How will 2020 be remembered? Now that we are well past June, the middle of the year, it seems like a valid question to ask. Of course, in these COVID-19 times, even a day seems too long to fathom.
COVID-19 accentuate many things. The way different societies around the globe handled, and continue to handle their public health response is a case in point.
The root causes of the current "second" wave in many places are complex and it is upsetting to see people trying to generalise it to "failure of the government". Indeed, the government is the punch bag for many. What is quite clear is, if the marginalised members of our societies are looked after, then many of these second waves could probably be avoided. I must stress my view that NZ so far escaped a "second wave" is probably more down to luck than robustness of their systems. The fact that we have a second waves in places range from HK to Melbourne indeed could represent a scathing reflection of how we as a society, failed to look after those who are least able to fend for themselves in crisis. The government clearly had a role to play, but in places where we the public, elect our government, the blame is on us. This is perhaps the biggest argument for the Nordic model of government.
