Vietnam: A Case of Success?
Whether you like it or not, the Vietnam case is quite interesting. Of the 210 nations battling the virus, the country stands among the lowest for contamination, 268 cases in mid April. With 95 million people, Vietnam ranks alongside midget nations like Malta 399 cases, Mayotte 217 cases, Martinique 158 cases and Guadeloupe 145 cases..., places usually people dream about for vacations. And for a breaking news: Vietnam got its first death today April 15th! Assuming that the data were not cooked, could we consider Vietnam a success story? Let's take a look.
How unusual a developing nation with a poor infrastructure and inadequate health system could beat the odds and be among the leaders against this virus? It is even more startling when you see its location next to the epicenter of the outbreak. My first thought when the virus outbreak occurred was that pơor Vietnam will be the guinea pig for this China pandemic experiment. If president Trump is blaming China for lying and spreading the disease, how about the Vietnamese who are historically suspicious and not enamored of their 1.5 billion neighbors?
A little digression first. By observing social phenomenons, I noticed that there is a 'paradoxical convergence' effect. Let me explain. Years ago, I had an argument with one of my sisters who disavowed the Catholic religion and challenged me to prove that God really exists. I responded and raised to her a question which summed up my belief: ' If [emperor] Nero was asked about the possibility Jesus and his followers would one day occupy Rome (Vatican) and use ìt as the capital for their religion. What would be the chance? One in a zillion? Could a sect on the run with its leader banished and prosecuted to death could eventually occupy the very power center that has dominated the world?
What's the paradox then? An impossibility that became a reality when nobody thinks it could happen. Back to my main subject. I never imagined that Vietnam's biggest shortcomings would become its greatest assets in this case. War trauma, weak infrastructure and means, lack of political freedom and threats from an aggressive big neighbor next dơor... a bleak prospect for a country battling against a deceptive and unforgiving virus. Paradoxically, the unhealed past wounds Vietnam has carried along are the best weapons in its arsenal against this virus.
Through past sufferings from war, epidemics, hunger and social upheaval, Vietnam as a people, has acquired a high instinct for survival, and an unmatched resilience. Through their lenses, this is just another crisis to defeat. In trying times, experience is a most valuable asset. Vietnam has it and was ready to deal with this sanitary crisis from lessons of past diseases and epidemics like SARS, Avian Flu, MERS etc.
Current investigations are ongoing to confirm whether BCG (Bacille Camille-Guerin) vaccine against tuberculosis and leprosy is boosting the immune system and help treat Coronavirus patients. Ex communist countries all have mandatory CBG vaccine on people (except East Germany). Since1989, 86% of children in Vietnam are vaccinated against Tb. This may explain the low rate of contamination so far in the country.
Geographical proximity to China is also blessing. When the outbreak started in Wuhan in early January, the alarm went on for Vietnam to take swift actions by closing its borders and restricting the influx of Chinese and foreigners who were quarantined in hotels. And a strict surveillance system was put in place for locals also. A tracing network was set up whereby people suspected of carrying the virus were treated as political opponents and dealt with accordingly...
In the meantime the state propaganda machine rolled out a campaign mobilizing the public with formulas like, 'Ở nhà là yêu nước' (be a patriot and stay home) or declaring a 'Spring offensive against a new enemy'. Or a song on You Tube on how to wash your hands that became an instant success and went viral across the globe. On the trade of psychological warfare and information control, Vietnam stays at the top.
Capitalizing on its tortuous history laden with fresh unhappy memories, Vietnam used the past as a lesson for the future. It has no doubt the support of its people in this period of emergency. Personal survival takes precedent over political basic rights at this point in time, another golden opportunity for the Party and the police state to double down and suppress any opposition. The miracle for Covid-19 that's happening in Vietnam, with one death so far has been explained.
Ottawa, LN
How unusual a developing nation with a poor infrastructure and inadequate health system could beat the odds and be among the leaders against this virus? It is even more startling when you see its location next to the epicenter of the outbreak. My first thought when the virus outbreak occurred was that pơor Vietnam will be the guinea pig for this China pandemic experiment. If president Trump is blaming China for lying and spreading the disease, how about the Vietnamese who are historically suspicious and not enamored of their 1.5 billion neighbors?
A little digression first. By observing social phenomenons, I noticed that there is a 'paradoxical convergence' effect. Let me explain. Years ago, I had an argument with one of my sisters who disavowed the Catholic religion and challenged me to prove that God really exists. I responded and raised to her a question which summed up my belief: ' If [emperor] Nero was asked about the possibility Jesus and his followers would one day occupy Rome (Vatican) and use ìt as the capital for their religion. What would be the chance? One in a zillion? Could a sect on the run with its leader banished and prosecuted to death could eventually occupy the very power center that has dominated the world?
What's the paradox then? An impossibility that became a reality when nobody thinks it could happen. Back to my main subject. I never imagined that Vietnam's biggest shortcomings would become its greatest assets in this case. War trauma, weak infrastructure and means, lack of political freedom and threats from an aggressive big neighbor next dơor... a bleak prospect for a country battling against a deceptive and unforgiving virus. Paradoxically, the unhealed past wounds Vietnam has carried along are the best weapons in its arsenal against this virus.
Through past sufferings from war, epidemics, hunger and social upheaval, Vietnam as a people, has acquired a high instinct for survival, and an unmatched resilience. Through their lenses, this is just another crisis to defeat. In trying times, experience is a most valuable asset. Vietnam has it and was ready to deal with this sanitary crisis from lessons of past diseases and epidemics like SARS, Avian Flu, MERS etc.
Current investigations are ongoing to confirm whether BCG (Bacille Camille-Guerin) vaccine against tuberculosis and leprosy is boosting the immune system and help treat Coronavirus patients. Ex communist countries all have mandatory CBG vaccine on people (except East Germany). Since1989, 86% of children in Vietnam are vaccinated against Tb. This may explain the low rate of contamination so far in the country.
Geographical proximity to China is also blessing. When the outbreak started in Wuhan in early January, the alarm went on for Vietnam to take swift actions by closing its borders and restricting the influx of Chinese and foreigners who were quarantined in hotels. And a strict surveillance system was put in place for locals also. A tracing network was set up whereby people suspected of carrying the virus were treated as political opponents and dealt with accordingly...
In the meantime the state propaganda machine rolled out a campaign mobilizing the public with formulas like, 'Ở nhà là yêu nước' (be a patriot and stay home) or declaring a 'Spring offensive against a new enemy'. Or a song on You Tube on how to wash your hands that became an instant success and went viral across the globe. On the trade of psychological warfare and information control, Vietnam stays at the top.
Capitalizing on its tortuous history laden with fresh unhappy memories, Vietnam used the past as a lesson for the future. It has no doubt the support of its people in this period of emergency. Personal survival takes precedent over political basic rights at this point in time, another golden opportunity for the Party and the police state to double down and suppress any opposition. The miracle for Covid-19 that's happening in Vietnam, with one death so far has been explained.
Ottawa, LN
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