Opinion Today: ‘That’s ridiculous’

How America’s coronavirus response looks from abroad.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story July 27, 2020 By Adam B. Ellick Executive Producer, Opinion Video It never hurts to get an outside perspective, right? Last year, our Opinion Video team made this video, asking young Europeans to look at the American approach to everything from food to guns. Let’s just say they envy our pop culture more than our health care. The video is fun yet disheartening, especially to any proud American. When ordinary citizens from other advanced economies are aghast upon learning about our reality, it makes us realize that what we accept as normal is actually far from it. Many commenters suggested we produce a sequel, asking Americans to respond to other nations, or requesting more specific themes. So today we are publishing the Covid-19 edition, produced by Brendan Miller and Adam Westbrook. I believe Opinion Video is a powerful medium that allows us to hear from people who don’t typically write for our section. In this video, we presented young people abroad — from New Zealand to Jordan — with facts, charts, photos and videos documenting the American government’s slow and spotty response to Covid-19. New York Times A Singaporean is in disbelief to learn of the number of Americans who lost their jobs to the pandemic. His government, by comparison, subsidized up to 75 percent of citizens’ lost wages. A German woman, who could have been slapped with a hefty fine had she violated social distancing mandates, is astonished to see photos of Florida’s beach parties. A South Korean woman compares her nation’s phone booth testing sites to America’s bungling version. What does a Senegalese man feel when he sees mass graves in the States? Hopefully this video will serve as a reminder to Americans that it didn’t have to be this way, and our government’s tragically inept response to Covid-19 should never be normalized. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT     ‘That’s Ridiculous.’ How America’s Coronavirus Response Looks Abroad. From lockdowns to testing, we showed people around the world the facts and figures on how the U.S. has handled the pandemic. By Brendan Miller and Adam Westbrook Forward this newsletter to friends … … to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can sign up here. Do you have feedback? Email us at opiniontoday@nytimes.com Here’s what we’re focusing on today: Editors’ Picks The Real Reason Biden Is Winning? He’s a Man It’s a lot easier to run a cautious, inoffensive campaign when you’re not up against a culture of misogyny. By Peter Beinart Donald Trump Is the Best Ever President in the History of the Cosmos That’s no more fantastical than the rest of his re-election campaign. By Frank Bruni disability We’re 20 Percent of America, and We’re Still Invisible Disabled Americans are asking for true inclusion. 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By Beppe Severgnini The Difficulties and Delights of a Pandemic Wedding The coronavirus turned our plans upside down, but in the end, the day was perfect. By Margaret Renkl Ideas The Ghost of Margaret Sanger Planned Parenthood and the complexities of anti-racism. By Ross Douthat Colonialism Made the Modern World. Let’s Remake It. This is what real “decolonization” should look like. By Adom Getachew Medical School, Blackness and Blame While the blatant horrors of the past are gone, the ideas that fueled race-based medicine stubbornly linger. We can change. By Damon Tweedy Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT What You’re Saying letters You Say We Need a Revolution? Readers caution against radical change, though one disagrees. letters Politicians and Masks Readers criticize leaders who view mandatory mask-wearing as an infringement on rights. Also: President Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell; online voting for New York City; age and the pandemic. What’s Fair in Work and Pay: A Conversation About the Economy We Need Join Ai-jen Poo, Robert Reich and readers as they discuss how to get Americans access to good jobs and better pay, with the Times journalist David Leonhardt. R.S.V.P. for the live event Thursday, July 30, at 5 p.m. Eastern. Contact Us If you have questions about your Times account, delivery problems or other issues, visit our Help Page or contact The Times. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. David Leonhardt's newsletter is now the Opinion Today newsletter. You received this email because you signed up for David Leonhardt's newsletter or the Opinion Today newsletter from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. 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