POPULATION PREPARADNESS
Many Eastern Asian countries were fast to react to the pandemic threat.
It's not only because of plans or competence, but also because of population preparedness: the social infrastructure already in place that facilitates reaction
(thread, 1/N)
Many Eastern Asian countries were fast to react to the pandemic threat.
It's not only because of plans or competence, but also because of population preparedness: the social infrastructure already in place that facilitates reaction
(thread, 1/N)
2/ For example, it seems that one of the reasons Japan managed to contain the epidemic without going into lock-down is because its citizens made extensive use of face masks.
Its citizens did not (only) use face masks because they were provided by the government & ordered to wear
Its citizens did not (only) use face masks because they were provided by the government & ordered to wear
3/ Instead, many citizens of Eastern Asia already have a stock of masks in their house and already have the habit to wear them when sick on a regular basis.
By all means, I do not intend that everyone does. Rather, I mean that there is already *some* infrastructure in place.
By all means, I do not intend that everyone does. Rather, I mean that there is already *some* infrastructure in place.
4/ Even a competent government must have some social support in order for its measures to be applied.
A government with a population that downplays an emergency will find it harder to react quickly to it (which is important, because early reaction has "more bang for the buck")
A government with a population that downplays an emergency will find it harder to react quickly to it (which is important, because early reaction has "more bang for the buck")
5/ One reason why Eastern Asian countries had already some of this social infrastructure is because of the 2003 SARS epidemic. They got scared and scarred.
Another reason, perhaps linked, is that they conduct massive emergencies drill.
straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia…
Another reason, perhaps linked, is that they conduct massive emergencies drill.
straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia…
6/ I want to make clear that all of the above is applicable regardless of the political system adopted by a country.
Emergency drills can be made everywhere.
Effective communication can be made everywhere.
Emergency drills can be made everywhere.
Effective communication can be made everywhere.
7/ This concept of "social infrastructure for emergency", comprising of:
- distributed resources
- drills
- effective communication
Is by no means sufficient & perhaps not even necessary, but it greatly helps otherwise competent governments (and hedge against their incompetency)
- distributed resources
- drills
- effective communication
Is by no means sufficient & perhaps not even necessary, but it greatly helps otherwise competent governments (and hedge against their incompetency)
