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Thomas Nguyen is too used to working remotely and does not pay much attention to the Covid-19 statistics that cause concern in the media.
“My life from March until now is still the same, working online, limiting going to the street and meeting people, wearing a mask, using water to disinfect hands, keeping a distance of 2 meters,” said Thomas Nguyen, a native . 30-year-old Vietnamese who works in the securities industry in Boston, Massachusetts, shared VnExpress.
He said that almost a year after the Covid-19 outbreak in the United States, everyone was aware of the epidemic, had been instructed to avoid it, and more or less had the mentality of “living with floods.” For those who do not wear masks, he believes that it is the freedom of each individual and cannot be forced.
Nurse treating the Covid-19 patient at UMass Hospital, Worcester, Massachusetts, on December 4. Image: AFP.
The United States remains the world’s largest epidemic area with more than 15 million cases of nCoV infection, of which nearly 289,000 deaths. Last week, the number of infections and deaths in 24 consecutive hours was a record, with a statistic of 2/12 out of more than 2,800 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. In November, more than 37,000 people in the US died from Covid-19.
However, when asked about these statistics, Thomas showed little concern.
“I don’t understand where they got those numbers from. The American media is under the control of the Democrats, so whatever number they want, they just give that number, “said the Vietnam-born Republican and President Donald Trump. Many deaths are not related to Covid-19 but are included in the “.
Thomas said some of his friends used to have VOCs, but all had symptoms like the common cold, stay home and take medications as directed by the doctor and take a week off to recover. Particularly for their parents, those over 60 in the high-risk group, are more cautious.
“We only go to the supermarket once in a while, we buy food stored for long periods of time. All merchandise is ordered online and mostly sanitized upon receipt. Thanksgiving and Christmas this year we don’t go out to have fun. Play and celebrate. like every year, but that’s not a big deal.
According to a survey conducted last month by Deloitte, 74% of respondents said they plan to shop online on Thanksgiving (this rate last year was 62%). 57% of respondents would avoid in-store purchases (compared to 42% in 2019). Thanksgiving, the number of people this year traveled only half of last year, but still more than 6 million Americans traveled by air this big week, despite the recommendation of health officials.
The director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Robert Redfield, warns that the United States is facing a “harsh” winter.
“The reality is that December, January and February are going to be tough times. I truly believe this will be the most difficult time in the history of public health in the country,” Redfield said.
He added that the country is starting to register 1,500 to 2,500 daily deaths from nCoV, and the total number of Americans dying from the virus could rise to nearly 450,000 in February.
However, with Ms. Phuong Doan, in Saint Louis City, Missouri, the above figures are no longer of much concern at this time.
“The disease situation has worsened in the past month, but we have been mentally prepared from the beginning. We see this as a challenge to go through sooner or later“Said Ms. Phuong.
Earlier this year, when the new epidemic broke out, she, like many others, was concerned about the risk of contracting nCoV and tired of having to balance teleworking and childcare.
“Due to having to miss school for a long time and restricting communication with friends, some children show signs of negative emotional changes, become frustrated and force us to ensure productivity at work. At home, she spends more time caring for and supporting her children, “said Phuong.” Adults themselves also have psychological problems, due to job loss, loss of income or the inability to go out to relieve stress. “
A girl passed a Covid-19 test site in New York City on December 1. Image: AFP.
After the two children returned to school in September, she and her husband almost returned to a normal life. She is relieved that at school, children are willing to sit 2 meters apart, wear masks and always have dry hand sanitizer. Sometimes your family and friends organize outdoor camps, a way to safely relieve stress and ensure relaxation.
“We have gotten used to living in the Covid-19 epidemic and we find a way to balance ourselves. The biggest concern at the moment is how to secure the money, because the epidemic can last a long time and we do not know that the economic situation is yet to come.” “We need to develop a contingency plan for the worst financial situation.”
Mr. Luong Ta, a native Vietnamese who has lived for more than 40 years in Orange County, California, agrees that the epidemic that lasted almost a year has caused many people to get “greasy” and this mentality is understandable. It is worrying that from this feeling, a part of the Vietnamese no longer fear Covid-19 and do not comply with the epidemic prevention measures recommended by health officials and authorities.
“Many Vietnamese people tell each other that Covid-19 is just flu, it’s not scary. They go to crowded restaurants without fear. They continue to meet and celebrate,” Ta said. “Even many Vietnamese who have participated in protests against the results of the US presidential elections do not wear masks or hold up banners. ‘I’d rather buy Covid-19 than accept Joe Biden’“.
Prior to expert warnings about Covid-19 as the United States entered the winter and holiday season at the end of the year, Mr. Ta and his wife strictly abide by wearing a mask, limiting outside contact if not necessary.
“My two children are studying online and Thanksgiving this year is packed every year to avoid the risk of infection,” he said.
According to Dr. Ngo Ba Dinh, who has worked at Fountain Valley Hospital in Orange County for 23 years, Vietnamese attitude towards Covid-19 is now markedly polarized. Most Vietnamese, especially the elderly, are very afraid of Covid-19 because they respect science and are aware of the danger of the epidemic that, despite the luck of survival, leaves sequelae in the muscle. it can be very big.
“However, a small part have had the opposite reaction. They still think that Covid-19 is false, just a common flu or even a hoax that Democrats exaggerate to cause harm.” damage to the prestige of President Trump, “Dinh said.
In the city of Huntingon Beach where this doctor of Vietnamese origin lives, there have been demonstrations every week against the blockade of Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom and in recent weeks there have been demonstrations against the results of the US presidential elections. .
“I have seen groups of Vietnamese sing and sing, along with a microphone, dancing and without a mask or keeping their distance. It was really dangerous,” he said. “Recently, a Vietnamese family registered up to 9 positive people for nCoV, of which the father has just died, the mother is dying.”
Doctor Dinh in protective clothing in the hospital. Image: Characters provided.
According to the University of Washington Institute for Health Measurement and Evaluation, the average number of monthly deaths in the US from Covid-19 is expected to nearly double in December, to more than 70,000, and then continue to grow. . 76,000 in January, before falling in February.
In California, before the number of infections rose to a record, Governor Newsom reordered people to stay home and warned that if they did not comply, state hospitals would be overloaded.
Currently, every day, Mr. Dinh’s hospital receives 2-4 cases of severe Covid-19 requiring respiratory support. Most mild cases are indicated at home by taking the medication as directed by the doctor over the phone. He himself has been infected with nCoV from a patient, although he carefully wore two layers of masks and two face shields. At that time, he was also hospitalized with shortness of breath, exhaustion and thankfully recovered after two weeks.
“After the campaigns and demonstrations related to the elections and especially Thanksgiving, I believe that in the next 4 weeks, the number of infections, hospitalizations and deaths from Covid-19 will increase dramatically,” Dr. Dinh speak.
He praised countries such as Vietnam and New Zealand for successfully applying simple but effective measures such as wearing a mask and maintaining a distance of 2 meters and becoming a role model against the epidemic.
“Just by wearing a 100-day mask as President-elect Joe Biden suggested, the epidemic will definitely subside,” Dinh said. “Wearing a mask does not detract from personal freedom or display political opinions.. Wearing a mask is respecting science, protecting yourself, and protecting those around you. I urge everyone to think about the common good, help reduce the burden on the health system and contribute to the fight against the epidemic. Don’t pay a high price for your own selfishness.
Viet Pham, a restaurant owner in Fountain Valley City, urged Vietnamese in America to come together during this difficult period. His restaurant was closed due to the pandemic, has reopened a few months ago and is only sold outdoors with strict anti-epidemic measures. Revenues fell 70% and he now faces the next state government shutdown.
“The pandemic affects everyone. Everyone is anxious, desperate, depressed. People doing business like us are more precarious. But we must unite to overcome the challenges,” he said. talk.
To encourage everyone’s spirit, every Sunday, Mr. Viet and his associates organize free to-go boxes, which include Vietnamese dishes such as rice with grilled ribs, roasted chicken rice, and fried noodles. , fried rice rolls.
The program started in mid-March and continues today with more than 25,000 meals distributed to seniors, students, the homeless, the disabled …
“We have to lead by example and hope everyone agrees. Together, we will go through this time of crisis,” he said.
Mr. Ngoc
