[CardinalSagehen]

If in March I was given a choice between  
Group 1 - South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and Norway  
Group 2 - Brazil, Mexico and Russia

I would have picked Group 1 for sure, and would have never imagined we would actually be less successful than the countries in that Group 2 list.

Your analysis is reductive. That hypothetical choice is harder than you make it sound.

First, where would North Korea fall in your hypothetical groups?  I'd have probably gone along with them. They have such a strong leader who trusts his instincts and is unfairly attacked by the media. That would sort of break the tie for me between Groups 1 and 2. 

Second, your analysis hyper-focuses on masks and lockdowns, completely overlooking another important policy X-factor - Hydroxychloroquine. 

Lastly, define "successful". The stock market hit an all-time high this week, so all is well, right?!

[CardinalSagehen]

If in March I was given a choice between  
Group 1 - South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and Norway  
Group 2 - Brazil, Mexico and Russia

I would have picked Group 1 for sure, and would have never imagined we would actually be less successful than the countries in that Group 2 list.

Your analysis is reductive. That hypothetical choice is harder than you make it sound.

First, where would North Korea fall in your hypothetical groups?  I'd have probably gone along with them. They have such a strong leader who trusts his instincts and is unfairly attacked by the media. That would sort of break the tie for me between Groups 1 and 2. 

Second, your analysis hyper-focuses on masks and lockdowns, completely overlooking another important policy X-factor - Hydroxychloroquine. 

Lastly, define "successful". The stock market hit an all-time high this week, so all is well, right?!