[gurkendoktor]

There is at least one country that didn't underestimate the virus - Taiwan, which was way ahead of the WHO at every step: warned about human-to-human transmission at the end of 2019(!), quickly ramped up travel restrictions, immediately mobilized to mass-produce masks.

The vast majority of new cases in Taiwan are imported now, and everyone coming back has to self-quarantine for 14 days.

[tooltalk]

how about Vietnam (174 cases and no death so far)? It shares physical border with China and the country's health system, much less response to the pandemic, threadbare; yet they have fewer cases than Taiwan.

IMO, I think it's very difficult to draw any important lessons from countries that are warmer climate like Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, or Thailand.

[gurkendoktor]

The grandparent was talking about taking the risk seriously - you can say that about Taiwan no matter its climate.

My gut feeling is that the culture of wearing masks, not shaking hands etc. is just as important of a factor as the climate. I guess we'll find out by observing cooler Japan.