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If Iran can verify 82 million, why can't Luxembourg manage 625K
Stephen Lowe questions the timeline for containment and treatment of coronavirus in Luxembourg.
The nation, as disparate and widespread as it is, has been asking why there was not a stricter plan in place for, if not wholly containing, then at least testing for coronavirus infections on a larger scale?
Xavier Bettel finally sprung into action this week after a slowly building paranoia finally gave rise to official commentary on the global pandemic.
Even before the first press conference was announced, dissent was forming around the information scatter, or the lack thereof. The country's media outlets were being pilloried for trotting out the same headlines while also outlining other nation's more proactive plans.
Fear quietly grew and as those gentle jibes following coughs and sneezes in the offices and communal areas became more and more pointed, real worry became commonplace.
Whispers began, online, naturally.
Were we (the people) being told the truth?
The second press conference swiftly followed - well, after an extended delay, we are led to believe that this came from arguments on the direction that broiled right until the PM took the podium - and a few more data sets and outlines were proffered. But still there was a sense that all was not well in Denmark....nor Austria, Bulgaria, The UK, Ukraine, even Kenya as it turns out.
Questions have been asked on whether the Ministry Of Health had/has sufficient support to structures in place.
This Friday (wholly ironic in that it was the 13th) has seen the real wave of hysteria hit, and like it or not, the images do speak for themselves and the number of event cancellations, public recommendations, school closures, do point toward a larger issue than is officially indicated.
'Have you woken up Luxembourg?' read a comment on our Facebook page after the announcements of school closures went live.
There is the sense that yes indeed the nation is now hyper-aware of the reality of the scenario playing out, not just on screens, but in real life, but as you do when leaping out of bed and trying to sprint, you tumble, fall, injure yourself in a sleep-addled mind and try as you might, tangled in your PJ's, you just cannot move forward.
This is how it feels being in Luxembourg right now. Half-asleep. Half head in sand.
There's the hope that it may just go away, all by itself.
Other nations can deal with the real issues.
The public are also suspicious of the information being supplied through media and through impromptu and delayed press conferences, whereas other countries appear to be more open and transparent as regards to what steps are being taken.
Italy was widely praised for the decisive action taken in locking down the borders. China, after taking a bit of a kicking (as you may expect) is also curbing the spread following strict shutdowns.
The easiest way to stop something spreading is to prevent the means of contamination, yet EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is publicly requesting that we do not go the route of a unilateral travel ban.
The fear of certain factions that this is more an economic concern than a human one is hardly being downplayed when a country as rich as Luxembourg purports to be is seen to be dithering on what is BEST AND APPROPRIATE ACTION.
It is also in these instances where you realise that we are the same at flesh and bone. It is also where we are aware of how different we are. Nations respond in varying manners with vastly differing priorities and in ways that others may not understand.
Certainly when we have the likes of Viktor Orban simply reducing the coronavirus outbreak to being the fault of migrants, you quickly identify where something as terrifying (and lets not beat around the bush here) as this can lead.
If Trier can open underground testing centres within days, and (though still to be confirmed) are to patrol borders with testing kits, presumably to block the transfer of citizens infected, back in to Germany.
If Italy can offer a financial stimulus package that will prevent and protect 60 million people, Luxembourg can do more than suggest people work from home and politely ask people to be more courteous with shopping trolleys. (though the Chamber of Commerce has declared that businesses in financial trouble can take up loans of €250,000)
If Ireland is seeking additional beds in preparing for the worst, what is Luxembourg's next step?
Having worked for a major US Bank and seeing the data back up/disaster recovery sites I do know what I am talking about when I say the money will be fine.
If Iran can test* over 82 million people in ten days, over a landmass of 1,648,195 km2 then surely Luxembourg (2,586 km2 ) can test its populace in a comparable time period.
And, when I say comparable, I mean in relative terms. It should be possible for the government to simply say 'This has gone far enough, we down tools. We close borders and we test everyone'. It would take but a couple of days.
*testing is a) clearing streets b) monitoring via cyberspace/telecoms c) personal/medical follow up and those suspected of being ill being 'fully identified.'
But then what?
Let's say that 2% of those tested are positive, that's still (quick head sums) approx fifteen thousand people to isolate and treat.
Where would these people be housed and cared for, who would care for them and for how long?
A fortnight does not seem that long in every day parlance, but in reality, in quarantine, feverish and scared, that is a long, long time.
Yes the logistics and the loopholes are far and wide but there is scope for momentum to be built.
Luxembourg's Prime Minister has repeated that now is the time to act and not to simply react.
When all that is said and done, the questions aimed at Xavier Bettel's cabinet are vitriolic and a lot of rhetoric is being cast, the full responsibility does not rest on one man's shoulders, but when all eyes are on you, it is your action that counts.
When Nation Branding is one the country's key assets, it is certain that brand needs to remain strong.
Right now, it is on the ropes.
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
― Mother Theresa
