The World Health Organization’s International Negotiating Body is currently hammering out the details of an agreement — called the pandemic instrument or “pandemic treaty” — to put measures in place to help prevent future pandemics. That seems like a good idea, given the damage a novel virus has done over the past three years.

But viruses aren’t the only microbes that cause pandemics — some of the most devastating (bubonic plague, cholera) have been caused by bacteria. So it was surprising that some of the possible cuts to the latest draft of the pandemic treaty include measures against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Today in The Conversation Canada, Susan Rogers Van Katwyk of York University discusses how AMR is already a serious threat, rendering important drugs like antibiotics ineffective in treating bacterial infections. She explains why it is crucial to include AMR in the pandemic treaty because it will most certainly play a role in the next pandemic, whether it’s viral or bacterial.

Also today:

• Canadian police are becoming more militarized, and that is damaging public trust
• AI clones made from user data pose uncanny risks
• Emotional intelligence is the key to more successful entrepreneurs
• Canada should look to its past and Europe for guidance on media policy — but not south

All the best,