I'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't last long w/o work. The gov't is not strong, people don'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/

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'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://www.dw.com/en/covid-19-in-africa-milder-than-expected-pandemic-has-experts-puzzled/a-54918467

Besides the obvious (test widely, contact trace), it seems there are 3 lessons from this:
1) Don'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's Trump pushing disinformation or politicians putting their personal ambitions ahead of public health, it's deeply demoralizing. /7

The coercive state — ever eager to club #BLM protesters in America — cannot make people wear masks. #Ukraine's government wants citizens to do the heavy lifting of enforcing masks. (Translation: You get punched in the face. We don't get punched in the ballot box). /8

I always wear a mask outside the house. I avoid mass gatherings. I don't socialize widely. I order groceries, avoid public transportation.

Most people in #Ukraine (where I live) and the US (where I'm from) don't. They don'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's every person for him or herself. /END