Why COVID is so much worse in America compared to Europe and Asia
As the coronavirus death toll surpasses 50,000 in the United States, it has become apparent that the pandemic has affected different nations to extraordinarily different levels. Compare the US to Vietnam, a nation of 95 million, which has not had a single death from COVID-19. There are two reasons for this: federal administration for each nation, and the national systems in place in that nation.
Administratively, the differences are much more visible. Vietnam quarantined its population much earlier than other countries, although they are now opening up the country again due to their success in handling the pandemic. Furthermore, Vietnam’s administration has been fining individuals who are seen spreading misinformation about coronavirus on social media. These administrative strategies obviously differ greatly from the administration in the US, where recently the president endorsed injecting people with Lysol as a cure for the virus.
Variance in administrative aptitude is easy to spot, however, the flaws within the systems that govern many of our lives can be difficult to see since they have been around for our entire lives. Two of the most important systems, economic systems and social systems, show great differences between nations, which is why some nations are handling the crisis effectively while other countries are struggling much more.
Economic Impact of COVID
In the United States, where the top 0.1% of its population owns more wealth than the bottom 80%, it is not surprising that only 20% of the first $2 trillion stimulus package was actually given to the American people. A measly $1200 check after a month of quarantine when many people could not work is what the administration could agree on. Multiply $1200 by the entire population of the United States (330 million) and you get $0.396 trillion. Not everybody is quite sure where the other $1.604 trillion of the CARES act went, but it certainly did not seem to care for most Americans.
On the other hand, the government of the United Kingdom is paying their unemployed folk 80% of whatever their wages were before COVID hit. Additionally, many companies are paying ex-employees the remaining 20% themselves. In other words, most British people need not worry about paying rent or putting food on the table during these wild times.
The conservative agenda to maintain income inequality in the US has left countless Americans without work, without money, and without any sign of when they can take care of themselves and their families again. We must remember that our country does not need to function this way. As the next presidential election comes up, keep in mind that change is possible, and the fear and inequality many of us face daily is not the only option.
Impact of COVID on Healthcare
Due to longstanding conservative ideas such as keeping health insurance privatized and based largely on employment, what are the 26 million Americans who lost their jobs in the past 5 weeks going to do about their health insurance…especially when there is a global health pandemic occurring? In the US, Americans need to pay for health insurance in the case of unexpected medical events that require professional treatment. Additionally, conservatives have made it so that health insurance in America is strongly tied to one’s employer. However, when an unexpected medical event called coronavirus caused Americans to lose their employment, those who had employment-funded insurance swiftly lost their insurance.
In other words, Americans have the lost the very thing that was supposed to protect them from an unexpected medical event BECAUSE of an unexpected medical event.
Sadly, many Americans take this for granted, but this is not at all how it has to be. Looking at much of Europe, health care is completely socialized. The British have the National Health Service, which covers almost all medical expenses for every citizen. In Sweden, their healthcare system is managed by 21 councils based on region of residence. In fact, the Swedish people elect their healthcare council administrators. Imagine a democracy where you elect the people who manage your healthcare! The Swedish system also covers all health expenses, including dental care. Germany has one of the most critically acclaimed healthcare systems in the world, which is almost entirely federally funded but Germans can elect to pay for private insurance if they choose.
In short, most Europeans never have to fear going broke due to healthcare costs. Consequently, most Americans are constantly afraid of whether or not they will be able to pay for essentials like healthcare.
The coronavirus has been an unfortunate test of large-scale systems around the globe, but I hope it brings to light the many flaws of the American systems that so many Americans either take for granted or are completely unaware of.
See more posts from Max Parrella here.
Also take a look at Max Parrella’s new book, Collective Societal Wisdom: The Centerpiece to the Longevity of Civilization
