ISSN 2348-313X (Print) International Journal of Life Sciences Research ISSN 2348-3148 (online) Vol. 9, Issue 4, pp: (20-29), Month: October - December 2021, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
Coping with COVID-19 Pandemic: Comparative Analysis Pimmada Gijsriurai Patumwan Demonstration School, Srinakharinwirot University
Abstract: At the end of 2019, COVID-19 disease spread worldwide and severely affect public health, the economy and society. Each country imposes different control policies and preventive measures to curb the infection rate. Objectives: This comparative analysis aims to study different epidemic control policies and measures dealing with COVID-19 among the top 10 countries with the best recovery rate and compare the advantages and disadvantages of the imposed measures in each of these countries. Methodology: Selection of 6 target countries from the group, i.e. Denmark, the USA, the UK, Israel, Sweden and Singapore. The selection criteria for the study were based on countries with severe outbreaks in 2020 and the top 10 countries with the fastest recovery rate measured based on their lockdown restrictions. Results: It was discovered that these 6 countries both have similarities and differences in measures. The fundamental measures they shared include comprehensive vaccination against COVID-19; 14 days quarantine measures for infected people; emphasis on self-protection by wearing masks; the new normal; social distancing; and lockdown measures. Whereas, the intensity of investment policy in vaccine research development as well as patient monitoring and active surveillance varies from country to country. Moreover, other key measures include vaccination as well as include vaccination from the government which the public can trust, understand and cooperate with. Furthermore, this also requires the public’s cooperation and shared responsibility in following lockdown measures to restrain the rate of infection producing a beneficial effect on saving many lives. Inversely, they cause a severely negative effect on the economy and society. Thus, the government had to introduce some financial support and relief measures to help businesses and individuals affected by COVID-19 at the same time. As for social policy, measures have started to loosen periodically and most importantly, the release of lockdown restrictions for businesses to reopen. Ultimately, the focus was to achieve a balance between public health safety, the economy and society simultaneously. Keywords: COVID-19, Coping with COVID-19, Comparative COVID-19 policy.
1. INTRODUCTION The case of pneumonia of unknown cause was first detected in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province of China on 8 December 2019. By the end of December 2019, there were reports of many similar cases where the new coronavirus later named COVID-19 were identified as the cause. COVID-19 disease affects the respiratory system in humans and is fatal in severe cases. Epidemiologically, it was discovered that cells that are at risk of being invaded are located below the airway, leading to respiratory failure. The elderly and males are found to have shown more severe symptoms than females when infected with COVID-19 [1]. The virus easily spreads by coming in contact with droplets of discharge from the nose or saliva via a respiratory tract when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or speak at close range. This also includes rubbing the eyes, nose or mouth with the contaminated hands after touching surfaces with COVID-19 viruses. In addition, the virus has a long incubation period before showing any signs or symptoms after 5-14 days while the transmission period lasts between 8-10 days or longer. This increases the chances of spreading the diseases considerably
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