US COVID-19 response reflects disregard for science, says scholar

In an article titled Politics Overriding Science and Western Anti-epidemic Problems which was published in the local Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao, Zheng Yongnian, Research Professor of the East Asian Institute of the National University of Singapore, wrote that the anti-epidemic situation in East Asian society has been more successful, especially in dealing with the relationship between politics and science.

Zheng commented that, as politics is commonplace on the international stage, it is not difficult to understand that dealing with COVID-19 has evolved into a power competition among countries. Trump's administration has put so much energy into blaming China. One can imagine how many lives could be saved if these officials and politicians put their energy into the fight against the epidemic.

The article abstract is as follows:

The relentless spread of COVID-19 has seen large numbers of people infected or dying every day around the world. Many factors cause differences in anti-epidemic responses among countries, but how to deal with the relationship between politics and science is undoubtedly a core issue; if handled properly, not only can the epidemic be controlled, but also the economy will not suffer heavy losses.

Compared with Western countries, the anti-epidemic situation in East Asian society is more successful, and the key to success is that the East Asian governments can achieve a balance between science and politics during the anti-epidemic process.

Unfortunately, the US Trump administration's pattern of sidelining science —including censoring scientific experts, attempting to disband scientific advisory committees, and suppressing scientific research—has even occurred in this time of crisis. Many times already President Trump has spread misinformation about COVID-19 which could complicate future efforts to control the disease in the US.

The COVID-19 epidemic has not in the slightest altered political attitudes. To these politicians, national interests reign above all else. Not only does this attitude target China, but it also expresses itself in the way in which some Western countries deal with domestic issues. In the US, the debate between political parties is about the relative importance between fighting the epidemic and sustaining the economy and livelihoods, with the conservatives advocating sacrificing lives to protect the economy. The White House obstructed the CDC report, and disguised the implementation of the epidemic prevention measures to the states and even the enterprises themselves.

As the COVID-19 situation continues to worsen in the United States, their smear campaign against China has become even more unscrupulous. They are desperate to hold China accountable for the pandemic, and blackmail China to "compensate" for the losses caused by COVID-19.

In any country, politics exist and are indispensable. In a democratic country, politics are seen as an effective way to prevent politicians from going to power for their interests or the interests of the parties they represent. But if politics override science, it will be difficult to find the most effective way to save people's lives.

It is reasonable to resume economic activities because if the society shuts down and the economy collapses, more problems will arise. The problem is how to gradually restart business activities scientifically.

How to achieve a balance between politics and science? This is a problem faced by governments of various countries. At least so far, the performance of East Asian society in this respect is far superior to that of Western society.