Models can’t tell us everything about the complex systems that we are trying to understand.
Covid-19 has given everyone on the planet the same frame of reference. We have seen the emergence of a truly impressive spirit of common purpose, but we have much to learn the lessons of this crisis. We are coming to terms with how varying local standards can exacerbate global issues.
The pandemic has also demonstrated that when reacting to disruption, momentum is important; countries that instituted lockdown only after waiting to see conclusive data on their likely effects seem to have generally experienced greater economic disruption than those who that implemented response measures ahead of conclusive data. This has a bearing on our global responses to future disruption.