Too closed for comfort

The Covid-19 pandemic raises several vital questions. Why has Sweden thus far suffered so many more deaths relative to population than Finland next door, even though the first diagnoses were made only two days apart, 29 and 31 January, in the two countries? Why has the United States thus far suffered 27 times as many deaths relative to population as South Korea, even though the first cases of contagion were diagnosed on the same day, 20 January, in both countries? And what are we to think of China?