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The key to avoiding more lockdowns is finding a way to “live with the virus” through:
Widespread testing
Tracing of contacts
Isolating positive cases
Western countries have made structural, not cultural errors here http://trib.al/X4AUjxs
Widespread testingTracing of contactsIsolating positive casesWestern countries have made structural, not cultural errors here http://trib.al/X4AUjxs
Extensive testing rolled out too slowly & too lateNot enough contact tracersLack of enforcement and financial support to encourage self-isolationThese aren’t questions of philosophy but about implementation of policy http://trib.al/X4AUjxs
Compare that with Asia:
South Korea tested early, and often
In Wuhan, 11 million people were tested over 2 weeks
The positive-test rate in South Korea and Vietnam is below 1%, compared to 10% in France and Spain http://trib.al/X4AUjxs
South Korea tested early, and oftenIn Wuhan, 11 million people were tested over 2 weeksThe positive-test rate in South Korea and Vietnam is below 1%, compared to 10% in France and Spain http://trib.al/X4AUjxs
While contact-tracing strategies such as Hong Kong’s geofencing wristbands would spook the average Westerner, Europeans failed to implement alternatives properly.
Between July & August, the number of contacts traced per case in France fell to 2.4 from 4.5 http://trib.al/X4AUjxs
Between July & August, the number of contacts traced per case in France fell to 2.4 from 4.5 http://trib.al/X4AUjxs
China & South Korea’s decision to monitor patients in special centers is worth considering.
Keeping people cooped up at home doesn’t seem much more liberal. It’s also less effective. One study suggests institutional isolation could avert 3x as many cases http://trib.al/X4AUjxs
Keeping people cooped up at home doesn’t seem much more liberal. It’s also less effective. One study suggests institutional isolation could avert 3x as many cases http://trib.al/X4AUjxs
The difference between Asia & Europe is rooted in recent, not ancient history. Over the past 20 years, Asia has been hit with several epidemics, including:
2003 SARS
2015 MERS
These forced countries to invest in public health http://trib.al/X4AUjxs
2003 SARS2015 MERSThese forced countries to invest in public health http://trib.al/X4AUjxs
As Europeans enter winter lockdowns, they should remember that improvements are achievable.
If Asia managed to learn from past pandemics, the West should be able to as well http://trib.al/X4AUjxs
If Asia managed to learn from past pandemics, the West should be able to as well http://trib.al/X4AUjxs
