It has been two months since the world scrambled to go into the “Great Lockdown” to slow the spread of COVID-19. Now, many countries are considering their exit strategies. Some have already eased up.
The impulse to exit the lockdown is largely economic as there is a lot science hasn’t discovered about the novel coronavirus, and there is no known cure or vaccine. Infections and death are still on the rise in many countries.
It goes without saying that the lockdowns have caused havoc with people’s livelihoods with entire economies are in meltdown.
Just as each nation chose a different route into lockdown, each is likely to choose its own exit path, this articles identifies countries who has made a difference in the fight against COVID-19
What made the difference?
The countries that more efficiently managed this first outbreak and its consequences capitalized on their public health preparation to get a grip on the infection quickly.
GERMANY
Germany recorded a high volume of infections but low mortality. This was achieved through its extensive testing. At a testing rate of 21 people per 1,000, as compared with 9.8 per 1,000 in the U.S, Germany has been able to flatten the curve of the coronavirus.
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand’s government proved willing to rapidly flatten the curve of the novel coronavirus through the imposition of severe restrictions on movement and importantly, the public was largely supportive and ready to comply.
SOUTH KOREA
South Korea, while among the earliest countries affected, kept its mortality among the lowest in the world through extensive testing and innovating and deploying and technology for widespread contact tracing:
Infected individuals’ interactions were retraced using cellphone location data, surveillance camera footage and credit card records. Websites and apps offer details on infected people’s travel and exposure risks.
These approaches may prove to be the way to go, if replicated, the world could flatten the curve of the coronavirus and prevent The International Monetary Fund prediction of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.
