These sketches are by Hanoi-based artist, George Burchett. iPad art, 5.4.20, © 2020 As of this writing, Viet Nam has 245 confirmed cases, 95 recovered, and 0 deaths, while the US had 336,906 confirmed cases, 17,977 recovered, and 9,624 deaths, as of yesterday. Stay Strong, Viet Nam! MAGA!
coronavirus
Return to the US? From the Food Warmer Into the Fire
The US Embassy in Hanoi recently started sending me and other US expats in Viet Nam whose email addresses happen to be on file daily updates with the subject line: Health and Travel Alert. I was struck by this "reminder" in the 3 April edition: On March 31, U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo … Continue reading Return to the US? From the Food Warmer Into the Fire
During the Covid-19 pandemic, do as the Vietnamese do
Staff spray disinfectant at a dormitory in Ho Chi Minh City for the city to use it as centralized facility to quarantine those coming to Vietnam from areas hit by Covid-19, March 18, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran. Here's my latest essay for VNExpress International. Below are a couple of introductory paragraphs to whet your … Continue reading During the Covid-19 pandemic, do as the Vietnamese do
Vietnam: An outlier in the coronavirus epidemic and HE?
Photo: iStock (MAA: Note that "South China Sea" is known as the "East Sea" in Viet Nam, for obvious geopolitical reasons.) Here's my latest essay for University World News about COVID-19 and how Viet Nam has dealt with it so far. This is a classic example of "breaking news", which means that writing about it … Continue reading Vietnam: An outlier in the coronavirus epidemic and HE?
“Jealous Coronavirus” Music Video from Vietnam Ministry of Health
On a lighthearted and entertaining note but with an important message, check out this music video/public service announcement from the Vietnam Ministry of Health, which has gone viral. It has been featured by a number of international media outlets, including NPR and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. This 4 March Straits Times article describes … Continue reading “Jealous Coronavirus” Music Video from Vietnam Ministry of Health
“Face masks made from toilet paper found in Hanoi”
Market officials inspect mask production at Viet Han Company Ltd in Thuong Tin District, Hanoi on February 13, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Chien Son. Why am I not surprised? Here's the latest example of cheating, this time in the midst of the coronavirus crisis. (Thu gần 100.000 chiếc khẩu trang làm từ giấy vệ sinh) I'm … Continue reading “Face masks made from toilet paper found in Hanoi”
COVID-19 & Viet Nam
This is a screenshot from Jealous Coronavirus, an animated music video and public service announcement from the Viet Nam Ministry of Health. Click on "CC" for English subtitles. The transcript has translations in 22 languages. It is based on Jealous, Vietnamese hit song from 2017 Update on 15.3.20 This Wikipedia article 2020 coronavirus pandemic in … Continue reading COVID-19 & Viet Nam
