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to 95%, and is paying employees half to all the monthly minimum
wage. The government has required banks to extend loans at reduced
interest rates to keep the economy afloat. The administration has also
suspended evictions, frozen all rent increases, and forgiven penalties
imposed for not paying taxes due on those in the lowest tax bracket.
Despite Argentina’s divided politics, the new President stood
with leaders from across the political spectrum in a display of unity to
announce the March 19 lockdown. The central government is work-
ing closely with state governors and all health providers, securing
private sector cooperation without nationalization. Meanwhile, the
armed forces are building triage centres in case of a surge in infec-
tions. Argentina’s infection and mortality rates are low, but its testing
rate is well behind Chile’s, although it is improving fast.
Meanwhile social, religious, and business groups deliver food
to more than two million in the greater Buenos Aires area alone.
Despite these relief measures, much hardship remains, especially for
those relying on daily incomes. Yet, government measures have 94.7%
approval, with the President’s popularity soaring to 81%.
Governance, Mobilization, Leadership
In order to plan and effectively implement needed measures, enhance
efficacy, and minimize disruption, an “all of government” approach
would significantly improve design and implementation of needed
measures. In all too many situations, public health and police authori-
ties manage lockdowns with little meaningful consultation with the
rest of government. Human resource, social protection, transport,
education, media, industry, fiscal, and other relevant authorities need
to be appropriately engaged to plan, design, and implement various
measures, as well as post-lockdown and post-COVID-19 transitions to
varying notions of “new normal.”
Another condition for success is “whole of society” mobilization
to secure popular participation and support for undoubtedly difficult
transitions. Government transparency and explanation of evolving
situations and justification of various measures undertaken are impor-
tant for public understanding, cooperation, support, and legitimacy.
Flexibility is important, as well as the willingness and ability to
change strategy and policies in response to new developments and
realizations, especially in dealing with a fast unfolding situation with
so much that is unfamiliar, or worse, misleadingly familiar. Singapore’s
VULNERABLE
The Law, Policy and Ethics of COVID-19
- Title
- VULNERABLE
- Subtitle
- The Law, Policy and Ethics of COVID-19
- Authors
- Vanessa MacDonnell
- Jane Philpott
- Sophie Thériault
- Sridhar Venkatapuram
- Publisher
- Ottawa Press
- Date
- 2020
- Language
- English
- License
- CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
- ISBN
- 9780776636429
- Size
- 15.2 x 22.8 cm
- Pages
- 648
- Categories
- Coronavirus
- International