One issue that ought to be considered in this context is big-state control over UN organizations. A number of commentators have noted that the WHO waited an awfully long time before finally calling the thing a pandemic. That said, it was certainly quick to jump all over the EU member states (by wasting no time to call Europe the new epicentre of the pandemic). Recall the kid gloves approach the WHO took with China in January.

The WHO has also kept on telling states that imposing restrictions on movements through national borders was NOT the way to go, yet now we see every sensible politician in most states moving quickly to do just that. It has been exasperating to see how long it took some leaders to drop the nonsense about following the WHO line.

This has certainly been a collective failure, but some states have failed more than others. The WHO, as well, will probably come under great scrutiny when all is said and done.