Covid-19, which started from Wuhan in China, is now spreading in the world at a greater speed than within China. More than anything, it comes with a lot of uncertainty. The number of deaths in Italy due to the virus is increasing, although its affluent regions have world-class health care, yet are running out of ventilators and oxygen and exhausted staff are forced to leave untreated patients to die. The article lists three points which will determine how world leaders will cope with this: their attitude to uncertainty, the efficiency of their health systems, and whether they are trusted by their people. The politicians are suspected in these times for hiding the truth, such as in Iran where officials tried to cover up deaths caused from the virus. The biggest challenge to world democracies is whether they will tolerate the harsh regimes of isolation and surveillance that were needed and exemplified by China’s government. The article recommends politicians to strike a balance between the benefits of tracking the disease and the invasion of privacy. China and South Korea are suggesting the mass testing as the way of limiting the spread of virus. The Covid-19 is also creating a financial risk that needs to be treated as soon as possible. Singapore has proved itself an example for dealing efficiently in curbing the spread, by taking the lessons from SARS, the pandemic that broke out in 2013.
