A vacuum of leadership as the virus rises again
In a time of crisis, good leadership is often what makes the difference between success and failure. It is characterised by, among others, clear direction, solid coordination, promotion of trust and the bearing of responsibility.
Those qualities appear to have been largely missing for the last couple of weeks, ever since the coronavirus started its resurgence.
Yesterday’s press conference by the prime minister and health minister was a belated attempt at reasserting some leadership, which had shown signs of becoming increasingly dysfunctional.
Still, it was marked by Robert Abela’s adamant refusal to take any responsibility whatsoever for the sharp rise in COVID-19 cases, which the Malta Association of Public Health Medicine yesterday blamed squarely on “irresponsible political behaviour, disregard for scientific evidence and conflicting messages pushed by prominent personalities that led to inadequate physical distancing, infrequent and incorrect use of masks and disregard of public health recommendations”.
Pictures speak even louder than words. The MCESD meeting called on Thursday evening was intended to promote a consensus on new measures to control the fresh outbreak. But...