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> Recognizing reality need not be political, but refusing to recognize reality for political reasons definitely is. Getting China offside means 1 in 5 people o
by ShorsHammer 6y ago
> Recognizing reality need not be political, but refusing to recognize reality for political reasons definitely is.
Getting China offside means 1 in 5 people on Earth would no longer get WHO advice and state media would undermine them at every turn.
Getting Taiwan on side means appeasing political activists in the West and having little if any measurable positive health outcomes, the Taiwanese are used to this state of affairs and have more than competent doctors and lawmakers, they are one of the smartest countries on Earth.
Despite the closeness and affection between my own country and them, when their foreign minister visits they don't go near parliament or meet elected officials in public, they go to trade shows and meet with industry.
As much as it might pain some to accept, compromises are the best outcome for all here, the WHO is being realistic about the position they are in. Hopefully more sideline commentators can be too.
- scottlocklin 6y ago>Getting China offside means 1 in 5 people on Earth would no longer get WHO advice and state media would undermine them at every turn. Doesn't sound like a bad thing if you like Chinese people. WHO has been consistently wrong about everything and is pretty much useless.
- leereeves 6y ago> Getting China offside means 1 in 5 people on Earth would no longer get WHO advice and state media would undermine them at every turn. Basically you're saying the same thing I'm saying. Authoritarian nations are allowed to dictate WHO policy in order to keep them "onside". You're just arguing that it's necessary, and I'm inclined to agree, but it's also the reason the WHO is not an impartial or trustworthy source of information. And it's probably impossible for any such organization to be so at this time.