COVID perspectives from abroad

Why Have We Forgotten Vietnam So Easily?

Three failings of America in fighting invisible enemies (both then and now)

Graphic created by the author

The other day I was jogging laps around a Vietnamese park track dotted with men and women out walking together, chatting about life as they strode shoulder to shoulder.

Nearby, a group of teenagers was playing soccer on a makeshift field, small children raced around the playground on scooters, and couples sat at tables, enjoying drinks and an afternoon snack.

The park was alive with people, very few of whom seemed remotely concerned about the killer pandemic known as COVID-19.

After a brisk five laps around the track, I sat down on a bench to catch my breath. Surveying the park, I was struck by how oddly normal life seemed these days.

I was surprised to see an older man heading in my direction. In previous weeks, locals had made sure to give me a wide berth. If they didn’t have their mask up, they’d make sure to raise it as I passed. Once or twice, rowdy teenagers had even called out “Hello Corona!” as they sped by on their scooters.

But the old man stopped in front of me, smiling.

“Hello! Where are you from?” he…