Thread by @aaronAcarr, As continues to blame density 4 the spread of Corona, consider [...]

continues to blame density 4 the spread of Corona, consider Seoul, South Korea

Despite being in close proximity to China and — w/ a population of 9.7M — one of the largest cities in Asia, Seoul has had a total of *ZERO* Corona deaths

It’s not density folks, it’s planning

As continues to blame density 4 the spread of Corona, consider Seoul, South KoreaDespite being in close proximity to China and — w/ a population of 9.7M — one of the largest cities in Asia, Seoul has had a total of *ZERO* Corona deathsIt’s not density folks, it’s planning

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_coronavirus_pandemic_in_South_Korea

Yes, density is *a* factor. It’s just not *THE* factor. And it’s most certainly not at excuse for the US’s abject failure to properly plan, properly test, and properly execute. Pandemics can unquestionably be controlled in very dense places. The onus is on us.

“BuT yoU cAnT cOmpAre tHe tWo, America Is a dEmOcRacy”

Actually, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), South Korea’s democracy is slightly stronger than the US’s

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index

“ThE US aNd SoUtH KoReA arE CuLtUraLly diFfERenT”

Testing and tracking isn't culture, it's science. Germany drew lessons from South Korea’s testing model and now has one of the lowest Corona fatality rates in Europe.

Be data driven, not ideological.

“ItS nOt PlAnNInG, ItS WeAThEr”

While weather is a factor, it‘s not a very big one.

There’s no substitute for planning, healthcare preparedness, and early action. https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615381/coronavirus-spread-could-slow-with-warmer-weather/

Warmer weather could slow the spread of coronavirus—but not by much

Several initial analyses of transmission data suggest the pandemic could ease up in summer. But that doesn’t reduce the need for measures like social distancing.

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615381/coronavirus-spread-could-slow-with-warmer-weather/

“SoUtH KoReA anD GeRmaNY aRe JuSt TwO cOunTriEs. ThEy aRe OuTliErS. YoUrE ChErRY pIcKinG.”

Not at all. Here’s a list of other places that — through planning, preparation, and execution — got it right.

Hong Kong, which quickly implemented social distancing measures https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-16/hong-kong-shutdown-is-a-lesson-to-the-world-in-halting-the-virus

Hong Kong Shutdown a Lesson to the World in Halting Virus

As the world struggles with the rapid spread of Covid-19, Hong Kong appears to be having success controlling it -- in part because the memory of a similar virus in 2003 prompted a public outcry early...

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-16/hong-kong-shutdown-is-a-lesson-to-the-world-in-halting-the-virus

Singapore, which “invested heavily in outbreak preparation and building health care infrastructure capacity building after SARS.” https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/23/singapore-teach-united-states-about-covid-19-response/

What Singapore can teach the U.S. about responding to Covid-19 - STAT

The U.S. can learn a lot about stopping the spread of Covid-19 within its borders from Singapore, which entered the coronavirus fray early.

https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/23/singapore-teach-united-states-about-covid-19-response/

Taiwan, which “leveraged its public-health infrastructure and affordable healthcare to keep its population safe and healthy compared with nearby countries.”

(Updated figure: Taiwan has just 373 confirmed cases) https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-taiwan-case-study-rapid-response-containment-2020-3?amp&__twitter_impression=true

Coronavirus rapid response: Taiwan is a case study in containment - Business Insider

https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-taiwan-case-study-rapid-response-containment-2020-3?amp&__twitter_impression=true

New Zealand, which “appears to have dodged an ‘exponential’ rise in coronavirus cases” by taking strict, early action. https://theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/06/new-zealand-sees-positive-signs-amid-strict-coronavirus-lockdown

New Zealand sees 'positive' signs amid strict coronavirus lockdown

Jacinda Ardern won’t rule out pay cuts for ministers when recovery starts as stay-at-home measures deliver some success

https://theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/06/new-zealand-sees-positive-signs-amid-strict-coronavirus-lockdown

Norway, which (unlike Finland and Sweden) took decisive, early action https://www.thenation.com/article/society/covid-norway-interview/

The Difference Between America’s Coronavirus Response and Norway’s

A conversation with Ann Jones, who recently returned to the United States from Norway, about the handling of this crisis.

https://www.thenation.com/article/society/covid-norway-interview/

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