Yet in some sense this oversight can be forgiven as the virus wasn't well understood at that stage. Yet the evidence of the dangers that the virus posed were clear as day by the time the virus arrived in these countries. Already drastically divided and polarised by populist rhetoric that invoked the most extreme forms of mis- and disinformation, they didn't stand a chance when the virus took hold. In both countries, the virus entered a socio-political maelstrom that was devoid of honest leadership and communication at the very highest level. In the 2020 Edelman Barometer Survey South Africa ranked lowest among all nations in respect of public trust in institutions, and in all four categories.

Source: News 24 July 24, 2020 03:45 UTC