In this extended crisis that humanity has been going through for more than a year, many of the decisions, discussions, news and activities of humans and their leaders were completely dominatedb by this new virus. The administrative authorities in countries around the world are judged on how they kept a balance between the fight against the virus and how alive the economy was maintained (even if on a metaforical ventilator).
It seems to me that the majority of the population is probably more interested in prioritising public health, but there would also be those who think one can tolerate a certain controllable level of risk to health with the aim of only minimally affecting the economy.
From my side, I’d say it’s futile having a million dollars in your pocket if you’re dead.
Many citizens around the world have been over the last months giving a higher attention than usual to political leaders and health authorities, with statistics that might be given, detailed and daily, about how many people are infected, how many tragically succumb, what restrictions are taken and when they may be withdrawn, and how and when we might get out of this purgatory. The main question: when will COVID-19 become just one of the many diseases that have practically disappeared around the world due to the vast majority of the global population be vaccinated.
Some have indulged in speculation without any basis, for example that this virus is nothing except a big conspiracy. One of the most ridiculous theories I’ve heard was that world governments are working together with the excuse of COVID so that we all lose our freedoms. Would you have ever guessed that the governments of the United States, China and Russia have actually been working hand in hand?
I do listen to everybody, but have no time for frivolities.
In the last few months, it was with growing concern hearing the news about the situation in Malta. Initially, it seems that this was reasonable, but over the last months I couldn’t understand how Malta was reporting hundreds (usually around two hundred) of new COVID cases daily (with a population of half a million) whereas Australia in the same period had many days in which not even a single case was reported in a population of 25 million.
In fact, Malta had 6057 infections per 100,000 population, in 33rd place, just behind Great Britain with 6280 which is not considered to have handled the pandemic well at all, and not that far behind the United States with 8808. The worst performer was Andorra, with 14,610 case per 100,000 population. Compare this with Australia’s 114 case per 100,000, and New Zealand with 43.
A similar situation can be found considering deaths per 100,000 population. Malta is in 47th place from 236 countries and territories with 80 deaths per 100,000, practically on the same level as Germany on 87, and half that of the United States of America on 160, the UK 2ith 184 and above all other Gibraltar with 279. Compare this with Australian with 3.5 deaths per 100,000, and New Zealand with 0.5!
Secondly, Europe is not considered to have been effective in controlling COVID, with countries such as Italy, the UK and Spain not being mentioned positively in this space. It is true that when comparing yourself to the worst, you’ll find you’re better, but if you want to be credible when talking about heaven, you need to compare yourself to the best, not the worst.
I have family members who have been practically stuck at home in Malta and Gozo due to the fear of a relatively high number of people that are to this day being found infected, and when you’re elderly you could imagine their anxiety these days. They also are amazed to compare their own news and how live is evolving for them with ours here in Australia when we talk from one side of the globe to the other.
It seems to me that the balance between the economy and public health has been more tilted towards the former in Malta than it was in Australia. I accept that every decision is difficult, but it remains up to each government to defend the decisions taken and when, and to face families of those struck by tragedy.
1https://covid19.who.int/table, retrieved 17/3/2021
2https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/look-at-the-rest-of-europe-were-in-heaven-here-robert-abela.848577, retrieved 17/3/2021
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