It's not deflection when the point is that authoritarian regimes can outright LIE about what's happening in their countries. And you'll see their apologists everywhere in the internet with propaganda talking points. And they are inherently more corrupt and socially unstable than democratic countries. That isn't up to discussion.
Look... I've been to both Viet Nam and Germany. From one of them I remember a lot of grafitti, scam attempts and chaotic motorcycle transit. The other wouldn't have people crossing the streets if the traffic lights were red for God's sake. Anedoctal argument? Maybe. But that's still better than gobbling up everything you read because you HAVE to find a culprit for your Covid-19 anxiety somewhere.