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Iceland has done relatively well from what I've read.

by jb1991 6y ago

PunchTornado 6y ago
Iceland is a remote island of 300k people with very low density. Giving it as an example is disingenuous.
- DoofusOfDeath 6y ago
  Good point regarding population density. I don't see the case for calling the GP disingenuous though.
- kingofpandora 6y ago
  But most of the population is concentrated in a rather small area, which national-level population density statics don't capture.
monoideism 6y ago
Notably, and obviously, all 3 examples mentioned in this thread are islands (NZ, Aus, and Iceland). That seems like more than coincidence.
- axolttl88 6y ago
  The ability to limit spread by controlling your border has been a factor, and that’s certainly easier for island nations. But it’s not the only factor: well-managed healthcare systems, clear government policy and action, and public support for controls are also important. e.g. - Vietnam: landlocked, populous, excellent internal response: just over 1000 cases and 35 deaths; approx. 60 active cases currently - UK + Ireland: quite frankly a bit of a mess
  - axolttl88 6y ago
    *Vietnam not landlocked; but in the middle of a very populous region
  - disgruntledphd2 6y ago
    > - UK + Ireland: quite frankly a bit of a mess That is mostly true. However, I would note that Ireland were kinda screwed in some respects by the border with Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK and thus has the incredibly poor response of England and the Tories. We've definitely made a bunch of mistakes, but it would have been a lot easier to deal with Covid were it not for the border (and our vast under-investment in our health service over the last 20-30 years). It's worth noting that the UK cases are far worse than they seem, as uniquely amongst European nations, they only test symptomatic people, even though we know that asymptomatic spread is a big problem with Covid.
- wombatmobile 6y ago
  Thailand. Population 70 million. Total cases 3,743 Deaths 59

Iceland has done relatively well from what I've read.

by jb1991 6y ago

Iceland has done relatively well from what I've read.

PunchTornado 6y ago

Iceland is a remote island of 300k people with very low density. Giving it as an example is disingenuous.

DoofusOfDeath 6y ago
Good point regarding population density. I don't see the case for calling the GP disingenuous though.
kingofpandora 6y ago
But most of the population is concentrated in a rather small area, which national-level population density statics don't capture.

monoideism 6y ago

Notably, and obviously, all 3 examples mentioned in this thread are islands (NZ, Aus, and Iceland). That seems like more than coincidence.

axolttl88 6y ago
The ability to limit spread by controlling your border has been a factor, and that’s certainly easier for island nations. But it’s not the only factor: well-managed healthcare systems, clear government policy and action, and public support for controls are also important. e.g. - Vietnam: landlocked, populous, excellent internal response: just over 1000 cases and 35 deaths; approx. 60 active cases currently - UK + Ireland: quite frankly a bit of a mess
- axolttl88 6y ago
  *Vietnam not landlocked; but in the middle of a very populous region
- disgruntledphd2 6y ago
  > - UK + Ireland: quite frankly a bit of a mess That is mostly true. However, I would note that Ireland were kinda screwed in some respects by the border with Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK and thus has the incredibly poor response of England and the Tories. We've definitely made a bunch of mistakes, but it would have been a lot easier to deal with Covid were it not for the border (and our vast under-investment in our health service over the last 20-30 years). It's worth noting that the UK cases are far worse than they seem, as uniquely amongst European nations, they only test symptomatic people, even though we know that asymptomatic spread is a big problem with Covid.
wombatmobile 6y ago
Thailand. Population 70 million. Total cases 3,743 Deaths 59