Comparison between India, USA and China on the Basis of Rigidity of Public Health Measures with Case Count and Mortality Rate during COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 Pandemic has been governed by various policies across the world, with corresponding public health measures varying in rigidity. Does this influence the course of the illness within each nation? This research presents an analysis of policy approaches adopted by the United States, China, and India, to describe the rigidity of public health measures and effects on case numbers and mortality rates. We show that in India, high rigidity is correlated with lower mortality. Rigidity in policy is also influenced by available resources in the country; for a resource-poor country like India, strict lockdown measures are vital to prevent overwhelming the healthcare systems and its resources. However, for a nation like the United States, a greater availability of resources may result in less stringent measures, putting greater emphasis on the workforce that prevents total lockdown. Similarly, we observe that citizen trust also influences public health policies. Chinese citizens had greater trust in their government and followed the less strict measures, and were successful in decreasing the case number and mortality rates.