If you read the news headlines in the UK, and you read the headlines in Australia, both countries are talking about the coronavirus.
It’s hard to tell them apart, and it’s all too easy to think the story of the virus in each country is similar.
But when you look at the data, the story is dramatically different.
On 27 July 2020, the UK had 421 daily confirmed new cases, Australia had 453.
On 22 October 2020, the UK had 26, 687 daily confirmed new cases, Australia had 14.
Nations are complex systems, and I’m at risk of over simplifying here, but this data provides some evidence that lockdowns, border closures, and obedient citizens can control this virus.
For those of you reading this in the UK, the US, or other countries with rising case counts: wear your mask, and please stay safe this winter.