1/In US/Europe, lockdown v economy is a tradeoff that we can (if we put people>profits) navigate.
In low-income countries w/informal economies, teleworking, stimulus, food aid are not options. If you live in slum, you actually can't socially distance.
economist.com/middle-east-an…
In low-income countries w/informal economies, teleworking, stimulus, food aid are not options. If you live in slum, you actually can't socially distance.
economist.com/middle-east-an…
2/ Is it better for low-income countries to lockdown or not?
The risk/benefit not as clear as in US. The downsides of a lockdown may be far, far worse than rampant COVID in many countries.
The risk/benefit not as clear as in US. The downsides of a lockdown may be far, far worse than rampant COVID in many countries.
3/ Reminds me of choice HIV+ mothers I cared for >decade ago in places w/o clean water had to make -
breastfeed & risk passing HIV to your baby OR
formula feed & risk your baby getting potentially fatally ill from diarrhea
breastfeed & risk passing HIV to your baby OR
formula feed & risk your baby getting potentially fatally ill from diarrhea
4/ We need 3rd way that transcends these tradeoffs but hard to imagine when everyone is on the ropes.
Flipside is that if anyone knows how to overcome epidemics & struggle, it is these communities that have never been without them & have taught so many of us how to.
Flipside is that if anyone knows how to overcome epidemics & struggle, it is these communities that have never been without them & have taught so many of us how to.
