Bumbling, wasteful US should learn from China’s coronavirus response
- China has Covid-19 under control with draconian measures and tech-based monitoring while the US is struggling with uncoordinated and premature reopenings
- The disease has exposed many institutional weaknesses in US society and economy, which, despite their strengths, are not structured to withstand pandemic shocks

Among the long queues for food banks in the United States were high-end cars. While some Americans suffered from hunger, some US farmers destroyed crops. Among the many closed restaurants across the US, some will close for good.
The contrast above may epitomise the greater resilience of China’s economy. China may be poorer and less developed but more adaptive. Chinese people can also endure great hardships.
What are some underlying reasons the US’s economy is not as resilient against the Covid-19 shock? First is Americans’ low savings. Even someone with a six-figure salary driving a luxury vehicle may live hand to mouth, burdened with high household debts including mortgages, car loans, educational loans and credit card bills.

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