COVID-19 infection numbers have risen tremendously across several Southeast Asian countries over the recent weeks. The sudden surge in cases is mounting worries that the region could become a potential pandemic hot spot.
Associate Professor Jeremy Lim, Director of Global Health, attributed the varying transmission rates across countries to four ‘B’s — Biology, Behaviour, Bureaucracy and Bytes.
“It’s the same virus around the world, so the biology is more or less the same,” said Assoc Prof Lim.
“On behaviour, safe distancing and masks are very pertinent. If nothing else, the pandemic has taught us biology is the easy part, behaviour is much harder to manage.”
The third ‘B’, Bureaucracy, is vastly different around the world, said Assoc Prof Lim. “This has nothing to do with authoritarian or democratic governments, for every case in point there is a counter-factual.”
However, the qualities of a competent bureaucracy lie in the capacity to test extensively, provide adequate healthcare and the ability to mobilise a whole-of-government response.
Lastly, Bytes refer to a country’s ability to use technology — in laboratories and hospitals, and use of contact tracing apps — to stem the spread of the virus and save lives.
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