It’s something of a surprise to see an image like this in the Daily Telegraph, criticising Britain’s handling of the pandemic. After all, the right-wing newspaper is normally a strong supporter of the UK government – and, of course, is also a former employer of Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Look carefully though and the image is not entirely what it seems. In the small print at the top you can see that the Telegraph is not directly condemning the prime minister in this youtube video. Instead the paper is showing how various media from around the world have been pointing out mistakes made by the UK government since the onset of the virus.
Nevertheless, it’s still an eye-opener that the Telegraph has given space to so many of these international critiques, both in this video and in its columns.
This global criticism was sparked off by last week’s figures showing that the UK now has the highest official number of deaths in Europe from the virus. This meant that the eyes of the world have been on Britain, never a comfortable position to be in. Most of us – whether as individuals or members of groups of any kind – find it hard to deal with any outside criticism.
Yet people beyond our normal circle can sometimes see things that we ourselves are blinded to, either wilfully or sub-consciously. Of course, external critics may sometimes be unfair, untruthful or just plain wrong. But often they can be of help in pointing out obvious and constructive truths without fear or favour.
I’m reminded of the famous Hans Christian Andersen fable in which we all know that a small child, free of any group think, is able to point out that the much-feted and well-dressed Emperor is in fact wearing no clothes.
The eyes of the world have continued to be on Britain this week too as Boris Johnson announced tentative steps to ease some lockdown restrictions. His speech sparked off another flurry of criticism in newspapers across the globe.
The New York Times also devoted its daily podcast to an interview with its London correspondent about how Britain has fared during the pandemic. As a Brit, it’s sometimes an uncomfortable listen but it’s also revealing to hear an honest outside opinion.
Over the past few weeks many in the UK have often turned their eyes to the United States and criticised President Trump’s inadequate public health response to Covid-19. It’s unnerving now when the boot is on the other foot.
The governments of the UK, the US and several other countries, including China and Belgium, have all publicly bristled when criticised during this crisis. One can only hope that our leaders will privately take on board justified criticism and learn lessons from any mistakes made. But, as the phrase goes, I’m not holding my breath.
All that said, let’s end on a positive note. While watching the performance of other countries, we can also learn from their successes as well as their mistakes.
For example, here’s an uplifting story about a dogged health minister in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Her name is KK Shailaja, otherwise known as the Coronavirus Slayer. She’s acquired the nickname because of her early and painstaking preparations to ward off the worst effects of the disease.
The interview was carried out by Laura Spinney, who has written an engrossing book called Pale Rider about the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918. But that’s another story!
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