Zimmer Biomet's response to a US FDA Form-483 says the firm was unaware of the quality systems woes at the targeted Biomet Warsaw, Ind., plant before its 2015 acquisition of the company. But, it emphasized, comprehensive fixes were in the works even before the 2016 agency inspection that generated more than a dozen substantive observations took place.

Robotic technology and navigation can elicit defensive views among orthopedic surgeons, but there is nothing to fear and all to gain. Modern implants and joint replacements perform so well that incremental product changes won't substantially improve outcomes; the only way to take them to the next level is through the use of robotics.

There can be no such thing as a COVID dividend, but the renewed digital push and momentum for health system change perhaps come closest.