3 ms·
> As an Italian, I raise my eyebrows every time China is mentioned as an example for the successful containment of this virus. It could do that because it could
by nullc 7y ago
> As an Italian, I raise my eyebrows every time China is mentioned as an example for the successful containment of this virus. It could do that because it could afford to take the economical hit and because it is an authoritarian state,
You know what is MUCH more effective than an authoritarian response? An _earlier response_.
An earlier response, even if it weaker, is much more potent than a stronger later response.
The intensity of china's response would not be necessary where the response is faster.
> but following rules in place in an outbreak does not mean one should not question their principles.
The best way to preserve civil rights and not have to bend them to protect against loss of life is to respond as early as you can reasonable justify.
In the US the fact that our principles (and laws!) tie our hands somewhat is all the more reason that it's important that we act aggressively within the space that our society allows.
> Personally I'd like fast-tracking of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs instead
Responding earlier keeps people alive longer for those drugs to become available.
- fma 7y agoAgreed. And where is Trump's response? We don't even have enough testing kits. We had 2 months to ramp things up.
- tomp 7y agoAt least he closed the borders. Russia as well. EU can't even do that.
- dhosek 7y agoHe did it in an ineffective way. US nationals were returning from the EU without any screening. And it was way too late. All a bunch of xenophobia theater.
- nullc 7y agoThough I agree with your criticism in broad strokes, this is also a numbers game. If it reduced the number of infected people entering then it was useful. It doesn't have to completely eliminate it to be worth doing. There are legal and logistical challenges in preventing US residents from entering or imposing quarantine. Would strong or (more importantly) earlier responses have been good? Absolutely! But a weak and late response is much better than an even later response (even if the later response is stronger). By the numbers we should prefer a non-US-resident ban-- even without screening/quarantine-- on day 20 than a everyone-ban on day 40.
- jmartinpetersen 7y agoSeveral EU countries have already closed or will be closing their sovereign borders in the next 24 hours. They can do that. They are doing it.
- caseysoftware 7y agoThe China travel ban went into effect 6 weeks ago. Italy, South Korea, and Japan followed not too long after. He was even called a dictator for that. Correction: South Korea & Japan were "do not travel" not specific travel bans.
- fma 7y agoWait, I hope you are joking because you are spreading misinformation. Japan and Korea were NEVER banned. China was and Italy was just a few days ago. Japan: level 2 (exercise caution) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/japan-travel-advisory.html https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/... Korea:level 3 (reconsider) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/south-korea-travel-advisory.html https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/...
- caseysoftware 7y agoMy mistake. You are correct. They weren't travel bans but "don't go there" recommendations. Regardless, they're still a response which refutes your original point.
- malandrew 7y agoRelying solely on the federal government for a response is a single point of failure. Regardless of who is in control of the FDA and CDC, neither agency should have had the ability to block testing. Not having a breakglass feature is downright stupid.
- jacquesm 7y ago> You know what is MUCH more effective than an authoritarian response? An _earlier response_. Absolutely. If this were Kerbal Space Program just about everybody would be able to tell you that the best moment to deflect an orbit is early on when you only need a little push for a giant effect later on. With exponential developments timing is everything.