The Intelligence from The Economist Delta‘s force: Australia’s covid plans crumble
Aug 25, 2021
Matt Steinglass, The Economist’s Europe correspondent, delves into Australia’s COVID-19 challenges amid the Delta variant surge. He highlights the country's drastic shift from a strict zero-COVID approach to managing infections post-vaccination. The discussion shifts to the newly established European Public Prosecutor's Office, aimed at tackling corruption and fraud among EU member states. Steinglass also touches on Japan's vibrant seasonal snack culture, showcasing how it influences consumer behavior and dining experiences.
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Zero-COVID Success
- Australia's zero-COVID approach, involving border closures and contact tracing, was initially successful.
- This success allowed for a relatively normal life for much of the pandemic, with low infection and death rates.
Delta's Impact
- The Delta variant's high contagiousness challenged the zero-COVID strategy's effectiveness.
- Contact tracing became less effective as Delta spread faster than tracers could work.
Regional Experiences
- New Zealand and Vietnam also struggled with the Delta variant and shifted away from zero-COVID.
- Singapore, with high vaccination rates, fared better against Delta.