Covid will dictate the future

[Devil's Advocate]

Comparing states by stats alone ignores the lack of standardized independent monitoring and the porosity of domestic borders. It's the same problem with quantifying the effects of domestic gun control. That being said a more credible and productive response is not nearly as confusing and complicated as some make it out to be. Countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, & Thailand wasted less time debating unsubstantiated claims of media hoaxes and global conspiracies while declaring premature victory. Instead they focused on moving quickly and implementing a solution applicable to their situation. Despite some setbacks the difference seems to have paid off handsomely. Not just in the form of reduced death toll but with a faster return to more normal domestic living as well. The US has an economy large enough to weather the storm through domestic spending alone. Unfortunately many Americans seem to hate the idea of accepting personal sacrifice on behalf of the greater good and I'm not sure how to fix that.

 

[Exvalley]

And keep in mind that there is not uniformity within a single party.
Here is a prime example:
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/18/cuo...shelter-in-place-order-for-new-york-city.html

 

[Jean]

Re the idea about obesity - I have seen Vietnam mentioned as an example of this. Apparently it has the world’s lowest obesity rate along with a very low Covid death rate. May well apply to India also.
I also wonder about testing rates in some countries. Low testing rates may well make for low rates of the incidence of Covid, yet plenty more could have it. I have also read recently that the true incidence of the virus in India may be much higher than official figures and therefore herd immunity is a real possibility.
Simple logic seemed to indicate that the virus would spread more easily where people live close together, eg, big European and US cities etc. Yet this very situation also exists in India, Vietnam and other non-western countries where the percentage of deaths is much smaller.
Another issue is that necessary restrictions like lockdowns may be more vigorously enforced in some countries. I have some personal knowledge of one small country with a very low death toll. Lockdowns are enforced with armed military in the streets.
I concur with DA that quick action has helped in some places, both in the early days and currently. In Australia and New Zealand even one or two cases may result in immediate lockdowns. This seems to work every time, even if the lockdown only lasts 3-5 days. Plus the virus has never been a political issue.
Clearly, so much more to learn.

 

[jis]

Another issue is that necessary restrictions like lockdowns may be more vigorously enforced in some countries. I have some personal knowledge of one small country with a very low death toll. Lockdowns are enforced with armed military in the streets.

I am aware of a very large and populous country too

 

[caravanman]

My remarks about "populist politicians" were not meant to divide between red and blue states.
Surely any leader who says " take off your masks, open all the businesses" while Covid is still a problem, is courting popular votes, and not heeding the science?

 

[west point]

IMO travel outside the USA will be limited by various travel restrictions by every country. Until the whole world is vaccinated travel restrictions will come and go irregularly. Each country will have hot spots that come and go. We certainly will not travel to any where outside USA until probably 2023. If any variant become able to outwit present vaccines that is a whole another ball game.

 

[jis]

IMO travel outside the USA will be limited by various travel restrictions by every country. Until the whole world is vaccinated travel restrictions will come and go irregularly. Each country will have hot spots that come and go. We certainly will not travel to any where outside USA until probably 2023. If any variant become able to outwit present vaccines that is a whole another ball game.

Depends on the country involved. US has specific so called "pod" agreements with many countries with clearly specified protocol for travel between the countries. For example with the "pod" agreement that is in place with India it currently support 5 non stop flights between the two countries every day. With testing done according to the specified protocol, you can get away with a quarantine that is as short as 3 or 4 days. It is possible to get visitor visas with adequate reason to travel, but people who do not need a visa, like citizens, permanent residents or OICs in case of US citizens of Indian origin, you can pretty much buy a ticket, get tested and travel, no questions asked. Interstingly, the "pod" agreement applies only to non-stop flights. Any stop or flight change on the way falls outside the agreement and adds an order of magnitude more complexity. That is why traveling by ME3 or E3 to India is more or less completely out for now.

BTW, NY State just announced that starting April 1 all quarantine requirements are being withdrawn for domestic travel to NY State and City. So I guess I can do my trip to Moynihan Train Hall and a few days stay in NY in late April afterall. Something that I had considered and rejected earlier due to the quarantine hassles.

 

[Exvalley]

BTW, NY State just announced that starting April 1 all quarantine requirements are being withdrawn for domestic travel to NY State and City. So I guess I can do my trip to Moynihan Train Hall and a few days stay in NY in late April afterall. Something that I had considered and rejected earlier due to the quarantine hassles.

Wow! That is huge. There is a decent chance that Connecticut and New Jersey will follow along.

Maybe Cuomo is trying to get people to forget about other "issues."