Why America’s Coronavirus Response CAN'T Match South Korea’s | The Long Road Ahead
Overview
America’s coronavirus response cannot match South Korea’s. It’s simply too late. Read on to find out how South Korea has slowed the spread, why the US is failing, and how Trump’s backtracking dangerously threatens efforts to ‘flatten the curve.’
Why did I write this?
This is affecting every person and every industry on the planet. I felt inspired to investigate the truth about this pandemic for myself, how we’ve handled it in the US, and what we could be doing better. Staying informed is the first step in fighting the spread of COVID-19.
Looking to the Past
“... we have to keep leading the global response, because the best way to stop this disease, the best way to keep Americans safe, is to stop it at its source — in West Africa.”
“I think every aspect of our society should be prepared. I don’t think it’s going to come to that, especially with the fact that we’re going down, not up.... But, yeah, I think schools should be preparing and, you know, get ready just in case.... We have it so well under control. I mean, we really have done a very good job.”
Trump's handling of this pandemic is nowhere near as thought out, smooth, or effective as Obama's response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014. While these two situations are very different, a lesson can be learned from the opposing approaches of these two presidents.
Trump’s Backtracking dangerously Threatens Ability to Flatten the Curve
Last week, Trump was at least somewhat consistent about his tactics to combat the spread of coronavirus. A March 16th Vox headline reads, "Trump finally had a competent press conference on the coronavirus. It’s the bare minimum, but it’s important for public health."
One good press conference and a few days of competency don't repeal his initial comments on the coronavirus:
“[Trump] called concerns about the virus a ‘hoax.’ He said on national television that, based on nothing more than a self-admitted ‘hunch,’ the death rate of the disease is much lower than public health officials projected. And in February, he said of the coronavirus, ‘One day it’s like a miracle, it will disappear.’”
Nonetheless, Trump began urging people to stay home, to social distance, and to shut events and businesses down to slow the spread of the virus... But he has totally backtracked, virtually overnight.
During his press conference Monday evening, it was easy to see the wheels coming off. He began saying things like: "America will again and soon be open for business," and, "If it were up to the doctors, they’d say let’s shut down the entire world."
This came, "... one week after the White House released guidelines for all Americans to keep their distance."
the pentagon & health officials detest
re-opening by easter
“The president’s prediction that the U.S. economy would be up-and-running by Easter, however, was tempered by comments earlier in the day by top officials at the Pentagon who predicted the COVID-19 outbreak could last anywhere from 10 weeks to three months.”
“It should not be lost on anyone that there’s no such thing as a functioning economy and society so long as COVID-19 continues to spread uncontrolled in our biggest cities.”
At a time when over 50% of the American population are legally mandated to stay at home, the president can't offer one consistent or unified message. The response tactic has totally changed. And if we don’t seriously mitigate the spread now, the economy will be shut down for even longer.
But the question remains: was this ever the correct response?
Looking to South Korea’s
Coronavirus Response
Before Trump decided to act, he denied the reality that the coronavirus could drastically affect the United States. That's extremely clear. The result has been a retroactive containment strategy, and much of the American public are still clinging to Trump's initial assertions that this is just like the flu or that it's media hype.
How can Americans stop the spread of the virus with an inconsistent plan of action and people who aren't willing to do their part? The reality is, we probably can't. It's too late for us. Though we can look to South Korea for how they've 'flattened their curve.'
Here's the synopsis from a recent New York Times article: "The country showed that it is possible to contain the coronavirus without shutting down the economy, but experts are unsure whether its lessons can work abroad."
South Korea has had an outbreak, but they've been able to effectively slow transmission... without shutting down their entire economy. How is that possible? According to the same NYT article, there are four steps in this process.
1. "Intervene Fast, Before It’s a Crisis"
The first confirmed case of coronavirus in America was reported January 20th, 2020, and Trump didn’t ask Congress for response funds until February 24th.
2. "Test Early, Often and Safely"
Government officials and news outlets have repeatedly stated that the US has a shortage of tests, which will soon be prioritized for certain patients unless more can be produced.
3. "Contact Tracing, Isolation and Surveillance"
The response was too slow, and there are simply too many cases now and too few tests to put this method into action. (Testing all those who came in contact with someone who tested positive within a 48-hour period.)
4. "Enlist The Public’s Help"
Because of differing state-by-state responses and varying mindsets, this simply won’t happen on a mass scale until this pandemic hits an irreversible point.
Firstly and most importantly, officials in South Korea began to act within a week of their first case. They started rapidly producing tests to help target and contain the virus. If detected early, it's much easier to slow the rate of transmission and treat those infected.
Once tested positive, health officials would track the infected person's movements to see who they'd come in contact with and if they’d spread it further. This is a crucial additional step in containment (and one we're not exactly utilizing in the US.)
When this practice became nearly impossible because of an increase in positive cases, the government began alerting people by phone where and when infected people had been. If a citizen got the alert, they'd have the green light to get themselves tested at a drive-through facility.
Step number four is why South Korea's tactic won't work in the US. Here's part of the method:
“Leaders concluded that subduing the outbreak required keeping citizens fully informed and asking for their cooperation, said Mr. Kim, the vice health minister.
Television broadcasts, subway station announcements and smartphone alerts provide endless reminders to wear face masks, pointers on social distancing and the day’s transmission data.
The messaging instills a near-wartime sense of common purpose. Polls show majority approval for the government’s efforts, with confidence high, panic low and scant hoarding.”
Essentially, intense and widespread participation is a leading factor in South Korea's success.
Max Fisher and Choe Sang-Hun, the writers of this article, explain it's unlikely US officials would've been able to enlist this approach as polarization and distrust are prominent. Additionally, in South Korea, "political will" to impose early measures as well as "public will" to trust in the government meant to protect them were equally high.
Could any of this work now? No. Probably not.
Even if it were possible to mobilize the government and the American people in unity, it's too late. Still, it seems the president is trying some sort of half-in, half-out approach to this South Korean method. Urging people to continue going out to support the economy but backtracking on social distancing and public health.
Where this heads from here, only time will tell. But reputable sources, such as doctors, experts, and numerous health officials, say this is only the beginning.
How to help out during the coronavirus
At the end of the day, people are getting sick, and people are dying. Everyone needs to participate if we’re going to stop this virus. Follow this link to do your part and support organizations during the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Why did I write this? What does this have to do with a travel blog?
This is affecting every person and every industry on the planet. I felt inspired to investigate the truth about this pandemic for myself, how we’ve handled it in the US, and what we could be doing better. Staying informed is the first step in fighting the spread of COVID-19.
Have any thoughts on this blog post? If so, let me know in the comments. I love feedback, so don’t hesitate to reach out!
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Thanks for reading, and keep an eye out for future blog posts - Cullan
