Erika’s Reviews > The COVID-19 Catastrophe: What's Gone Wrong and How To Stop It Happening Again > Status Update

... *reads 2-star review of this book*
what... this person rates this book because the author goes easy on China? ... I don't think that's the point of this book. And besides, as an East Asian I don't want Chinese people to be associated with this pandemic ('cause that could easily lead to more hate toward Ease Asian people.. and hate and prejudices toward Chinese people in Japan as well.)

on the other hand, I think the Taiwanese government is doing a great job trying to stop the virus. When my friend went to Taipei, she had to stay in the hotel for 2 weeks, and was not able to go out the hotel door. (was not even able to put the used towel (she wanted it washed) on the table that's blocking the door)

> and she just went around the city the next day she arrived from Sweden. I don't think the Japanese Government is doing anything to stop the spread of this virus. They do things that sound okay on paper and pretends that everything is under control.
(Just think about the "Go-To Travel". ugh.)

^ .... sadly, this is NOT strictly enforced to Japanese people who live abroad and came back to Japan for a short stay.
My friend who lives in Sweden came back to Tokyo for a few weeks earlier this year, and the border officials just let her go back to her mother's house with the promise that they'll contact her daily for a health check-up, but since she didn't have Japanese phone number, they couldn't reach her, >

Several Asian countries (Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong) implemented strict border controls as part of their pandemic response, often with mandatory testing and 14-day quarantine to cover the full incubation period of the virus.

Syndemic nature of the threat we face from COVID-19 means that a much more nuanced approach is needed if we are to protect the health of our communities.

O'Connor and Weatherall's central claim (in the 'The Misinformation Age') is that 'We need to recognize fake news as a profound problem that requires accountability and investment to solve'. COVID-19 vaccine misinformation is not taken as seriously as it should be. That complacency needs to end.

'fake news', trust issues, scientists and industry fundings.

the battle against COVID-19 is not only on the medical front, but it's on the informational front as well.

Anyone who thinks the 'marketplace of ideas' will sort fact from fiction is mistaken. Only an active effort to defeat misinformation will suceed.

The social character of fake news
The connections between us in groups and networks enable the propagation of misleading evidence as well as true beliefs.
The greater the distrust among those with different views, the greater the risk of permanent polarisation.
We are also prey to conformity bias- a desire to agree with others and to trust the judgement of others.