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Frankly, we need both. Look at Hong Kong, which spontaneously cleared the streets to fight the virus. With the protest movements, the government couldn't clear
by roywiggins 7y ago
Frankly, we need both.
Look at Hong Kong, which spontaneously cleared the streets to fight the virus. With the protest movements, the government couldn't clear the streets. The trust in the authorities is minimal. But people chose to stay in. I have seen it suggested that this response is simply because HK remembers SARS.
Quarantines are hard to enforce with brute force. Consent of the governed will make this all way, way easier.
- ISL 7y agoI think China's and HK's experience with SARS made a big difference in the response. The US has no such experience in living memory, so there is no collective gut understanding that epidemics are best dealt with decisively and kept small. Once China's national government took the response seriously, the instantaneous and speedy construction of hospitals was really impressive. We see a little bit of that here in Seattle, with quarantine sites/hotels being prepared, but nothing on the scale which may be required.