How the media analyzes statistics coming out of data bases in countries has in itself created confusion as to what they signify in terms of effectiveness in dealing with the pandemic. Right now, the coverage of course is concentrated on the rollout of vaccinations among countries, particularly those in the industrialized groupings. This is understandable given that countries are largely depending on vaccines to help them get through the pandemic economically and politically. The problem is that when all is said and done, a broader assessment of the efficacy of each countries’ approach to tackling COVID-19 will be needed. In some instances, a country will have better dealt with controlling the initial outbreaks more successfully than others. Take for example, the U.S. and Britain. With over a half-a-million COVID-related deaths, the U.S. ranks seventh in deaths worldwide per one million population as of March 2, 2021 (as per Statista.com). With over 123,000 deaths, the U.K. ranks fourth in deaths worldwide per one million population. The U.S. has had close to 29 million confirmed cases and the U.K. over 4 million cases to date — incredibly high numbers. However, one has to recognize that big differences show up between countries when combining the number of deaths against confirmed COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 test rates can vary per country. Eventually, epidemiologists and statisticians will have to investigate such anomalies.
Nevertheless, despite the obvious fortunate distribution of vaccines in the U.S. and U.K providing hope for an eventual end to the pandemic, the costs associated with recorded deaths has been far too high each country. In particular, the coronavirus has disproportionately affected visible minorities, especially people of colour, and those in lower income neighbourhoods despite their numbers being less than half of the total population. What has made matters worst is the fact that the large number of past and present cases led to the growth in COVID variances in both countries. As we know, these variances are more easily and quickly spread from person-to-person. This led to more cases of COVID-19 which in turn has put more strain on health care resources, leading to more hospitalizations, and to potentially more deaths. Rapidly emerging variants became the biggest problem in the U.K. and states like California, something which perhaps could have been avoided had more stringent measures been put in place at the pandemic’s outset.
In Canada, lockdowns and other restrictions were implemented back in the early spring and resulted in the number of COVID-related cases and deaths levelling off during the summer. Canada, although with a smaller population than the U.S. and U.K., ranked fiftieth in terms of deaths worldwide per one million population as of March 2, 2021. Of the 22,000 recorded deaths, the majority unfortunately were disproportionately among seniors in long-term residences in two of the most populated provinces, Ontario and Quebec. This unfortunate situation is why both provinces have targeted vulnerable seniors in both provinces as the country’s initial vaccinations begin to roll out. However, with around 900,000 cases, analysts may conclude that Canada’s overall approach to the pandemic has been successful in limiting the number of related deaths and hospitalizations.
Taking all the data into account down the road, I am certain that some countries’ approach to tackling the pandemic will have proven to be more effective than others. In the meantime, many of the restrictions imposed by health authorities will have to be maintained in the coming months to avoid the emergence of a third and possibly more deadly wave of the virus. This is despite the current rate of vaccination in all countries with which the media appears to be currently infatuated. Given the evident concerns about the impact on economic growth in all countries, this proposition will not be an easy one politically to accept, especially now that more pandemic fatigue has set in.
FROLITICKS 