Learning from Responses to COVID-19 in Washington State

Abstract: The response to COVID-19 in Washington state, while containing many successes, has also highlighted a need for cross-sector collaboration and collaborative governance, systems thinking, and engagement of diverse interests and perspectives, to prepare for new or recurring emergencies, as well as for recovery. In order to make sure that learning and sharing takes place, leaders from a wide range of sectors in the state have asked the William D. Ruckelshaus Center to initiate a Learning Lessons from Responses to COVID-19 Project. This workshop will briefly introduce the project, present findings of its first phase and plans for its next phase, and provide opportunity to compare responses to and lessons from the pandemic in different parts of the world, as well as discuss race, equity, and social justice principles and disproportionate impacts. The workshop will include moderated discussion among presenters and attendees.

Keywords: public policy, public health, COVID-19, emergency response, cross-sector collaboration, collaborative governance, equity, social justice