Dr. Chlebowski contends we need to take better care of our health before disaster strikes: improving our diets, losing weight, exercising and managing stress.The way our bodies interact with infectious disease is complicated both a function of the germ (virus) and the terrain (host). In Part 1 of The Virus and the Host, Dr. Chlebowski describes emerging science on the virome as well as how toxic exposure, chronic inflammation, stealth infections and chronic diseases interact and predispose us to poor outcomes from acute viral infection.As we move forward from the tragedy that was COVID-19, it is essential that we come together to learn from our mistakes and work hard and work together to prevent a similar crisis, or worse, in the future. It is likely we will see more pandemics in the next decade. When we do, we need to be better prepared. Now is the time to do something and it is the best investment we can make so that when not if the next big one hits we can keep our loved ones and ourselves safe and healthy.