azdak

IIRC there's some commonality with the east Asian countries that reacted swiftly being those with experience of SARS, thus knowing from practical experience that they didn't have time to change their minds later. They were punished previously, they're not going to risk it again, and in the case of Taiwan and South Korea also had additional political incentives to act. Whereas Johnson's entire life has been reward for the last-minute action.

Moreover it isn't just Johnson or even his cabinet like that it in the UK. Much as I lay a lot of his personality at the feet of his education, the story of British politics for the past five years in particular has been total unwillingness of political leaders to commit to clearly defined positions, while simultaneously being willing to shout very loudly how much they were sticking to something they'd made up on the back of an envelope despite it's being self-contradictory. And then there's Labour [insert entire thesis here]. We were already coming from behind on the basic culture required.

I'll have to look at what the Netherlands have been doing, they've not really crossed my path hitherto.