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9. Gold, E. Richard, et al. “The Antidote to Vaccine Nationalism.” Centre for International Governance Innovation, 1 June 2020, www.cigionline.org/articles/ antidote-vaccine-nationalism.
Spring 2021
10. Suzmann, Mark. “Why We Focus on Vaccine Equity.” Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 26 Feb. 2021, ww2.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/articles/coronavirusvaccine-equitable-access.
The Effectiveness of Each Country Handling COVID-19 By Jonah Shapiro
The differences between countries have been nothing less than drastic when looking at how they have handled COVID-19; from keeping everything open to regular lockdowns or contact tracing and closing towns, there is no perfect way to combat COVID-19. While strategies among countries vary, countries such as New Zealand and Australia have by far been the most effective and successful due to their detailed government plans, and overall cooperation of their citizens. One major difference between the United States and other countries is that regulations for each individual state are made by the state government, instead of the federal government.1 States and territories with no mask mandate include Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Indiana while California, Colorado, Kentucky and Louisiana require face masks. The overwhelming majority of states with masks mandated have had fewer known cases and a lower positivity rate, proving that masks are effective. While the state governments control mask mandates, the capacity of stores and vaccine rollout, the federal government takes action on travel restrictions, and securing the vaccine for each state. Since President Joe Biden has entered office, many of these federal policies have dramatically changed.2 While cases did start receding January 20, in the month of April,
there has been a surge in COVID-19 cases as vaccines are being distributed and businesses are starting to get back up to full capacity. This method of state government determining how to handle COVID-19 has proven to be too political, often causing decisions on mask mandates and the capacity of stores and stadiums to be more political than being based on science and statistics. While the U.S. has had a moderately effective patchwork response, Brazil has fared quite poorly due to the lack of a plan along with incompetent leadership.3 In Brazil, as of April 18 there have been nearly 14 million COVID-19 cases as well as 371,000 deaths.4 Nearly all tourist attractions have reopened in the country along with stores being at nearly full capacity now that restrictions have been eased since late November. To get into the country, one must take several COVID-19 tests, but once into the country one may do as they please. While having a failing plan with minimal action taken, the Brazilian government did postpone the world famous Carnival festival, in order to stop the spread of the virus.5 Another reason for lack of action taken is due to President Jair Bolsonaro. He takes no urgency when it comes to the virus, and overall just does not care for it as a whole.6 He even went on to say, “All of us are going to die one day,” and, “There is no point running
