As of April 1st 2020, there are over 800,000 confirmed cases and almost 40,000 deaths of COVID-19 globally. For the first time in decades, schools and colleges are closing. Airports, restaurants, and tourist attractions are deserted. The United Nations speculate this pandemic has cost the global economy $1 trillion. Middle eastern countries are desperately attempting to fight their market crashes by spending billions on business stimulus packages. So, precisely how are world governments containing this catastrophic virus?
Whilst cases are still booming globally, some governments seem to be successful in getting the Coronavirus under their belt: the Chinese, Koreans, and Singaporeans. China has raised its recovery rate to a staggering 93.3%, leaving less than a tenth of patients to be treated. Singapore has managed to prevent almost all deaths out of their 926 confirmed cases, as their recoveries outpace the infection rate. South Korea has kept its mortality rate at an impressive 1.69%. How did they do it?
Let’s start with China. COVID-19 began there, and their confirmed cases have boomed exponentially , outnumbering infection rates of most affected countries. However, additional cases noticeably started to decrease when the Chinese government implemented the path of lockdowns and forced quarantine. This immediate and effective solution to the outbreak has led authorities of major countries such as the United States and Italy to take on this approach to containing the virus.
Despite the uncontrollable spike in numbers, South Korea is another country that has coped with this pandemic fairly well. With the invaluable sacrifice of countless medical institutions, companies, and government officials, the country has managed to invent ‘free’ Coronavirus testing, testing around 420,000 people nationwide. Innovative approaches of testing such as the ‘drive-thru’ testing booths of Goyang city is another example of revolutionarily convenient testing. Many international leaders like US President Donald Trump and Former Chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schröder have praised South Korea, deeming its model particularly ’effective’ and ‘successful’.
Finally, the Asian city-state that took one of the fastest, most effective approaches to ‘neutralizing’ this deadly pathogen: Singapore. It is undeniable that Singapore has a world-class health system, aggressive tracing and most importantly, a small population. However, it could be argued that the infectious virus would have been more destructive to the island’s small population due to its extremely high population density. Either way, Singapore’s draconian enforcement of policies and quarantine only worked for its informed and willing citizens who are largely accepting of their government’s legislations. Local Singaporeans strictly separated themselves from the rest of the country into self-quarantine if they had traveled abroad. They also only wore masks if they were unwell to maintain sufficient supplies for people really in need.
Although I have no real critical outlook on current governmental decisions made in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, I do want to stress not only the importance of effective, innovative policies, but also the significance of an open-minded population during any humanitarian catastrophe. I truly hope that all citizens around the world continue to follow and cooperate with the regulations given by their respective governments for faster recovery of this tragic pandemic once and for all.
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