The ability to respond to and recover from the novel coronavirus pandemic also depends on critical infrastructure systems — electricity, water, communications, according to an article on the Utility Dive website.
Ventilators and other equipment essential to treating patients with acute symptoms of the virus depend on electricity to function.
Medical care facilities are required to have backup systems in case of power outages. However, many generators fail when operated for extended periods of time, including those that have undergone required testing.
Our infrastructure workers — the power plant operators, linemen and control room technicians — are at the front lines of confronting this crisis. Core personnel are already being housed at power plants, and some companies are stocking supplies to sequester for months.
Balancing Act: Designing for Safety and Flexibility
Methodist Healthcare Breaks Ground on Methodist ER Medina Valley
Fire Protection in Healthcare: Why Active and Passive Systems Must Work as One
Building Envelope Design: Beyond Energy Efficiency
Outpatient Surge Reshapes Long-Term Strategy for Medical Outpatient Buildings