Pandemic politics in turbulent times

Abstract

On 20 January most of the world’s attention was turned to the inauguration of the President and the first female Vice President of the USA. However, at the same time, a different political incident took place on the other side of the world: a mass protest in the main square of the capital city of Mongolia. The demonstration was held despite bitterly cold temperatures and prompted the unexpected resignation of the government. The turmoil in Ulaanbaatar was triggered after a woman who had tested positive for COVID-19 was transferred, with her just-born child, from a maternity hospital to a quarantine facility for COVID-19 wearing only a hospital gown and slippers, in freezing weather. This brutal incident was caught live and reported on television, and ignited public outrage at the government and health sector’s callous attitude towards COVID-19 patients, who are often treated like criminals.