San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
WOULD THE U.S. ECONOMY HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF IF IT FOLLOWED SIMILAR STEPS TO SOUTH KOREA?
ECONOMISTS YES
The U.S. and other countries could certainly have done things differently and better knowing what is now known. Lessons taken from Korea, including fast-tracking approval of testing kits, sending text alerts to citizens when infections occurred in their area, and isolating confirmed patients at hospitals with free treatment by the government (would have been far less expensive than mandated shutdown). However, unfettered access to private mobile phone data would not have gone well in America.
YES
The South Korean result is uncontestable: exceptionally few deaths, and an economy that is performing as if nothing ever changed. To anyone reading this that still thinks that it is COVID vs. the economy, South Korea proves otherwise. Although the U.S. population is six times larger and regionally diversified, we had the tools in our policy toolbox to tamp down the crisis, and our president frittered it away. The result is a recession, and a disease that will be with us for several years.
NO
South Korea took an unprecedented invasion of privacy approach to monitor its citizens. They tracked cell phone data in near real time and publicly reported COVID patients’ personal information including age, employment, home addresses, as well as places they frequented and gathered. If we tried this approach in the U.S. it would not only breech every aspect of privacy we have left in this country, but it would also be unconstitutional. This is a clear case of the cure being worse than the disease.
YES
More frequent testing, combined with tracing and quarantining, would have prevented many of the broader economic shutdowns, as well as COVID-19 deaths, that the U.S. has suffered. A clear public message that we are dealing with a virus that is spread through the air should have included a vigorous appeal for mask wearing. Americans value their freedom but also are patriotic and may be willing to sacrifice some of that freedom for the public good.
EXECUTIVES NO
It’s no use to Monday morning quarterback now. What may work for one country’s economy may not work for ours, especially when it comes to privacy. What we can do is continue to move forward and gain insight from other countries’ successes and failures. We can then take lessons learned to help us navigate our economy through this unprecedented time.
YES
South Korea is an example of how the pandemic can be effectively quelled. While a few of their measures cross lines of privacy (cell tracking) and freedom (forced quarantine in dorms) for us, their primary approach was to maintain clear and frequent communications with the public, grant widespread, free testing, track exposures centrally, and procured ample protective equipment. Meanwhile, our government politicized the response, thrust responsibility to local jurisdictions, and fought experts into changing recommendations.
YES
The U.S. played politics way too long. We have divisiveness that caused more damage than the pandemic itself. Our economy fell apart when a team effort would have defeated the virus by giving up a little privacy, fast-tracking testing kits, insisting on mask-wearing, isolating sick patients, and setting up contact tracing. We blew it. South Korea seized the moment by remembering what happened with MERS and being prepared. We destroyed our economy.
YES
Unfortunately, South Korea’s strategy would not have worked in the U.S. given our extremely polarized society and faith in social media instead of in science and medicine. Mask wearing is a good example. South Koreans wore masks when asked to do so. Too many in the U.S. made it a civil rights issue instead of a public health issue. We failed to stop the spread when it might have been possible. We risk doing that again and again.