Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast
"Here in Hong Kong, we carry the scars of the SARS outbreak."
If COVID-19 is the most significant test of our generation, we count ourselves lucky because to win, we need to stay home. No one is asking us to storm across no man's land to attack an enemy position or leave family behind for months or years. Instead, the majority face a test involving passivity, Netflix, the Internet and a degree of isolation.
My grandpa sacrificed four years away from family. That took him through Dunkirk, charging back and forth across North Africa, battling Rommel, and then pushing into Germany. His generation went through real deprivations, with death around the corner. So, get some perspective. And those folks moaning about civil liberties and 'my rights' should cut the crap.
And yes, we are all part of a vast experiment as countries adopt different strategies to tackle COVID-19. When this is over, each place will face scrutiny for how effective its approach proved. Crunched data and a death-rate tally will judge the outcome, reflecting on all of us. We must pay attention and learn from these different national approaches, as they will keep us informed and engaged in the global fight against the virus.
Granted, at this time, we only have a provisional understanding of the situation. Without wishing to prejudge, evidence is emerging that societies in the East are attaining better outcomes. Thus, the question is, 'Does an authoritarian, dictatorial, and draconian society fair better than a democracy?' Or, 'Does collectivism defeat individualism?' These are matters with a distinct political dimension.
Trump understands this. He's unsettled that the USA now tops the league of COVID-19 cases, so he plays a distraction and blame game to cover his initial slow reaction.
Here in Hong Kong, we carry the scars of the SARS outbreak. Thus, when COVID-19 emerged, the population acted without government prompting. Notably, people started wearing masks. Then, in time, the government response gathered pace. And while far from perfect—if such a thing exists—nonetheless, it contained this situation. Then, returnees brought new clusters of cases from Europe and elsewhere. Now, our focus is to hold that second wave in check. Mainland China is in a similar position.
Both Japan and Singapore are doing better than other places. Can we attribute this to strategy, preparedness, capacity, and responsiveness? Well, yes, these are all contributing factors. Also, culture has a significant, sometimes intangible, influence. As management guru Peter Drucker asserted, 'Culture eats strategy for breakfast.'
For starters, the Japanese are meticulous about hygiene. They've taken the process of cleaning to a new level. Visit any Japanese hardware store to marvel at the variety of brushes and cleaning agents. Collectivism and selflessness mark Japan as able to coordinate uniformity of action as the norm. That's a significant plus in a crisis.
Elsewhere in Asia, tiny Singapore has a track record of adopting 'best practices' from around the world and implementation. All too often, experts and politicians in the West talk a 'good game' and then fail to act. Singapore implements with ruthless determination. They also have a cohesive society. Notably, panic buying soon abated in Singapore when citizens named and shamed those hoarding.
Looking to the West, politicians and governments reacted to China's warning signs when, in some instances, it was far too late. Alarm bells rang in mid-January, yet even two weeks ago, some places remained complacent.
Besides, flip-flopping strategies don't help. The UK's 'herd immunity' approach lasted several days before it was abandoned. Then, the nation ignored a polite plea for people to stay at home as warm weather brought people out. Thus, in no time, the predicted surge in cases arrived.
The British government simulated a pandemic in 2016. These exercises highlighted significant flaws, including a lack of capacity. The ability to deal with the anticipated number of deaths was woefully inadequate. So, what happened? Nothing. The reports gathered dust.
The models suggested a quarter of those infected would need ventilators. The NHS has 5000 ventilators. With 17,312 affected as of 29 March and cases piling in, all ventilators will be in use by early next week. Then what? Add to that a hollowed-out manufacturing sector with a reliance on overseas producers. The NHS will need more than 6.6 critical care beds per 100,000 people (Germany has 29 per 100,000).
Commentators opined that people in the West didn't respond to the request for social distancing due to the cult of individualism with its attached narcissistic tendencies. Maybe. However, unclear messaging by governments and a tendency to downplay matters didn't help. Plus, never discount stupidity. Even here in Hong Kong, people ignored quarantine orders with a blasé attitude until the police arrived.
Fortunately, I have heard from relatives in the UK that there is cohesion in the local community. Neighbours check on the elderly and offer to help with shopping. While stories of slashed ambulance tyres and spitting at police officers garner the headlines, these are exceptions.
Moreover, the self-important grievance-mongers who fret about pronouns and misgendering are silent. Their over-inflated concerns are starting to look more like first-world indulgences. A real crisis will do that.
But one group can't help but reassert its precedence above all others. Despite medical services stretched to breaking point, one group awaiting elected surgery claimed priority. Of course, the Guardian can't help but write articles detailing the trials and tribulations of artists, comedians, and actors. We must all feel sorry for the luvvies.
Two months ago, we in Hong Kong and other places in Asia amused the world with a scramble for toilet paper. That amusement has stopped. It's now our turn to watch in bafflement as people in the USA respond to COVID-19 with an 800% increase in gun purchases. How many pointless deaths will this bring? Time will tell.
And now, my central point. Sometimes, it takes a crisis to help us realise that we may have been on the wrong track. Doubtless, Covid-19 may prove cathartic in many ways. And, inevitably, a shakeout of societal strength is underway. Will a particular national approach prevail? Will community cohesiveness grow? It's hard to say at this point, yet intriguing to watch.
However, one thing is clear: the need for community cohesiveness has never been more crucial. It's what will keep us united and connected in these challenging times.
March 2020
My grandpa sacrificed four years away from family. That took him through Dunkirk, charging back and forth across North Africa, battling Rommel, and then pushing into Germany. His generation went through real deprivations, with death around the corner. So, get some perspective. And those folks moaning about civil liberties and 'my rights' should cut the crap.
And yes, we are all part of a vast experiment as countries adopt different strategies to tackle COVID-19. When this is over, each place will face scrutiny for how effective its approach proved. Crunched data and a death-rate tally will judge the outcome, reflecting on all of us. We must pay attention and learn from these different national approaches, as they will keep us informed and engaged in the global fight against the virus.
Granted, at this time, we only have a provisional understanding of the situation. Without wishing to prejudge, evidence is emerging that societies in the East are attaining better outcomes. Thus, the question is, 'Does an authoritarian, dictatorial, and draconian society fair better than a democracy?' Or, 'Does collectivism defeat individualism?' These are matters with a distinct political dimension.
Trump understands this. He's unsettled that the USA now tops the league of COVID-19 cases, so he plays a distraction and blame game to cover his initial slow reaction.
Here in Hong Kong, we carry the scars of the SARS outbreak. Thus, when COVID-19 emerged, the population acted without government prompting. Notably, people started wearing masks. Then, in time, the government response gathered pace. And while far from perfect—if such a thing exists—nonetheless, it contained this situation. Then, returnees brought new clusters of cases from Europe and elsewhere. Now, our focus is to hold that second wave in check. Mainland China is in a similar position.
Both Japan and Singapore are doing better than other places. Can we attribute this to strategy, preparedness, capacity, and responsiveness? Well, yes, these are all contributing factors. Also, culture has a significant, sometimes intangible, influence. As management guru Peter Drucker asserted, 'Culture eats strategy for breakfast.'
For starters, the Japanese are meticulous about hygiene. They've taken the process of cleaning to a new level. Visit any Japanese hardware store to marvel at the variety of brushes and cleaning agents. Collectivism and selflessness mark Japan as able to coordinate uniformity of action as the norm. That's a significant plus in a crisis.
Elsewhere in Asia, tiny Singapore has a track record of adopting 'best practices' from around the world and implementation. All too often, experts and politicians in the West talk a 'good game' and then fail to act. Singapore implements with ruthless determination. They also have a cohesive society. Notably, panic buying soon abated in Singapore when citizens named and shamed those hoarding.
Looking to the West, politicians and governments reacted to China's warning signs when, in some instances, it was far too late. Alarm bells rang in mid-January, yet even two weeks ago, some places remained complacent.
Besides, flip-flopping strategies don't help. The UK's 'herd immunity' approach lasted several days before it was abandoned. Then, the nation ignored a polite plea for people to stay at home as warm weather brought people out. Thus, in no time, the predicted surge in cases arrived.
The British government simulated a pandemic in 2016. These exercises highlighted significant flaws, including a lack of capacity. The ability to deal with the anticipated number of deaths was woefully inadequate. So, what happened? Nothing. The reports gathered dust.
The models suggested a quarter of those infected would need ventilators. The NHS has 5000 ventilators. With 17,312 affected as of 29 March and cases piling in, all ventilators will be in use by early next week. Then what? Add to that a hollowed-out manufacturing sector with a reliance on overseas producers. The NHS will need more than 6.6 critical care beds per 100,000 people (Germany has 29 per 100,000).
Commentators opined that people in the West didn't respond to the request for social distancing due to the cult of individualism with its attached narcissistic tendencies. Maybe. However, unclear messaging by governments and a tendency to downplay matters didn't help. Plus, never discount stupidity. Even here in Hong Kong, people ignored quarantine orders with a blasé attitude until the police arrived.
Fortunately, I have heard from relatives in the UK that there is cohesion in the local community. Neighbours check on the elderly and offer to help with shopping. While stories of slashed ambulance tyres and spitting at police officers garner the headlines, these are exceptions.
Moreover, the self-important grievance-mongers who fret about pronouns and misgendering are silent. Their over-inflated concerns are starting to look more like first-world indulgences. A real crisis will do that.
But one group can't help but reassert its precedence above all others. Despite medical services stretched to breaking point, one group awaiting elected surgery claimed priority. Of course, the Guardian can't help but write articles detailing the trials and tribulations of artists, comedians, and actors. We must all feel sorry for the luvvies.
Two months ago, we in Hong Kong and other places in Asia amused the world with a scramble for toilet paper. That amusement has stopped. It's now our turn to watch in bafflement as people in the USA respond to COVID-19 with an 800% increase in gun purchases. How many pointless deaths will this bring? Time will tell.
And now, my central point. Sometimes, it takes a crisis to help us realise that we may have been on the wrong track. Doubtless, Covid-19 may prove cathartic in many ways. And, inevitably, a shakeout of societal strength is underway. Will a particular national approach prevail? Will community cohesiveness grow? It's hard to say at this point, yet intriguing to watch.
However, one thing is clear: the need for community cohesiveness has never been more crucial. It's what will keep us united and connected in these challenging times.
March 2020
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