1. #China’s hardcore and draconian lockdown is forceful and arbitrary. Simply stripping away citizen’s freedom and rights works in China because its government holds so much power and there is very little check on its use of those powers.
2. The lack of clear communication of the policies and regulations has created real havoc across #China over the last few months, and when lockdowns are enforced in democratic countries like this, there will for sure be more than verbal complaints.
3. Until today, no one can be 100% confident in the authenticity of the numbers and data that #China is sharing, because the government is known for twisting numbers to make itself look competent. So whether China’s situation has truly been as effective as ...
... its numbers over the last few weeks have suggested is highly questionable.
4. To play devil’s advocate, #Taiwan’s measures and methods should be the model for democratic countries across the world. There are travel bans, active intervention from the government and above all, very transparent and clear explanation of all new cases and policies.
The government’s effective use of technology to help improve the efficiency of its case tracking and prevention is totally doable by most democratic countries.
Most importantly, the central government in #Taiwan is playing the role of a responsible leader and their quarantine measures also let those having to go through the process feel that the government is there to support them, rather than making them feel like it is a punishment.
So to all those who try to argue implementing the #China style epidemic containment could work in democratic countries, please remember all the huge sacrifices that the Chinese people have to go through and imagine if people in democratic countries can willingly accept them.
A more ideal model of epidemic prevention for democracies is the government needs to take the lead, mobilize all resources within its legally-endowed power, and clearly explain the intention of all new policies being rolled out.
Staying on top of all new cases and these individuals’ travel history and history of coming in contact with others so the society doesn’t go into panic mode whenever new cases emerge. These are all things that #Taiwan has done and it is rolled out in a democratic setting.
I’m not here to argue #China’s methods are wrong or ineffective, but when we try to consider the most suitable policies for democracies all around the world, it is very important to put into account the sacrifices that civil society has gone through in China,...
... and whether similar situations won’t set off major public pushback in democratic countries. After all, the contrast between #China’s leadership style and democratic countries’ leadership style remain stark.
