Commercial and social entrepreneurs are likely to help communities combat public health crises. Research on responses to pandemics has underappreciated the critical role of entrepreneurs. In the context of post-disaster response and recovery, entrepreneurs provide needed goods and services, repair and rebuild disrupted social networks, and can act as focal points for disaster survivors as they develop their plans to rebuild. During a pandemic, entrepreneurs perform similarly important economic and social functions. This article highlights these functions, including (1) providing the goods needed to survive and combat the pandemic, (2) performing the services needed so that people can stay productive and connected during the pandemic, and (3) acting as a source of community support and leadership. It also discusses how entrepreneurs are able to perform these roles despite operating in an environment that constricts the range and nature of entrepreneurial activity. Finally, this article describes a legal regime that will promote entrepreneurship during a pandemic.

商业和社会企业家可能会帮助社区应对公共卫生危机。对流行病应对措施的研究低估了企业家的关键作用。在灾后响应和恢复的背景下，企业家提供所需的商品和服务，修复和重建中断的社会网络，并且可以在制定重建计划时充当灾难幸存者的联络点。在大流行期间，企业家履行着同样重要的经济和社会职能。本文强调了这些功能，包括 (1) 提供生存和抗击大流行所需的商品，(2) 提供所需的服务，以便人们在大流行期间保持生产力和联系，以及 (3) 作为社区的来源支持和领导。它还讨论了企业家如何能够在限制创业活动范围和性质的环境中发挥这些作用。最后，本文描述了一种将在大流行期间促进创业的法律制度。