The crisis response of the US shows that evidence-based leadership that respects data, scientists and experts, funds science and and coordinates its crisis response can dramatically turn around the fate of a country. India needs a course correction too
There were many mask wearers as people packed Universal City Walk, in Universal City, CA, Tuesday, June 15, 2021, as the state of California celebrates the end of pandemic-era restrictions, including mask wearing in most situations.
Image: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
On January 12, 2021, the US faced an apocalyptic situation—on an average, over 3,000 people were dying daily due to Covid-19. Four months later, the situation is dramatically different—deaths have come down significantly (approximately 350 per day), and over 44 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated. In May, the CDC updated its guidance that fully vaccinated individuals may carry out most indoor and outdoor activities without wearing masks, a major step towards the goal of returning to the pre-pandemic era. What explains the country’s dramatic turnaround, and what can India learn from it?
Respect the data
[This article has been published with permission from IIM Bangalore. www.iimb.ac.in Views expressed are personal.]