The World Health Organization (WHO) recently warned that the U.S could be the new epicenter of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic. The American death toll has surpassed 1,384 as of March 27, with 93,329 reported cases and 2,424 recoveries. WHO’s spokeswoman Margaret Harris said there had been a large acceleration of Covid-19 infections in the U.S.

“We are now seeing a very large acceleration in cases in the U.S. So, it does have that potential,” Harris said.

The Global Impact of Coronavirus

The virus, which started in a wet market in Wuhan, China, has infected more than 572,000 worldwide and killed 26,348, with 129,949 recoveries. The symptoms sometimes overlap with those of the flu and other respiratory illnesses such as the cough, fever, and shortness of breath.

Several states in the U.S have slapped a lockdown to contain the outbreak, including New York and California. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered the closure of non-essential businesses and banned all gatherings and events.

Previously, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a total lockdown and told the state’s 40 million people to stay at home. Drugstores, banks, laundries, and gas stations are still open, while restaurants can only provide take-out services.

Italy and Spain’s Rising Coronavirus Death Tolls

The Covid-19 death tolls in Italy and Spain have reached an alarming level. Italy and Spain’s coronavirus fatalities are now higher than China, despite the decrease in the number of deaths in the past two days.

Meanwhile, the US reports it now has more than 93,300 Covid-19 cases as Italy’s death toll surges past 9,100.

The alarming Covid-19 fatality rate in Italy is linked to several factors: the limited number of Covid-19 tests (as the tests only focused on people with acute symptoms while many people get infected without showing any signs at all), its aging population (23 percent of the Italian population are 65 or older), and loose social distancing measures despite the tough lockdown measures.

A video showing Italian mayors ranting at residents for ignoring social distancing rules recently went viral on social media. A Chinese doctor deployed in northern Italy complained about how Italians tended to underestimate the outbreak. Both Italy and Spain have been under lockdown for almost a month, however, the quarantine may be extended due to the increase in the number of Covid-19 deaths.

Indonesia’s Coronavirus Cases Surpass 1,000

As of March 27, Indonesia has recorded 1,046 positive cases of Covid-19 and 87 deaths, whilst 46 patients have recovered from it. The number of Covid-19 cases doubled in three days, jumping from 172 on March 17 to 369 on March 20.

A study from a London-based Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases released on Monday March 23 estimated that only 2 percent of Covid-19 infections in Indonesia have been reported. The research predicted that the actual figure of Covid-19 cases in Indonesia is around 34,300: even higher than that in Iran, as ABC quoted.

The Indonesian Government tried to calm down in responding to experts’ forecasts that Indonesia could be like either Wuhan or Italy if its Covid-19 cases are not contained swiftly.

“We won’t be like that,” said Indonesia’s government spokesperson for Covid-19 mitigation, Dr. Achmad Yurianto, referring to the comparison to the outbreaks in Italy and China.

Indonesia has not imposed a nationwide lockdown like Italy and Spain. However, Jakarta has called on local residents to obey stay-at-home and social distancing rules. The emergency status for Covid-19 has also been extended until May 29, with offices, malls to remain closed until early April.

L'articolo These Countries’ Covid-19 Death Rates Are Alarming proviene da InsideOver.

Many Brits recently displayed their anger over social media at those who flocked to social venues over the weekend to enjoy themselves as the UK endures the coronavirus pandemic. Relatedly, the Director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Francis Collins, wrote a piece for Government Executive arguing that the only way to stop the spread of this virus is through social distancing because for every confirmed case of Covid-19, there are likely to be another five to 10 people with undetected infections. That makes what many Brits did last weekend all the more embarrassing and explains the more drastic response from Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

UK PM Boris Johnson Announces Lockdown

On Monday night, March 23, Johnson addressed the nation and stated that people may only leave home to exercise once a day, to travel to and from work where “absolutely necessary,” and to shop for essential items and medical supplies. If people do not follow these rules, the police have the power to issue fines.

With the UK’s death toll currently at 335 and people socializing in a flamboyant way last weekend, some form of a lockdown was inevitable, but Johnson’s decision was not made lightly. Whilst he has maintained that self-isolation and social distancing are the most effective strategies to defeat this virus, when numerous individuals are purposefully putting lives at risk, there has to be consequences. Everyone is entitled to individual liberty as long as they are not abusing it at other people’s expense.

The Incredible Difficulty of Enforcing a Lockdown in the UK

The Prime Minister has consistently followed the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of England, Professor Chris Whitty, and the Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance since the coronavirus started to cripple the globe. Days ago, the Daily Mail reported on a graph that the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies produced which shows that social distancing can reduce the potential death rate by up to 25 percent.

However, a lockdown will be incredibly difficult to enforce. As Sky News‘ Mark White argues, the vast majority of people will obey those restrictions, but it will be hard to establish whether they are complying with orders to leave their homes occasionally. It will also be problematic for them to police supermarket queues when they are having to enforce the Government’s other measures at this time. It will only become clear over time how the Government intends to enforce its rules as the National Police Chiefs’ Council continues to cooperate with politicians.

The one US state that seems to have introduced the most measured response to Covid-19 is California. California’s Governor Gavin Newsom announced the state’s “stay at home” order last week. It has forced the closure of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, entertainment venues, public events, gyms, and convention centers.

The Greater Tragedy Lies in the Fact That So Many Britons Defied the Prime Minister

Meanwhile, petrol stations, pharmacies, grocery stores and banks, as well as law enforcement and offices that provide government programs and services, will remain open. But Newsom has not deployed the police to enforce his rules like Johnson has, and maintains that social pressure will force many people to stay at home. He has expressed his faith in basic common sense. It is a pity that Boris did not follow the California Governor’s lead and has insisted on punishing the majority for the actions of a minority.

The number of British coronavirus cases is spreading rapidly and the Prime Minister had to enforce his social isolation measures, but the Californian model is the best way forward as the state has closed all the venues where the disease is likely to spread, and Newsom has enforced a “stay at home” order without the need for police officers. It will be interesting to see if Boris’s measures stem the number of Covid-19 cases, but it is a pity that the police have been brought in to do so, and the greater tragedy lies in the fact that so many people defied the Prime Minister last weekend in the first place.

L'articolo Is Johnson’s Lockdown the Right Way to Combat Covid-19? proviene da InsideOver.

Fox News recently referred to them as “the strictest coronavirus measures in the USA,” but it is fair to argue that California has adopted the right approach to this epidemic and many other states and America’s closest allies should follow California’s example.

‘They Will Adjust and Adapt’

California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom announced the state’s “stay at home order” last week, and it applies to all of the state’s 40 million inhabitants. Instead of using the might of the government to force the whole state into a lockdown, which countries such as France and Spain have done, Newsom has rightly recognized that a social contract already exists during these testing times. He said “they will adjust and adapt as they have.” Like libertarian journalist Douglas Murray said: when you allow people to behave responsibly, they act responsibly.

The order took effect at midnight on Friday and it has forced the closure of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, entertainment venues, public events, gyms, and convention centers. Countries like France have already done this, and the British Government is starting to do the same thing, but the difference is that French President Emmanuel Macron has done it in an arbitrary way. Neither British Prime Minister Boris Johnson nor Newsom have.

Of course, there will always be a minority who still insist on preventing themselves from being isolated in these circumstances, but lockdowns are both impractical and illogical. As Politico reports, last Sunday French people were still attending food markets and spent time in Parisian parks, ignoring the French Government’s guidelines. The reality is that human nature is inherently selfish, but government actions cannot restrict that sort of behavior entirely through lockdowns.

Social Distancing is Still the Best Way to Stop the Spread of Covid-19

Social distancing has always been the best way to stop the spread of Covid-19. Although it is not clear if Californian businesses that have been shut down will receive financial compensation, people are more likely to catch the virus if they attend unnecessary social gatherings at pubs and restaurants. That is why Newsom has made the right decision by ordering that these venues close.

Newsom has also recognized that some businesses have to stay open and that it would be irresponsible to let the following services shut down entirely at a time when people need their goods. These include: petrol stations, pharmacies, grocery stores and banks, as well as law enforcement and offices that provide government programs and services.

Critical infrastructure sectors like defense and nuclear reactors will also remain open.

Newsom acknowledged that the shutdown of these sectors would have a “debilitating effect on security, economic security, public health or safety.” This shows that he has adopted a balanced approach to stopping the spread of Covid-19.

Newsom Has Shown He Believes in Common Sense

The Californian Governor’s order encourages people to stay at home and to only venture outside when necessary. Instead of deploying police officers to force them to do this, he has acknowledged that social pressure will ensure that this becomes a reality. Newsom has expressed his faith in basic common sense, and that is needed now more than ever.

The Californian Government has a duty to keep its people safe. According to statistics compiled by John Hopkins University, as of Friday morning California has 1,030 confirmed coronavirus cases and 18 deaths. A letter Newsom wrote to Trump on Wednesday reveals that the governor has anticipated that the virus will infect more than half of California’s population within two months. He also said that the state has been disproportionately impacted.

Based on his response so far, Newsom has shown tremendous leadership in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. He has struck the right balance between individual freedom and state enforcement. His actions deserve more credit than they are currently receiving.

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