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If the government has such strict criteria for testing, might it also not have implemented strict 'stages' that you must proceed through after a diagnosis? And
by pdr2020 7y ago
If the government has such strict criteria for testing, might it also not have implemented strict 'stages' that you must proceed through after a diagnosis? And a further, stricter criteria before even allowing hospitalisation?
My other suspicion is severe cases will try their best to hold off on self-reporting given the strict government testing criteria and lack of awareness/panic.
This is one key way that Japanese and US society diverge - Americans are much less afraid to 'make a fool of themselves' if they believe they are correct/in danger. Japanese unfortunately, much more so and especially when given direct government directions.
- Zarel 7y agoThat doesn't explain the difference in death rates. If Japan were turning away severe life-threatening cases (especially despite plenty of hospital capacity), you'd expect an increase in deaths and rioting in the streets – at the very least, _some_ indication that something was wrong. And if they _weren't_ turning away life-threatening cases, you'd expect reports of hospitals stretched far beyond capacity. There really aren't any other plausible explanations than "Japan actually has significantly fewer or less severe COVID-19 cases than expected". It would have to be an implausibly massive cover-up.
- lovemenot 7y ago>> Japanese unfortunately, much more so .. Look, I can and frequently do make a case for weak Japanese, strong Americans in various domains. But not about this. If culture is a part of the reason for divergence of rates of infection, it's certainly in Japan's favour. Remember, we are talking about society overall. Not what might benefit any given individual.