COVID-19

“Vietnamese collectivism during challenging time inspires foreigner”

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , ,

Photo courtesy of Hanoi Times Follow this link to read some reflections about COVID-19 in an essay I wrote last July at the request of Hanoi Times. Here are two excerpts to whet your appetite for more - or not. One of the traits of the Vietnamese people that inspires me is their optimism during … Continue reading “Vietnamese collectivism during challenging time inspires foreigner”

Social Solidarity During a Global Pandemic

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , ,

Dear Fellow US Americans, Here's an excerpt from a 9-20 article I wrote entitled Balancing Solidarity & Individualism in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond: a View from Vietnam: In contrast, the US, led by an incompetent, cruel, and narcissistic leader who politicized a public health issue and essentially did nothing, hoping and saying repeatedly that COVID-19 would … Continue reading Social Solidarity During a Global Pandemic

The Trumpy Mindset: A COVID-19-Related Example

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , , ,

I recently noticed this exchange on Facebook about the above graphic. (Yes, it's old news. JPMorgan expects US GDP to slow to 2.8% in the fourth quarter and then shrink by 1% during the first three months of 2021.) Comment: The country that started the pandemic has the least effect on GDP. Mmmmh… Response: Sad … Continue reading The Trumpy Mindset: A COVID-19-Related Example

More Economic Signs of the COVID-19 Time

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , ,

As seen on a recent evening in downtown HCMC (Saigon): buildings for rent and sale. The Vietnamese government recently reported that the country could lose $23 billion in tourism revenue this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, or about 75% of last year’s industry revenue. Viet Nam suspended the entry of all foreigners from 22 … Continue reading More Economic Signs of the COVID-19 Time

USA Not “Rounding The Final Turn” with COVID-19

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Updates , , ,

This is what the COVID-19 situation looked like on Election Day, 3 November, in the US. Note the 14-day increase in number of new infections and deaths. Also note that most of the states where cases per capita are the highest are red states. Rounding the final turn (or some variation on that theme) is … Continue reading USA Not “Rounding The Final Turn” with COVID-19

“Vietnamese Community Suddenly Soars at DePauw University”

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , , , ,

The Vietnamese community at DePauw University Fall 2019. Photo contributed by Linh Lam (Courtesy of The DePauw) For the first time in DePauw’s history, the Class of 2024 Convocation had a Vietnamese translator. In addition to this, DePauw published its international brochure in Vietnamese, and both of the co-presidents of the International Student Association are … Continue reading “Vietnamese Community Suddenly Soars at DePauw University”

USA is #1 in Number of COVID-19 Infections & Deaths

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Updates , , , ,

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 … Continue reading USA is #1 in Number of COVID-19 Infections & Deaths

“Vietnam’s Economic Hopes Fade as COVID-19 Takes Away Business”

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , , , , ,

A flower vendor wearing a face mask to protect against the coronavirus waits for customers in Hanoi, Vietnam, Monday, Aug. 3, 2020. Vietnam has tightened travel and social restrictions after the country's death toll of COVID-19 to six. (AP Photo/Hau via VOA) This 4 October Voice of America article is a textbook example of propaganda … Continue reading “Vietnam’s Economic Hopes Fade as COVID-19 Takes Away Business”