[bcrosby95]

A handful of countries were able to prevent an epidemic in their own country because they responded quickly. The vast majority of them ignored the virus and claimed it wouldn't come here, and changed their tune only when it was too late.

China gave a perfectly fine head start as evidenced by countries that were able to contain it. Everyone else just wasted the head start, and I see no evidence that they wouldn't have wasted it even if China gave them a longer one.

[wpasc]

The first US case was diagnosed on Jan 19 2020. The US-China border was closed on Feb 2. Screening procedures followed later on. It is up for debate whether or not screening procedures would have started earlier if the border had closed earlier. BUT, to say there is no evidence at all that a longer head start would have helped countries is a very dubious claim.

[misun78]

Which countries are you referring to?