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by lend000 1885 days ago
Those places all happen to be islands (South Korea being a political island). Regardless of population and density in the country, if you share land borders, you are subject to the whims of the least careful country on your subcontinent.
2 comments
ceejayoz 1885 days ago
Vietnam’s doing well despite plenty of border. There’s clearly more than one variable at play.
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lend000 1885 days ago
Of course. But even in Vietnam's case, geography is clearly playing a major role. Policy differences can explain variation within SE Asia, but all of those countries have spikes at the same time, and are in a relative bubble of land travel in the continent (major border with China, which is more or less COVID-free due to authoritarian measures, lowly trafficked mountain ranges and undeveloped regions, and a thin strip connecting to Malaysia).

Seems like the main factors for success are: 1. Geography 2. Density 3. Freedom (or lack thereof) 4. Masks 5. Money

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decafninja 1885 days ago
I'm not too familiar with Vietnamese culture, but I'd probably chalk them up to the "Asian culture" factor which in general tends to be more collectivist than most Western countries.

Isn't Vietnam a highly authoritarian country too?

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refurb 1885 days ago
As someone who has lived in developing Asian countries to say there is a more collectivist culture isn’t accurate. Just look at the level of pollution (I’ll dump my trash here because who cares?) and “it’s not illegal if you don’t get caught” attitude.

I would say there is a much greater acceptance of control than in the West. If the govt decides to lock an apartment building up with residents inside to control Covid you won’t here many protests.

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flukus 1885 days ago
> f you share land borders, you are subject to the whims of the least careful country on your subcontinent.

Only if a nation is incapable of controlling their land borders, and that doesn't have to mean fully closed.

All of those countries have had outbreaks and a single case in a country is enough to negate any advantage being an island brings, all have successfully controlled the virus even after it got a beach head.

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