From what I’ve gathered, Italy has an older population, more people in the high risk age group = more deaths. A lot of the original cases in India involved Italian tourists, so they’re a bit behind at the moment which explains the lower numbers. Not sure if this is a busy or slow time in India for tourism which is something else that would affect things. The other thing is, a lot of these countries can take extreme measures early on without worrying about backlash. Take a look at Taiwan, they’re doing great and considering their ties with China that seems impossible until you take into account that they can openly track citizens location via their cell phone. India can also heavily restrict movement without worrying about loosing an election. Last thing, and this isn’t to be rude, but the culture in the states is very individualistic. The numbers are high, because in an individualistic culture people are less likely to sacrifice for the group. The common themes of all these measures to slow the spread are about working together and sacrificing to help others. Cancelling your spring break beach trip, closing your business, and otherwise inconveniencing yourself for others isn’t characteristic of individualistic cultures. Every culture has pros and cons, this is a time when collectivist cultures shine a little brighter.
i'm not sure how India will fair. last I heard on the BBC, the upper/middle class is prepared well enough but that the government was locking down crowded slums, and confining residents to the small homes they typically share with large groups of people. Hopefully it does not hit them as bad as it has elsewhere, but I think like you said that hey are just behind. What do you all see as an end solution to the current state we are in? Without an adequate treatment or vaccine, I'm not sure how we are supposed to end social distancing and economic shutdown caused by it. From what I've picked up it doesn't sound like a treatment or vaccine will be available soon.
My understanding was it could go bad fast in India mainly among poorer communities like you mention. I’m optimistic with the news I hear out of Canada. We’ve got companies retooling to produce masks and face shields among other things. The first should be ready to make 100 000 daily in a week. I saw another story that we’re starting a trial using plasma from people who have recovered to treat people who are currently sick. I’ll try to find these articles again, I’m trying to look at the more positive stuff lately. I’m getting ready for a couple more months of this, but I’m hoping once we pass the peak all those companies making masks and hand sanitizer can start distributing to the general population so we can get out a little sooner.
So true, re: America. And American exceptionalism doesn’t help the US either. “We’ll never get it here, this is America!”.