Civic responsibility and concerted action required to save lives and livelihoods – Marco Vicenzino

By Marco Vicenzino
Published 21st May 2020, 07:30 BST
Updated 17th Jun 2020, 10:14 BST
Comment
Marco Vicenzino (msv@globalsp.org) is a geopolitical expert and international business advisor to senior executives. He is also a Euromoney Country Risk Expert and member of the International ­Advisory Council of the Asia ­Scotland InstituteMarco Vicenzino (msv@globalsp.org) is a geopolitical expert and international business advisor to senior executives. He is also a Euromoney Country Risk Expert and member of the International ­Advisory Council of the Asia ­Scotland Institute
Marco Vicenzino ([email protected]) is a geopolitical expert and international business advisor to senior executives. He is also a Euromoney Country Risk Expert and member of the International ­Advisory Council of the Asia ­Scotland Institute
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As many western countries gradually emerge from nearly two months of Covid-19 quarantines, many citizens will struggle to transition from lockdown limbo to the “new” normal and its accompanying realities. Political necessity, public pressure and economic survival demand the start of a basic re-opening process.

However, the brutal reality is that without a vaccine or effective treatments, the coronavirus remains a deadly threat. In particular, for vulnerable segments of society including the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions. The objective must be to save lives and livelihoods, which are not mutually exclusive but will require civic responsibility and concerted action.

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Many western countries are entering unchartered territory as they exit lockdown. On the one hand, activities such as mass testing and social distancing will be common norms for the foreseeable future – primarily aimed at preventing second waves of infections. However, uniform standards often cannot apply to all countries or even within countries, particularly as Covid’s impact varies according to locations. The bottom line is that one size does not fit all. Each state must pursue flexible and pragmatic policies that produce results – whether at the national, regional or local levels – and within the constitutional framework of each given democratic society.

Some Asian societies are clearly better prepared and equipped in confronting Covid due to precedence and experience with other viral outbreaks over the last 20 years, particularly with SARS. South Korea and Taiwan clearly stand out as solid examples. Through practical measures and civic responsibility, they demonstrate how a society can continue functioning while confronting a pandemic.

With only six deaths and 429 Covid infections, Taiwan has provided some of the most valuable pandemic lessons Regarded as a renegade province by the mainland’s ruling Chinese Communist Party (CPP), Taiwanese officials are keenly aware of the CCP’s playbook and expertise for repression and cover-up. Taiwan understood early on that a deadly viral outbreak was occurring in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where Covid virus originated. By early January, Taiwan began screening travelers from mainland China and taking necessary measures to combat the outbreak.

Furthermore, Taiwan’s early warnings to the World Health Organisation (WHO) about the outbreak went unheeded. As WHO’s leadership tows the Chinese Communist line on no recognition of Taiwan, it must bear its fair share of responsibility for the consequences of ignoring Taiwan’s pleas. It initially politicised the fight against Covid which inevitably led to the loss of precious time and most certainly lives.