Worsening Pandemic Performance Reveals Declining Governance

Healthful Vitality | 08/06/2021 | By Governance Contributor | Worsening Pandemic Performance Reveals Declining Governance

When the pandemic hit, most countries were not in a position to address the crisis, paving the way for declining governance. As per research, 65% of the countries lacked the provisions to handle the infrastructure requirements mentioned by the International Health Regulations.[1] Through this, there was a depiction of weakness while managing the pandemic. It was evident in developed, developing, and underdeveloped countries.

Leading governments like the US showed a delay in looking into the seriousness of the issue. It had a drastic impact on how other countries took care of the situation. Apart from the health system, the socio-economic conditions are also facing a crisis due to the pandemic.

Before the pandemic, there was a decline in the poverty rates. It happened over two decades. However, with the strike of the pandemic, there has been a drastic change in this scenario. Unemployment and supply chain disruption are other issues that have gone beyond the control of governments. The countries are also presenting a worsening governance performance.

Developed Countries and Declining Governance During the Pandemic

While considering the US, the initial downplay of the pandemic by the government enhanced the intensity of the issue. The then government leadership presented COVID-19 as equivalent to flu, leading to a lot of confusion. Besides that, the CDC also presented the threat of COVID-19 as low in the initial days. But, later on, when CDC tried to state the facts, the government took control over the CDC.

Another factor is the usage of flawed measures by the CDC to test COVID-19. Akin to that, there was a delay in the approval of testing facilities created by private companies. Due to these factors, there was a rise in the community spread of the virus.

As per a study, the US government could have rescued at least 130,000 lives if they had instructed wearing masks as mandatory. Even the former President refused to wear masks (NY Times), which affected the implementation of this measure.

The US showed a worsening of governance during the pandemic because of its decentralized structure. Due to this, there was a lack in the creation of a national strategy. It is yet another factor that affected the US government.

Akin to the US, European countries also faced issues due to declining governance. Most European countries failed to exercise the constitutional mandates of the World Health Authority. Due to this, there was a lack of coordination, which affected how the countries dealt with the situation.

The Worsening Condition of Governance in Developing Countries

Studies show that 55% of people in the world don’t have government or social protection. Most of them are vulnerable and have faced issues due to the unprecedented strike of the pandemic. In developing countries, there have been challenges in managing crowding issues in hospitals and public places.

The governing bodies are unable to act quickly or take measures that can reduce the spread of COVID-19. Most of them are undergoing a breakdown as they have exceeded their capacity to support patients. It was evident when the second wave hit highly populated countries like India. Besides that, there are economic constraints and the inability to provide proper sanitation facilities.

Brazil is a Latin American country that has been impacted by the pandemic immensely. It is primarily because of the lack of an effective plan. The Brazilian government has, to a great extent, failed to take science-backed measures.

Besides that, they were unable to create any centralized methods. It includes the implementation of social distancing and wearing of masks. Due to these worsening governance performances, there have been over 20 million cases in Brazil. When we examine the data of the last seven days, the average number of cases is 32,778 as of August 4, 2021.

When we look into Argentina, there have been over 106,747 covid-related deaths in total. Similarly, other developing countries like Mexico and Cuba face issues due to the lack of a proper governance system.

Underdeveloped Countries and Lack of Leadership

The challenges faced by poor and underdeveloped countries increased further with the pandemic. The inequalities and economic gaps widened in these countries. When we look into Haiti, the political constraints have been continuing for quite some time. Besides that, people lack trust in the government and its policies.

The number of COVID1-19 patients is less when we compare it to other underdeveloped countries. But, the reason behind this could be lower testing rates. In Haiti, they conducted approximately 53,000 COVID-19 tests for a population of 11 million.

While looking into the Central African Republic, it is one of the least prepared countries for handling the pandemic. The worsening governance performance is evident from the way the government failed to bring in any measures. Mostly, humanitarian organizations in the Central African Republic play the role of the government in handling the situation. The scenario is similar in most underdeveloped countries.

Governments that Performed Well During the Pandemic

Even though most countries faced challenges in handling the pandemic, some governments managed the situation well. Most of them continue to do so as the virus and its mutants are still present in our communities.

Tanzania is a country that came with a quick response when the pandemic hit. The Tanzanian government implemented social distancing and mandated wearing masks immediately. However, they didn’t impose any restrictions in the form of lockdowns. Even then, the government was able to tackle the crisis.

Another country that came up with strict measures to reduce the spread of the virus was Burundi. Evariste Ndayishimiye, the President of Burundi, promoted handwashing and increased the accessibility of soap. Due to these factors, the death rates in these countries are low. Akin to that, Jacinda Arden, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, and her governance have also assisted New Zealand in tackling the issue. Most countries faced declining governance during the pandemic. But, a few countries like New Zealand depicted efficient leadership. The government bodies of different countries could have managed well if they had national strategies with proper planning. Governance involves accountability and leadership. Indeed, for good governance in any state or nation, those in power need dutifully perform their duties.

Reference:

[1] https://www.cooperasalud.org/monographs/problems-of-world-and-european-governance-in-relation-to-health-security-and-the-COVID-19-pandemic.