Economist Podcasts Pestilent peninsula: covid in North Korea
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May 19, 2022 North Korea's zero-covid strategy has failed, revealing a dire health crisis exacerbated by tuberculosis and malnutrition. Meanwhile, Turkey is grappling with rising anti-refugee sentiment amid political turmoil, as politicians scapegoat refugees to gain votes. On a different note, the educational landscape in the Arab world shows girls consistently outperforming boys, highlighting significant disparities in motivation and literacy among genders. These discussions reveal complex interactions between health, politics, and education in challenging socio-economic climates.
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Hong Kong's Omicron Experience
- Hong Kong's low elderly vaccination rate led to a spike in deaths during an Omicron outbreak.
- This highlights the risks for North Korea with its unvaccinated population.
North Korea's Options
- North Korea needs external help to establish an effective vaccination program.
- China and South Korea have offered assistance, which could save lives if accepted.
Questioning North Korea's Claims
- North Korea's advice to treat COVID with basic remedies like salt water suggests limited resources.
- Their claims of keeping COVID out entirely seem doubtful given this.