Thanks for sharing—I’ve been following the PEPFAR situation closely and couldn’t agree more. We’re past the denial and defensive phases. We need people in the Build phase ASAP—ready to focus less on legacy structures and more on what’s possible next. Whether it’s under a new name or framework, the priority now is salvaging U.S. leadership and rebuilding something more durable, equitable, and effective.
This is a very insightful essay - thanks for putting it to words. the Fight, mourn, build frame is useful, although I think there may be some other steps and sub-phases. And, I have to say that I think there's a really important phase of "reflect/envision" that should precede "build". For obvious reasons, we should be building carefully, hopefully better, and with more resilience.
I'm reluctant to encourage anything but "fight" right now, because lives are at stake. I do think there's still a lot to play for, especially in the humanitarian and health sectors. And every dollar we can save in Pepfar and tuberculosis and maternal & child health and RUTF is lives saved. People - mainly children - who will suffer and die for no good reason. I feel we have an ethical obligation to stay in this fight.
As Elon steps back and, hopefully, things normalize a bit. And, especially as Congress, finally finally steps in to play a role through appropriations, rescissions, State Depart authorization, etc. There will be big need and opportunity for "fight" and also, in turn "envision" and "build".
Thanks for sharing—I’ve been following the PEPFAR situation closely and couldn’t agree more. We’re past the denial and defensive phases. We need people in the Build phase ASAP—ready to focus less on legacy structures and more on what’s possible next. Whether it’s under a new name or framework, the priority now is salvaging U.S. leadership and rebuilding something more durable, equitable, and effective.
This is a very insightful essay - thanks for putting it to words. the Fight, mourn, build frame is useful, although I think there may be some other steps and sub-phases. And, I have to say that I think there's a really important phase of "reflect/envision" that should precede "build". For obvious reasons, we should be building carefully, hopefully better, and with more resilience.
I'm reluctant to encourage anything but "fight" right now, because lives are at stake. I do think there's still a lot to play for, especially in the humanitarian and health sectors. And every dollar we can save in Pepfar and tuberculosis and maternal & child health and RUTF is lives saved. People - mainly children - who will suffer and die for no good reason. I feel we have an ethical obligation to stay in this fight.
As Elon steps back and, hopefully, things normalize a bit. And, especially as Congress, finally finally steps in to play a role through appropriations, rescissions, State Depart authorization, etc. There will be big need and opportunity for "fight" and also, in turn "envision" and "build".