONGLY URGES that all member nations take immediate measures to combat a local outbreak while it is still in the incipient stages, including, but not limited to, the following:
a. Providing medical care to infected individuals;
b. Issuing public news updates;
c. Eradicating any flora or fauna that carry the disease;
d. Quarantining infected individuals in their homes or in hospitals;

4) REQUIRES that all member nations share viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens samples with the World Health Authority EPARC so that the international community is kept abreast of developments if the disease evolves in virulence or other characteristics;

5) FURTHER REQUIRES that all member nations allow health inspectors from the World Health Authority and international aid agencies to travel to the affected area to provide aid to infected individuals, conduct research, distribute medical supplies and vaccines, or report the latest developments to the international community, as appropriate;

6) MANDATES that all member nations act responsibly in the control of the nation's land, sea, and airport and impose travel restrictions, if recommended by the World Health Authority EPARC, to help control the spread of the disease;

7) ASKS that all member nations cooperate at all times with the World Health Authority EPARC on issues not enumerated; and

8) RECOMMENDS the consideration of WA-imposed or other international sanctions should a nation purposefully or knowingly fail to comply with this resolution.

[Anime Daisuki]

should there be no more comments, this will be submitted tomorrow

[Anime Daisuki]

SUBMITTED:

Epidemic and Pandemic Response Act


THE WORLD ASSEMBLY,

NOTING the danger posed by communicable diseases, especially those whose etiology, pathology, and prognosis are unknown and cause human fatality;

REALIZING that a nation that intentionally withholds information about an epidemic within its borders places the international community at risk by impeding the ability of others to put into action plans to contain the disease or research a vaccine;

HEREBY

1) CREATES the Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response Center (EPARC) within the World Health Authority. The EPARC shall serve the following primary functions:
a. Identifying and confirming international outbreaks;
b. Coordinating international outbreak response using resources from scientific institutions in World Assembly member nations, medical initiatives, regional technical networks, and international humanitarian nongovernmental organizations; and
c. Strengthening readiness for outbreaks of dangerous and emerging pathogens.

2) REQUIRES that all member nations report any outbreak to the World Health Authority EPARC if the incidence rate of a disease in any localized area reaches a level of more than twice that of the same calendar month in the previous year;

3) STRONGLY URGES all member nations enact immediate measures to combat a local outbreak while it is still in the incipient stages, including, but not limited to, the following:
a. Providing medical care to infected individuals;
b. Issuing public news updates;
c. Eradicating insects, vermin, or livestock if they carry the disease;
d. Quarantining infected individuals in their homes or in hospitals;

4) REQUIRES that all member nations share viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens samples with the World Health Authority EPARC so that the international community can research a vaccine and is kept abreast of developments if the disease evolves in virulence or other characteristics;

5) FURTHER REQUIRES that all member nations allow health inspectors from the World Health Authority and international aid agencies to travel to the affected area to provide aid to infected individuals, conduct research, distribute medical supplies and vaccines, or report the latest developments to the international community, as appropriate;

6) MANDATES that all member nations act responsibly in the control of the nation's land, sea, and airport and impose travel restrictions, if recommended by the World Health Authority EPARC, to help control the spread of the disease; and

7) ASKS that all member nations cooperate at all times with the World Health Authority EPARC on issues not enumerated.

[Anime Daisuki]

@ All members:

If you know any WA delegates, please bring their attention to the above proposal and ask for their help to endorse it. Thanks!

www.nationstates.net/page=UN_proposal1/match=epidemic

[Anime Daisuki]

Approvals: 110 (Todd McCloud, HockeyNutville, Bordoria, New Catolonia, Sydia, Puchi, Free secular Humanists, William Alexander, Wilkshire, Spartan Messenia, Russipines, Veilyonia, Low-Niewoh, San Esprito, The Monkye, Keyestertopia, Melanie Long, NewTexas, ROMPA, Top Hats and Berets, Kohhih Kappu, Xanthal, Revillagigedo, Allied Governments, William Bettingham, Fabrucia, Altane, The Nathremai Hegemony, The Mattabooloo, Briltik, Infinis, Kandarin, Darkwood of PanGaea, Chelmsfield, Goethe, Rainbow Isles, Lutessia, R539, United Ohio and NKY, New Old New New York, Garchyland, Skizzy Lizzy, Nemonicus, Angelus130, Glen-Rhodes, Ventei, Surote, Charlotte Ryberg, Little Basses, L2, Zavina, Lindukterini, Hwang Land, Naf Naf, Meydenbauer, Central Nation, Cooliestan, Saxon Amer cest Helix, Findia, Belarum, Kleinekatzen, New Chalcedon, MDRunie, Magdalo, Lain_land, Worldia555, Cachette de Lions, Thorreich, Greater Americania, Siberian wastelands, Jahamalad, DMC ERIN, Frattastan, Grace James, Seng Han, Minyos, Luciferasia, Ashmore, Matthuria, Trektopolis, Serilaphis, Tiesa, Hangerlan, Free Thinking Gamblers, Kapellen, Chuck Norris Haters, Shanlyn, Incredible indians, Bangkapi, Isle de Beaulieu, New Portage, Kingsley Bedford, Joobie, South chw, -Hellkite-, Joetobonia, Nigeren, Gaiah, East Hylia, Mikeswill, Floreria, Valipac, Anime Daisuki, Alsted, Malessere, Soul Mates, Emperor Python, Prison Grove, Tree-Beard, Annobal)

The Epidemic Response Act has received 110 approvals so far from WA delegates, one of the highest in recent times. (As a comparison, the 'Food Welfare Act' about 80+). There are still 3 days to go so it might still go up.

If you had asked your friends to endorse it, like Ananke did, I thank you.

[Hockeynutville]

Hmmm, to think you've had this hidden talent for writing resolutions all this time and only now getting around to changing the world...

[Sir Lans]

This is now up and is doing pretty well so far.