response

 When talking about “loose” cultures, Khan (2011) explains that loose cultures are more relaxed in their expectations and also more forgiving with people who deviate from expected social norms. To me, an example of this can be seen in Australia’s more laid-back culture, which tends to welcome people from different backgrounds and nationalities in their diverse communities. Even though Australia is considered to have a loose culture, they have handled the pandemic very well, while also being respectful of the countrys culture.

            According to Perper (2020), as of May 17th, 2020, Australia has only recorded 98 deaths out of a population of about 25 million residents. Compared to America, Australia has a similar governmental health structure. Both countries have federal, state, and local governments that all work together to maintain the health of the public, however Australia’s decision making on all levels worked together to protect its citizens from the pandemic (Boxall, 2020).  Two things in particular that Australia implemented that helped them combat the virus include working with their country’s scientists and making testing widely available early on into the situation (Perper, 2020).  Australia’s Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, used health experts to deliver medical information to the residents instead of making the pandemic political, which can help point to why Australia had good outcomes. Additionally, Australia used widespread testing early in the pandemic and lessened the restrictions for getting tested, which allowed for more residents to get tested and thus to better overall health outcomes for the country (Perper, 2020).

 

Boxall, A. (2020, April 14).  What the US could learn from Australia’s COVID-19 response. Milbank Memorial Fund.  https://www.milbank.org/2020/04/what-the-us-could-learn-from-australias-covid-19-response/

 

Khan, R. (2011, May 28). Loose vs. tight societies. Discover Magazine.  https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/loose-vs-tight-societies

 

Perper, R. (2020, May 18). As Australian and US states lift lockdowns, one expert says 4 key differences helped Australia manage its outbreak while the US is fumbling its response. Business Insider.  https://www.businessinsider.com/expert-explains-4-key-differences-between-us-australia-coronavirus-strategy-2020-5

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