Coronavirus and Globalization: Spiegel

A coronavirus moves through populations with astounding speed. A Wuhan doctor identified seven cases as a public health issue on December 30. Local authorities berated him for breaking the law before he fell ill, too. The world reports 20,000 confirmed cases in 24 countries with more than 500 deaths. China, responsible for about one-third of global economic growth, responded by closing businesses and schools and restricting gatherings. Other countries have closed borders with China and blocked flights. Experts suggest infections may peak in February or May. Globalization has lifted millions from poverty, yet also “makes the world more vulnerable to all sorts of disruption, from terrorist attacks to natural disasters – and epidemics,” reports a team for Spiegel Online. “The story of the coronavirus is about more than just medicine and China. It is a lesson on the increasing interdependence – and the political, economic and social dimensions – of today's world. It is a story about the globalization of danger.” Public health officials advise citizens to self-quarantine, avoiding crowds and unnecessary travel, washing hands and using precautions. Public health officials compare national responses and debate the benefit of China’s strict enforcement measures and the tendency to punish those who raised an early alarm. – YaleGlobal