Pandemic notes 7; It Doesn’t Need to be this Hard, Folks!

It has been awhile since I added to my published “covid notes.” There are still aspects to this fiasco I am not sure about, therefore reluctant to blog much about. But enough things have been happening that it is time to comment on them.

I am ready to refine my views about why the pandemic has been such a mess in Canada and in many other countries, and no big problem in others. I think there are two related factors at work, and I will briefly examine which matters more. One is efficient government. The other is how easy it is to live in a given country; how much things are run for the country’s people.

Where is it easier?

Of course, some countries have effective governments but a brutally exploited population. Japan is the best example, but is probably an outlier, an exception which proves the rule. Usually the most effective governments are the ones also oriented toward the needs of its people, thus less stressful countries in which to live and work.

Most of East Asia has handled the pandemic quite well. This capability seems to have rubbed off somewhat onto the Anglo transplant Aussies and Kiwis, due to their closeness to successful cases like China.

There is a western perception that in China and other Asian countries, people are worked…