A Painful Look at What the World Thinks of Us

[Towlie]

Europeans Say COVID-19 Revealed America as 'Fragile,' Inconsiderate

Many Europeans are asking if Americans even care about their people's own health, as they have watched in astonishment at the world's most powerful country faltering in its response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Italians, Germans and residents of other European nations that were hit the hardest by the coronavirus outbreak in February said they are disappointed, saddened and even frightened by the United States' COVID-19 response. Public health experts and everyday residents said they "always saw America as a model" for the world, but the pandemic has exposed a country with horrendous infrastructure and no coherent public health system.

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How could this happen? We need to work toward much more than a simple victory. The harder Trump falls the better start we'll have toward the long and difficult goal of regaining our reputation among the rest of the world.

[stillcool]

1. the rest of the world can wait..

I'll gratefully take a "simple victory", and count myself lucky.

[TheProle]

10. Indeed.

There is no monolithic “world” opinion of the US.

Let’s get Trump out of the White House and then we can rebuild bridges to our global neighbors in the specific and unique ways they will require.

[underpants]

2. Short article. Newsweek should have taken the time and space to explore the PROFIT element

Europeans surely are aware of the profit element in our health system. Part of that are all the different systems in play. There are different rules per who is paying. Some, like Kaiser, are one shop but most are not.

The lack of leadership is obvious. The “screw it I’m out” for political reasons and personal failings couldn’t have reasonably been expected.

The element I was completely unaware of was the dependence of hospitals on elective surgeries. As I understand it anything not immediately life threatening is considered elective. I had no idea the entire business model was based on these.

[kimbutgar]

3. Last September I was in the Canary Islands and this cab driver told me he was sorry for America

Having such a terrible man as President. it floored me that even then we were thought of being pitied. As the pandemic started getting out of control I have often thought of that cab driver.

Now we can’t even go to Europe because of the inept response of mf45.

[smirkymonkey]

4. Another way this complete travesty of a public health disaster is going to hit us is the

loss of tourist revenue. Nobody from abroad in their right minds will want to travel here and our economy is going to feel the impact of that bigly! So much for that miraculous recovery Trump is dreaming about.

[underpants]

5. Internal and external

Virginia is for lovers has been a massively successful ad program for decades. I can’t tell you how many jobs I had in Williamsburg and it was swamped with NY NJ PA families.

Virginians didn’t go to Va. Beach but people from up north and French Canadians did. A lot. Camping at Sandbridge back In the day I’m surprised I didn’t learn French.

[iluvtennis]

15. Indeed. nt

[BusyBeingBest]

6. Americans care only about the people they are related to, or friends/acquaintances.

We generally don't give a shit about people that aren't in our immediate circle. Once America permanently divided into hostile red and blue teams, we stopped caring about fellow Americans and stopped caring about the common good. We eat up human interest stories about frontline workers and families who are suffering, but that's just drama and entertainment, it's not real and it has no impact on our behavior. We're not really a country anymore, and it didn't take long to finally unravel for good.

[catchnrelease]

13. No sense of community

I've thought for some time that Americans lack a real sense of community. The ideal is the rugged individualist that can stand on their own, pull themselves up etc etc. Of course it's a generalization but I still think it pervades the American culture. These people that refuse to wear masks, keep a distance etc, all insist on their rights, even when told they are putting others at risk. They don't care what happens to others as long as they get to do what they want. I've got mine, too bad about you. Maybe I'm mistaken that other nations are not like this, or at least to the extent that the US is, but it seems like they have more coherent societies and are willing to act in the common good than we are here.

[BusyBeingBest]

17. Yep--you said it in one sentence.

Ultimately, no sense of community. Whatever glue that used to hold this loose collection of states and peoples and ideas together seems to have eroded away. Whatever else American society still stands for, it sure isn't looking out for each other.

[Andy823]

7. Yes I will be a long process

trump has cause a lot of damage at home and abroad. We have to show our allies that we are going to change things and make damn sure it never happens again.

[Mr.Bill]

8. Our reputation and standing on the world stage

will increase exponentially the moment Joe Biden is sworn in. It will further be enhanced when the Trump mob starts getting arrested and charged with crimes.

[RainCaster]

14. They have been arrested & tried. Now they must be jailed

Not pardoned

Put in a real blue collar prison for a long damn time.

They must lose all the money they made at our expense, with a triple penalty.

Not allowed to vote

Not allowed to be involved in any elections in any manner.

Not allowed to profit with a book or movie. All profits go to their victims.

[Mr.Bill]

24. Theren are many more that need to be arrested.

Trump, Don Jr., Ivanka and Kushner, Pompeo, Barr, it's a long list.

[BigmanPigman]

18. Exactly. He already has a reputation

that is a lot better than tRump's and our allies already know they can trust him and have worked with him in the past. He will save time by not having to begin to cultivate relationships with other countries, especially in Europe. He has experience and a good resume and that will enable him to go into action faster than a brand, spanking new POTUS with zero experience and credentials.

[Mr.Bill]

23. Exactly what I meant.

Thank you for wording it so perfectly.

[Mr. Ected]

9. Europeans are dealing with fascists in their midst as well

They've been able to stave them off, more or less. We, alas, have not, because we have given the reins to a minority party that also happens to want to desecrate the constitution.

So blaming the American people isn't quite fair. In this case, the majority of this country do not share these nefarious notions. Only the ruling party, the one that cheated its way into power, the one that plays like a TV show and its wind-up toy audience.

[paleotn]

11. Granted, but...

they have had anti mask protests in Germany and other EU member states. Everyone has crazies. We unfortunately have a critical mass.

[Martin Eden]

12. "How could this happen?"

Trump kakistocracy.

[BobTheSubgenius]

16. As long as Biden wins - I'll repeat that - As Long As Biden Wins,

I honestly don't think polishing America's reputation and rebuilding most alliances will be as hard as some seem to think, nor take as long.

Remember how utterly repulsed some countries andor leaders were by the end of the Bush years? Obama did an awful lot to put things right in an awfully short time. It may not be as easy this time, and, for all his great qualities, Joe is not BHO, but hopefully he will carry some of Obama's luster.

[Evolve Dammit]

19. Rest of the world is not stupid. They see the unraveling, ineptness and retreat from the world stage

[keithbvadu2]

20. Fearless leader - laughingstock

[warmfeet]

21. The world has a very good point.

Rather than being the assholes, the bullies of the world, we could work to help everyone and not just ourselves. The USA has long been arrogant, belligerent and entitled. We are following the path of many other former superpowers. The least we could do is to acknowledge our shortcomings and to demonstrate positive action for the good of the world. Our days as a "super power" are very short. We will need all the help we can get from the world in the near future. I hope we are successful, many of our lives depend on it.

[Illumination]

22. Honestly...It makes me want to cry!