Arguing within this framework of toxic masculinity etc. to me just seems pointless. The sooner we are able to leave it behind and talk about how specific reactions helped or didn’t, the better.

Who cares if it was a woman or a man?

I’m just frustrated to see a lack of real research but then a clear conclusion.

If you add just a few things like:

Some countries, such as xyz seemed to have handled the crisis averagely with a man in charge. Other factors such as political systems, geographic position in relation to italy may have influenced the political leaders decision making in addition to their predispositions.

Then I’d take your original point much more serious.

Otherwise I focus too much that you try to fit the information to a narrative.