In the world, there are different political philosophies that determine our economic systems and consequently the choices we can make and the freedoms we enjoy.
In the face of the covid19 virus, those different systems expose our vulnerability to react promptly to the best effect.
The South Koreans have harnessed their advanced technology to test and track their citizens. By doing so, their people can use smartphones to distance themselves from infected people or record their interactions with people who subsequently prove to be infected. The spread of the virus slowed rapidly and the ability for people to move beyond their homes reduced the impact on economic activity.
The Chinese were able to lock down cities and enforce a stay at home policy quicker than some Western liberal democracies.
Whilst we in the West were debating the merits of herd resistance, testing and lockdowns were deferred. The surge in deaths and infection have been horrendous in cities like New York, Madrid and Bergamo.
The USA ‘s federal approach and the head in the sand attitude of Belarus will have dire consequences.
Just as climate change required a global effort, pandemics need international cooperation and concerted uniform measures to minimise the death and mayhem in our midst.
odespinner 