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I'll bite as a 
living in 
. I don't think all the same policies were feasible here, but, the approach to policymaking was feasible here and would have improved outcomes 1/n https://twitter.com/ThoenissenC/status/1346384230775975937
living in . I don't think all the same policies were feasible here, but, the approach to policymaking was feasible here and would have improved outcomes 1/n https://twitter.com/ThoenissenC/status/1346384230775975937
1. Humility. The UK's stated aim has been to "control" the virus (which reminds me of 1960s macroeconomics). NZ has been much more humble, never assuming that it can control Covid-19.
2. Accountability. Despite NZ's amazing performance, Jacinda has sacked more cabinet ministers than Boris. When ministers have made mistakes, they have taken responsibility.
3. Transparency. The NZ press briefings (on youtube) are very different from the UK briefings. Ardern, Chris Hipkins, Grant Robertson and Ashley Bloomfield are much more honest and open when taking questions from the media.
4. Goal-setting. When the August Auckland cluster emerged, Auckland was put into lockdown. Ardern clearly stated why the lockdown was needed, what they hoped to achieve, and what targets and when they expected to be judged upon.
5. Local and national response. Contact tracing has involved the community. In particular in communities where public health messaging can be more challenging. Govt has worked with church leaders for example to include church volunteers in contact tracing interviews.
6. A process of continuous improvement. NZ govt has continually sought to start simple and target improvements. The app for example had a more successful rollout than in the UK, in part due to this type of approach.
7. Thinking at least a little bit ahead. When the Auckland lockdown was announced, the govt sent education packs to every affected household the same day.
8. An awareness of inequalities. Both the virus and the associated economic harms target minority ethnic groups. Europeans (incl my ancestors) brought flu to the pacific. NZ has tried to protect vulnerable groups, particularly Maori and Pacific Islanders within and outside of NZ.
Closing the borders with 14 day monitored quarantine for all arrivals may not have been feasible in the UK. But, good government was feasible, and it would have improved health and economic outcomes.
has made mistakes too. Initially they acted very slowly. A furlough scheme would probably have better complemented the public health strategy than their wage-subsidy scheme. But the costs of these mistakes was dampened because of the excellent overall approach to policymaking.
