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I& #39;ve watched the #COVID19 responses of three democracies with particular interest: #Ukraine, #USA and #Israel. All three countries failed for their own specific reasons. What are the lessons from their experiences? Thread: 1/
#Ukraine started out well, but is poor. People can& #39;t last long w/o work. The gov& #39;t is not strong, people don& #39;t trust the authorities and the medical system is underdeveloped. No contact tracing.
Once Ukraine reopened, cases skyrocketed and the government threw up its hands. 2/
Once Ukraine reopened, cases skyrocketed and the government threw up its hands. 2/
America defies a short summary. But despite wealth & quality healthcare, total politicization of the pandemic, partisan divides, racial and regional tensions, conspiracy theories, a dysfunctional state-based response and Trump have made the US look like a failed state. 3/
And then #Israel: Small, wealthy, good medicine, crisis experience, a "national" state. I thought it would do well. Initially, it did. Then, due to a too rapid reopening, Netanyahu& #39;s hubris and growing politicization, it failed. Now, Israel is reimposing lockdown. 4/
Who succeeded? For the most part, Asian countries w/ SARS experience, wealthy islands (Australia/New Zealand), wealthy & orderly Western countries (Canada/Germany) — and, to a degree, Africa (for different, complex reasons). 5/ https://time.com/5851633/best-global-responses-covid-19/">https://time.com/5851633/b... https://www.dw.com/en/covid-19-in-africa-milder-than-expected-pandemic-has-experts-puzzled/a-54918467">https://www.dw.com/en/covid-...
Besides the obvious (test widely, contact trace), it seems there are 3 lessons from this:
1) Don& #39;t politicize the pandemic.
2) Have resources to throw at healthcare & the public.
3) Build on past experience (SARS)
Item #1 — available to all — appears to be the big challenge. /6
1) Don& #39;t politicize the pandemic.
2) Have resources to throw at healthcare & the public.
3) Build on past experience (SARS)
Item #1 — available to all — appears to be the big challenge. /6
I have never felt more disappointed with democracy than as I watch politics stand in the way of the #coronavirus response.
Whether it& #39;s Trump pushing disinformation or politicians putting their personal ambitions ahead of public health, it& #39;s deeply demoralizing. /7
Whether it& #39;s Trump pushing disinformation or politicians putting their personal ambitions ahead of public health, it& #39;s deeply demoralizing. /7
The coercive state — ever eager to club #BLM protesters in America — cannot make people wear masks. #Ukraine& #39;s government wants citizens to do the heavy lifting of enforcing masks. (Translation: You get punched in the face. We don& #39;t get punched in the ballot box). /8
I always wear a mask outside the house. I avoid mass gatherings. I don& #39;t socialize widely. I order groceries, avoid public transportation.
Most people in #Ukraine (where I live) and the US (where I& #39;m from) don& #39;t. They don& #39;t because the political system has enabled them. /9
Most people in #Ukraine (where I live) and the US (where I& #39;m from) don& #39;t. They don& #39;t because the political system has enabled them. /9
What comes after the pandemic? I hope either changes to the system that force everyone to do their part in carrying the weight of the greater good. Or changes that recognize, finally, that it& #39;s every person for him or herself. /END
