For example, in a study published by Bloomberg, New Zealand is cited as a model of a successful national response, with Taiwan coming in second. The evaluation was conducted based on resilience, morbidity, death rates and vaccine availability. Global health systems were not ready to serve massive populations becoming simultaneously infected by a virus, particularly since COVID-19 lacks a modern peer or predecessor. Without a template or a robust, organised response, countries have struggled to both contain the virus and provide effective health care. The alarming infection rates and death tolls from continent to continent pose sobering questions about the readiness of current healthcare infrastructures to fight a pandemic, even in the world’s most developed and wealthy nations. Nationally and collectively, a focus on preparedness will be essential as we face future pandemics and catastrophes.