key: cord-1004681-6cpw7drs
authors: Gallina, Pasquale; Ricci, Marco
title: Covid-19 health crisis management in Europe: decisive assessment is needed now
date: 2020-05-07
journal: International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.05.010
sha: 5932c13db492ac9fb9929e2d33e5e22138c8e9ed
doc_id: 1004681
cord_uid: 6cpw7drs

nan

J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f Horton 1 reported that the management of the Covid-19 outbreak by the England National Health Service (NHS) was scandalous, leading to unnecessary deaths. British citizens are now aware, free to form their own opinions.

Criticalities in crisis management have been similarly noted in Italy, where the response was untimely, leading to the collapse of Lombardy's health care system. 2 The delay and insufficiencies of other European countries 3 have been even more paradoxical since they had the Asian and Italian experiences staring them in the face.

"When this is all over, the NHS England board should resign in their entirety" wrote Horton, 1 attributing this statement to a NHS worker. Populations must now face painful ordeals and sacrifices. Leadership needs consensus to impose drastic measures; consensus, which is changeable, derives from belief in the leadership in that given moment. We expect from the scientific community decisive, authoritative and courageous assessment, like that expressed in the UK, on the conduct of the other democratic countries hit by Covid-19. A frank analysis could offer individual states tools to now reinforce faith in their governance or, in compliance with their constitutions, a path to the entrustment of public health and economic recovery to the best minds.

Similarly, critical examination of EU actions is needed in light of the Union's glaring insufficient management of the crisis. 4 There have been major differences among countries in terms of medical response to virus spread and mortality. 5 Governments continue to prioritize their own interests even if this undermines solidarity with other countries, 4 a tragic illusion of post-epidemic advantage since Covid-19 might wipe out entire political classes.

The EU should act to standardize health care among countries; numbers of critical care beds, for example, vary considerably in Europe. 6 

Offline: COVID-19 and the NHS-"a national scandal

The Italian health system and the COVID-19 challenge. Lancet Public

COVID-19 in Europe: the Italian lesson

Covid-19 exposes weaknesses in European response to outbreaks

Regulation and trust: COVID-19 mortality in 25 European countries

The variability of critical care bed numbers in Europe