The world of Tzu Chi June 2020 (Vol.123)

2020 • 06 14 The uncertain fate of Africa Africa is another cause for concern in the current state of affairs, as the full extent of the potential threat of the pandemic on the world’s second-largest continent eature How did the West fare in crisis control? The outcomes of varying Covid-19 responses between Asian countries and Western societies were surprising. Italy quickly surpassed other European countries in the number of infections and deaths as its national healthcare institutions struggled to cope with the crisis, earning it the status of one of Europe’s earliest Covid-19 hotspots. Amidst widespread social unrest, many Chinese communities across Europe underwent self-imposed quarantine, resulting in a low infection rate among ethnic Chinese. This demonstrates the importance of quarantine measures in disrupting the chain of infection. When the regions of Lombardy and Milan entered a dire state of crisis, the Italian government enforced a lockdown that restricted the movement of Italians. In a Facebook video, Gianfilippo Bancheri, a mayor from the small town of Delia in the Caltanissetta province, sternly reprimanded fellow compatriots who neglected social distancing guidelines despite multiple warnings. The world pondered upon the shortcomings of Western nations in containing the outbreak in the initial stage. Meanwhile, Germany became the fourth country to have exceeded the 100,000-infections mark. However, the European nation is backed by robust and comprehensive healthcare infrastructure to deal with the Covid-19 crisis. Those exhibiting mild Covid-19 symptoms were advised to quarantine themselves at home, while Covid-19 patients with severe complications were admitted to hospital for treatment. By early April, Germany even started receiving Covid-19 patients from Italy, France and Holland in a heart-warming display of generosity and solidarity. As the virus crippled the European economy and society, the US soon emerged as the world leader in Covid-19 infection and fatality rates, totalling over 1.74 million as of late May. The global superpower crumbled under the pressure of its mounting number of casualties, nearly collapsing its healthcare system despite the leading-edge technology and abundant resources at its disposal. In American culture, face masks are reserved for the ill. Hence, many Americans failed to see the need for face masks when the Covid-19 outbreak was at its infancy. Furthermore, Americans were assured by their government that Covid-19 testing was unnecessary for individuals free from Covid-19 symptoms and that most Covid-19 patients were able to recover on their own. The lack of a sense of urgency and vigilance exacerbated the crisis.