The US set a new record in the number of new COVID-19 cases in one day last Friday, 30 October: 101,461 (!) & 988 deaths. In case you’re counting, that’s more infections in one day than the total number of cases in 169 out of 218 countries and territories, including China (85,940), where the coronavirus originated, and Japan (99,622).

Meanwhile, Viet Nam has 79 active cases, all imported, 35 deaths, and a total of 1,180 confirmed cases, as of today. The first two cases were reported on 23 January 2020, three days later than the US. Viet Nam rebooted its economy in April after a short nationwide shutdown. The rest, as they say, is history.

The difference between the two countries is crystal clear: incompetent vs. good governance. This includes doing all of the right things at the right time. COVID-19 containment isn’t rocket science but it DOES require a strong belief in science and rationality, along with superb implementation and a high degree of social solidarity.

Here’s hoping that US voters end Trump and his cruel, incompetent, and corrupt administration on 3 November for a long list of reasons, its abject failure to handle the COVID-19 pandemic being the most obvious and tragic one.

Shalom (שלום), MAA