Two weights, two measures
Since the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak, there is an ongoing debate on the benefit/risk ratio of the prevention and containment measures. In general, two different strategies have been adopted by countries to contain the novel coronavirus pandemic. Some countries have chosen mitigating spread measures while others adopted more aggressive control strategies.
Nonetheless, countries had to face the dramatic choice between human and economic costs regardless of measures taken. Indeed, both a lockdown and huge healthcare investments presumably reduce human costs (fewer deaths) at least in the short-term but can negatively impact population psychological well-being and economies, leading to a country’s impoverishment with long-term consequences on people’s quality of life.
It’s not unfamiliar territory when we reflect upon the last year and more of the pandemic in Malta. This previous week’s news of the effect of English language schools culminating in a sudden surge in cases may feel like déjà vu from last summer, where large groups mixing, and an influx of tourists saw Malta’s numbers spike.
We all know by now, managing the scenario is no easy feat. In terms of public health, one can argue that the best results, with regards to controlling the pandemic, were obtained in those countries where the epidemic curve had a very rapid evolution toward its peak and rapid descent, with greater pandemic containment and subsequently a faster economic recovery. For example, in Italy, a study comparing five regions in terms of the different regional health system responses to Covid-19 showed that the Veneto Region, one of Italy’s early coronavirus hotspots, achieved good results from the pointof-view of epidemic containment. It implemented earlier and large-scale testing and tracing policies with fewer infections and deaths.
By now, we should know what is required to break the circuit. It seems Chris Fearne hit that trigger button with the imminent closure of the schools and clamping down on non-vaccinated travel, and rapidly so. However, one could argue if that is enough. We also need to be focusing on what’s next. It’s clear Covid isn’t going anywhere fast. We need to be looking closer internally and learning how to live with the beast. Yet this is rarely mentioned as we amble from one day to another.
We need to reflect upon areas in need of investment. These include reskilling initiatives, notably green and digital skills; help for the vulnerable to re-integrate the job market, especially young people, women, the lowskilled and some self-employed; adequate social protection to provide support for workers that most need it and initiatives to bolster the creation of quality new jobs. Government has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tackle the stark challenges of inequality and exclusion exacerbated by the crisis and rethink and rebuild labour markets so that they are more resilient, more inclusive and more productive.