Archives for March 2020

Each corner of the world has developed their own culture that may be very different and sometimes similar to adjacent nations. Some however; are extremely different though there are not far apart. For example China and India in sectors like business, leadership styles, social structure and many other areas. China and India, two very distinct countries, appear to have more distinction than similarities in some of the mentioned sectors. The dissimilarities between China and India include social and individualism vs collectivism, language, celebration, wars between the two countries and their leadership styles.

The social structure of China is very different than ours here in America and other nations. When talking about leadership and how social structure relates to China and their own structure, one would be surprised while doing business if no preparations were done prior to doing business with China. Writer Rebecca Graf who is a seasoned writer with multiple degrees in history notes, In China, the social structure is formal and hierarchical…there is no crossing into other areas…there are very few lines that socially are not allowed to be crossed. This can cause problems in business relationships if the visiting culture is unaware of it” (Graf, 2019). The Chinese do things very differently and when doing business one has to ensure to not accidently insult them. What may seem normal to a specific culture may be offensive or perceived as something different than intended. The Chinese also see individualism very different than the west world.

Americans and other countries see individualism as a gateway to become better and is pushed forward in a positive way. In china the culture is to look beyond oneself and ensure actions are not affecting others. Graf notes in her articles that, “a person from China is more prone to look at how their acts affect the whole instead of how it affects them personally. They are more willing to give up and sacrifice for the greater good” (Graf, 2019). The Chinese culture dictates one should look towards the greater good and ensure actions do not affect others or if it does it does so in a positive manner. The people of China are seen as a more tranquil and forgiving people. One could argue America’s aggressive way of doing business has gotten us to the top if China is also a leader on the world stage and not having an aggressive approach while maintaining a collectivism approach.

When we think of India we generally tend to think of the vibrant culture and food like that of the traditional clothes and ways of the Indian people. The country of India is extensive in both the languages spoken and culture. According to LiveScience.com, India is among the world’s oldest civilizations… Different regions have their own distinct cultures, languages and religion…India has 28 states and seven territories but there is no official language as a country… Indian dance, music and theater traditions span back more than 2,000 years… societies outside of Europe or North America, or societies that did not follow the European or Western way of life, were considered primitive and culturally inferior” (Zimmermann, 2017). India has a very diverse and rich culture but a group majority of others see India as primitive. On the west side of the world we do not see the advancement of this nation but the ineffectiveness of government and the poorest of people. If given the chance to learn and understand India is also a powerhouse. In areas like leadership and people development China and India may be doing a better job than its counterparts.

Leaders in China view one another very differently than we do here in America or other countries. Chinese leaders see civic duty, respect and dignity as a way of life and is the way of their concept of leadership. While others drive their business practices with the thought that time is money leaders in China see to it their decisions are well planned. Barbara Wang, an expert in cross-cultural leadership at Ashridge Executive Education mentions, “Face has a much deeper meaning in China than in the West. Many Chinese will go to great lengths either to save face or to save someone else’s face. Face is about dignity and respect, and a person’s social role. It’s not just about feelings, but a key part of what holds society together… It’s an unwritten rule in China that if someone does not trust you, they are unlikely to do business with you” (Wang, 2018). Leaders in China are not as competitive as other leaders across the globe but show more respect and dignity towards others. When both parties want to do business Chinese leaders are not looking at the negative but the deal itself. Knowing that both parties are more apt to seeing if doing business with one another is best for both parties it focuses both parties on the contract rather than what the other might be up to. This is very similar to leaders in India who are taking more care of their employees than other leading nations.

India is making great strides in treating their employees right and making huge investments on its people. Leadership in countries where others may think there was a lack of leadership is paving the way for others to follow to see long term investments. In a research project that interviewed 98 of the largest Indian-based companies found a very common trend. In an article posted by the Harvard Business Review the authors noted, Indian leaders invest in people. Far more than their Western counterparts, these leaders and their organizations take a long-term, internally focused view. They work to create a sense of social mission that is served when the business succeeds. They make aggressive investments in employee development, despite tight labor markets and widespread job-hopping. And they strive for a high level of employee engagement and openness (Capelli et al., 2010). Leaders in India are invest far more than other leaders in other countries. They see their workforce as a gateway to profitability in the long run not the immediate future like most leaders do. There is not much worry about labor costs and other controllables when it comes to investing in its people.

Though there are what seems more differences between India and China business practices in these two countries have a different approach than that of other nations. These practices are viewed and practiced by all and has strong roots in their culture. If this way of doing business was adopted by companies here in the US it would not have the same effect since business practices here are different and our own culture and society rules makes us think otherwise.

Cappelli, Peter, et al. “Leadership Lessons from India.” Harvard Business Review, 8 July 2016, hbr.org/2010/03/leadership-lessons-from-india.

Graf, Rebecca. “13 Major Cultural Differences Between China and the United States.” Owlcation, 20 Mar. 2019, owlcation.com/social-sciences/10-Major-Cultural-Differences—China-and-the-United-States.

Wang, Barbara. “Chinese Leadership: 5 Critical Differences with the West.” IEDP, 1 Jan. 2018, www.iedp.com/articles/chinese-leadership-5-critical-differences-with-the-west/.

Zimmermann, Kim Ann. “Indian Culture: Traditions and Customs of India.” LiveScience, Purch, 21 July 2017, www.livescience.com/28634-indian-culture.html.

During lesson 10, I was faced with visions of my own ethnocentric way of thinking. On the same token, I was faced with ideals that allow me to understand worldwide masculinity. Ethnocentrism is defined as “…a nearly universal syndrome of attitudes and behaviors, typically including in-group favoritism. Empirical evidence suggests that a predisposition to favor in-groups can be easily triggered by even arbitrary group distinctions and that preferential cooperation within groups occurs even when it is individually costly” (Hammond & Axelrod). In the US, it is understood that classist and sexist policies are in place to continue a system in which marginalized individuals and women are less receptive of benefits while those profiting from these inequities are, largely, wealthy white men. That stated, the in group idea of America sustains that despite these inequities, women are still provided with more opportunities than in other developed countries. Looking at data provided in the lesson, masculinity in global business continues to prevail and includes that of America. While the fallacy of opportunity and equity for women exists in the USA, it is clear that problems continue to exist, worldwide, regarding the pervasive power of masculinity and male dominance in business.

“As Michael Kimmel (1997) points out, masculinity is almost invariably invisible in shaping social relations, its ever-present specificity and significance shrouded in its constitution as the universal, the axiomatic, the neutral. Masculinity, he notes, assumes the banality of the unstated norm—not requiring comment…” (1997) The idea of masculinity in global business connections is something that I did not fully consider, until chapter 10. As Kimmel has stated, the idea of global masculinity in business is so pervasive that we don’t even notice it’s there because it is the global standard. This not only gives me cues in which to conduct business but also gives me inspiration to create new business methodologies, leaving less gap between masculine and feminine figures in the global business world.

In the lesson, we learn from the graphs that Chinese and Indian business are on the same wavelength when it comes to diverting to “masculine traits.” Generally on the higher side, in terms of a global perspective, the masculine traits found within the cultures are within similar range to others (Penn State WC, 2020). This tells me a few things: First, traits such as assertiveness and competitiveness are viewed as masculine traits, which, is problematic and second that these traits are upheld as standard business practices. As a woman, understanding that business must be done within these parameters for any type of global connection, is intimidating because there is predominant bias before going into business for a large corporation. Not only must women adhere to the ideals set forth in masculinity but also must overcome the marginalization and bias, therefore, working doubly hard to complete the same type of work.

As these are not new statements nor new theories, it is understood that masculinity is the dominating norm within society. As a teacher of a non gendered curriculum, it’s more apparent to me when remembering that the global business world continues to uphold gender bias. There are no such thing as masculine or feminine traits, there is, however, such thing as masculine and feminine socialization. It’s a case of nurture vs nature and I see this all the time in younger children that I teach. Prior to reaching an age of being fully socially bias, children will explore many genders, identities and forms in order to discover their place within the world. By upholding a non gendered curriculum, I am creating a generation that will not have to adhere to strange sets of societal standards in order to be able to connect with fortune 500 companies and corporations. Assertive will no longer be a masculine trait, it will be a trait that comes from one’s own motivation.

References

Bederman, Gail, and Michael Kimmel. “Manhood in America: A Cultural History.” Contemporary Sociology, vol. 26, no. 1, 1997, p. 20., doi:10.2307/2076574.

Hammond, Ross A., and Robert Axelrod. “The Evolution of Ethnocentrism.” Journal of Conflict Resolution, vol. 50, no. 6, 2006, pp. 926–936., doi:10.1177/0022002706293470.

Pennsylvania State University World Campus (2020). OLEAD 410 Lesson 10: Asia: Focus on China and India. Retrieved from https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2041071/modules/items/27977873

As we find ourselves in what medical professionals believe to be the peak of the COVID-19 Outbreak, many Americans continue to push the boundaries of what local and state government are asking of us to help prevent the spread of the virus. Initially, our local and state government in California asked that all citizens stay home unless there was a need to provide for their family; food, healthcare, or another essential for their survival. With many Californians and Americans alike, many believed this time to be appropriate to be social, or experience an extended Spring Break, especially among younger demographics who were not believed to be threatened by the virus.

For example, one Spring Break-er was caught on camera on a beach in Florida on March 17th, 2020. He said “If I get corona, I get corona. I’m not going to let it stop me from partying.” (Lewis, 2020). This type of selfish, indulgent behavior to serve one’s personal needs at the expense of the many with high susceptibility to contracting the virus is an example of those who could not follow the rules from state and local government.

In California, the weather allows for year-round opportunity to surf, play volleyball, and experience other outdoor activities. In an area that is more conducive to year-round exercise, Californians rely on being able to go outside and be active. Unfortunately, many of those activities encourage groups of people to get together to participate. Here in Santa Barbara, man people continued to play their daily beach volleyball, tennis, and pickle ball games with their close friends. Within two days after Governor Newsom’s “Shelter in Place” order, the City of Santa Barbara had removed all public beach volleyball nets or locked tennis and pickle ball courts, barring the public from use. While Santa Barbarians can still take walks on the beaches or enjoy hiking trails while social distancing, LA County took things one step further. According to the City of Santa Monica, all public beaches in LA County are now closed until at least April 20th, in order to limit group activity and the spread of COVID-19.

Even with these initiatives from local and state government, Americans still attempt to engage their freedom to indulge in activities they have been offered in times of safety. Yet, without understanding they are at risk, their behavior is putting themselves and any other person they come in contact with at risk of contracting the virus.

In Hofstede’s Six Dimensions of National Culture, his last dimension is Indulgence. He defines Indulgence as “the good things in life.” (Hofstede, n.d). On his map, the United States is one of the areas that is rated the highest in indulgent behavior as a culture. In countries where COVID-19 has wrecked the most havoc, Italy and China, Hofstede had both rated lowest in indulgent behavior. While the three countries being compared have different demographics in terms of age and common health issues, my concern is the United States and it’s high rate of indulgent behavior. Will we as a nation, in a time of uncertainty and health crisis, be able to curb our desire to exercise our freedom to benefit the greater population? Or will the US become the incubator for COVID-19, and experience the most deaths as a country being hit by the virus?

References:

Stephanie Carbonneau
OLEAD410 Blog Entry #3

For our third blog entry, I will be comparing Mexico and the United States relation to individualism and how these cultural outlooks could impact the global pandemic, Covid-19. Americans in general tend to follow an individualistic culture while Mexico, scoring 30 compared to the world average, tends to follow a collectivist culture. Currently, we are all working our way through the worldwide pandemic of Covid-19. Many people are choosing to, or being required to work from home for the time being. How can different culture types affect this? In my opinion, individualistic countries/ people will not have as much of an issue with self-isolating and working from home, because their work is mostly centered around individual contributor roles. What I mean by this, is that even though they may work collaboratively with their team, they often times are capable of working alone, so being home may not have as big of an impact. Collectivist countries, such as Mexico, may have a more difficult with these types of working restrictions. Mexico currently is on the lower end of Covid-19 cases, 585 total cases as of March 27, but that number is expected to rise. Even with the lower number, many people are staying home and many employers are requiring their staff not go into work if at all possible. We learned in lesson 9 that due to their collectivist cultured “Mexicans tend to prefer to work in groups for the benefit of everyone rather than for each person to make his or her way.” (PSU L9, 2020)

The United States is quickly coming to be the leading country of Covid-19 cases and many Americans are working from home and many have been home for weeks now. Of course each entity in the U.S has their difficulties switching such a large number of employees to remote work, but overall the transition was extremely quick and essentially seamless. Within a week millions of people were at home, working individually. How are they handling this? Some people prefer of course to work in a group setting, but with an overall individualistic culture, I think many Americans are finding it fairly easy to do their role remotely. Not only do Americans tend to prefer to work individually, but our system for praise is centered around individualistic ideas as well. Employees are often praised for good work they have done on their own, and even when the work is completed in a group setting, rewards such as raises or bonuses are all given individually. I think that the fact that we have such a strong individualistic culture is definitely a contributing factor for our Country to operate to the best of its ability in a world where we now are not able to actually go into our workplace.

Pennsylvania State University. (2020). Leadership in a global context – OLEAD 410. Lesson 9:Central America and Mexico, Penn State World Campus. Retrieved from: https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2041071/modules/items/27977868

Mexico has been the center of one of the most polarizing political topics in its northern neighbor the United States of America, illegal immigration. Right wingers believe this is a major problem that is hurting the USA. They see undocumneted immigrants as people who’ve come to steal jobs, commit crimes, and take advantage of this country and think the solution is to build a wall between us. Left wingers look at the desperate situations people are in that make them decide to come to this country illegally. They also point how this nation was built by immigrants and overall take a compassionate approach. In this week’s lesson we looked at how Mexico compared to the rest of the world on Hofstede’s 6 Cultural Dimensions scale, which analyzes 6 core issues that a society needs to get in order to be a well organized nation  (Geert, Gert Jan n.d.). The issues are power distance To really see how Mexicans fit in with the fabric of the U.S. I will compare and contrast them to the United States. 

I will start with Mexico. The first dimension I will go over is  power distance “the extent to which the less powerful members of organizations and institutions (like the family) accept and expect that power is distributed unequally” (Geert, Gert Jan, n.d.). The average score of a country in this dimension is 59.31. Mexico has an above average score of 80 so Mexicans do not tend to be the most egalitarian people in terms of wealth and influence (Olead 410). The second dimension is uncertainty avoidance “society’s tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity” (Geert, Gert Jan n.d.). The average score is 67.64. Mexico is at 82. Although that is within the standard deviation of 22.99 it still shows a high credence to rules and a belief that there is one “right way” of doing things (Olead 410). The third dimension is individualism “the extent to which people feel independent, as opposed to being interdependent as members of larger wholes”(Geert, Gert Jan n.d.). The world average score is 45.17, Mexico’s is 30 while it is a little below average, it is aligned with most of the world which prefers to work in groups for the benefit of everyone and not just focus on themselves (Olead 410, n.d.). The fourth dimension is masculinity “the extent to which the use of force in endorsed socially” (Geert, Gert Jan n.d.).The average score here is 49.53. Mexico’s score is 69 which is very above average. This means that compared to the rest of the world they strongly  adhere to traditional gender roles, such as, men mostly being in leadership positions (Olead 410, n.d.). The fifth dimension is long-term orientation, which is how countries handle change (Geert, Gert Jan n.d.). The average score is 45.48. Mexico has a score of 24. With a standard deviation of 24.23 this nation is barely in the average range. It means that Mexicans aren’t the most forward thinking people. That’s not to say they don’t have long term goals but will more likely focus on a series of short term ones first rather than make a long term plan (Olead 410, n.d.). The final dimension is indulgence, “the good things in life” (Geert, Gert Jan n.d.). The average score is 45.42. Mexico scores way above with 97. Celebrations, such as, fiestas and quinceaneras are a major part of their culture. 

Now we will look at the United States. Our power distance score is 40 (Hofstede Insights, n.d.). With a standard deviation of 21.25 we are barely average l, which makes sense because as a capitalistic society people with money have often been put of a pedestal but now the wealth disparity is being challenged. Our uncertainty avoidance score is 46 (Hofstede Insights, n.d.). Once again, we are barely average so while we are not a country afraid to challenge the rules and who is in charge there is still a strong perception of the “right way”. Leftists do it by opposing capitalism and historically problematic aspects of our country. Right wingers do it challenging the idea of big government, however they still strongly believe in our capitalist system and don’t think it should be changed. Also, they tend to have a narrow minded idea of what it means to be American. Our individualism score is 91 (Hofstede Insights, n.d.). Not surprising that we scored way above average here. As the self proclaimed “Land of the Free” we take our individualism seriously. We are 62 on the masculinity scale (Hofstede Insights, n.d.). This is in the average range. We are a patriarchal society but things are improving. We scored 26 for long-term orientation (Hofstede Insights, n.d.). Like Mexico we are more prone to monumentalism (Hofstede Insights, n.d.). Finally the USA has an indulgence score of 68. The average is 45.42 with a standard deviation of 22.29 so we have an okay balance of indulgence and restraint 

Xenophobia is caused by the fear that people from another country will ruin or change everything but Hofstede’s is one but a strong example of why undocumented immigrants aren’t the leeches on society that some people try to make them our to be. The USA and Mexico are almost identical in their masculinity and long-term orientation scores showing that our cultures have similar organizational structures. Although our scores in power distance, individualism and uncertainty avoidance are very difference it does show that Mexican people are more likely to follow the rules of our nation and aim for harmony, not invade it the way some people think. Adhering to capitalism which actually fit right along with the values of conservatives who are critical of them. Hofstede’s dimensions  Doesn’t explain everything but certainly show the different layers and intersections of society that people overlook. 

Reference

• Country Comparison (n.d.) Hofstede Insights retrieved from https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/mexico,the-usa/

• Hofstede,Geert; Hofstede, Gert Jan (n.d.) https://geerthofstede.com/research-and-vsm/vsm-2013/
• Olead 410 (n.d.) Pennsylvania State University retrieved from www.canvas.psu.edu 

For years, China has been known as the earth’s factory. Growing up in the late 90s early 2000s I mostly knew China because most of my clothes and favorite electronics had tags or labels that said: “Made in China”. Today, the China that I know, has a completely different face and a different position in the world as a powerful nation. It has the world’s largest army, the world’s largest population, and the world’s second-largest economy according to Nasdaq. If you asked anyone 40-50 years if they could have foreseen China’s place in today’s global power players most people would not be able to predict this change. That is mainly because just 40 years ago, China was considered to be a nation in poverty. More than 88 percent of the population was in poverty in comparison to less than one percent today according to the World Bank.

Part of what makes the US the current superpower is its military strength and presence in the world which gives it a huge voice in the most significant global political issues. As an African, I have begun to see the Chinese military and economic presence overtake that of the United States. For a long time, giving financial and humanitarian aid to emerging economies has been a way that many powerful countries use to gain political support and diplomacy globally. In the United Nations assembly, it is much easier to guarantee the vote of a poor country if they are in debt to you and the number of African countries in debt to China only grows with time. In 2018 alone China pledged $60billion to Africa (Quartz, 2018). If the African continent with a population of 1.1 billion (World Bank, 2018) acknowledges China’s presence as the global leader then they are on track to be.

China has been known as more of a selling country than a buying one but this is starting to change. Years ago when multinational companies looked to China it was only for their cheap production labor. For many years manufacturing goods in China was the primary way to cut down on costs for many companies that made the world’s favorite products. Some examples are Apple, Nike, Levi, New Balance and hundreds of others. Because of the way China’s economy grew over the years, the standard of life has drastically improved and the people have started to seek after the luxury goods that they once sold to the world. Hollywood studios now look to China to help break even on their movie releases. Tech companies like Apple, Facebook, and Google spend months trying to adjust their privacy policies to adhere to the demands of the Chinese govt to stay in that market (Sheehan, 2018). China is not a seller anymore, it’s also a buyer that is quickly becoming America’s biggest market.

To become a superpower, the world needs to embrace your culture, your language and your way of life. Economic domination has to come along with all of these influences. “For millennia, the Chinese have always held themselves in high esteem. The name of their ancient country translates as “center of the world”—their image of themselves, their country, and culture has long been viewed as the center of human civilization. For past centuries, they expected that all other people and nations would pay tribute to the Chinese and their unique culture…” (Moran et al, 2011). This culture spread goes beyond the “Made in China” tags that I saw everywhere growing up. Now, whenever I walk through an African building donated or built by the Chinese, I see writings of Mandarin everywhere; in the elevator, at the front desk, at the local airport’s terminal entrance. Everywhere I see reminders of the ever-growing presence of the emerging superpower that is China.

References

Poverty headcount ratio at $1.90 a day (2011 PPP) (% of population) | Data. data.worldbank.org. Retrieved June 1, 2019.

Population, total – Sub-Saharan Africa (2011 PPP) (% of population) | Data. data.worldbank.org. Retrieved June 1, 2019.

Harris, P. R., Moran, R. T., & Moran, S. V. (2011). Managing cultural differences. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann.

Dahir, A. L. (2018). Chinese lending to African countries jumped tenfold in the last five years. Retrieved from https://qz.com/africa/1463948/chinese-lending-to-african-countries-jumped-tenfold-in-the-last-five-years/

Sheehan, M. (2018).How Google took on China—and lost. Retrieved from https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612601/how-google-took-on-china-and-lost/

Bajpai, P. (2020). The 5 Largest Economies In The World And Their Growth In 2020. Retrieved from https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/the-5-largest-economies-in-the-world-and-their-growth-in-2020-2020-01-22

The U.S. and China are two of the largest trading partners in the world.  Both of these countries are vying to cement their influence in Latin American countries, each one implicating the other in being a bad influence for Latin American countries.  Venezuela and Brazil, along with a few other Latin countries have severed ties with the United States and instead decided to partner with the Chinese government.  These countries feel that while partnered with the U.S. their economies were stagnant or even worse than before.  The Chinese government has set up loans and land leases to these countries which at the onset, seem wonderful opportunities to help these economies grow, but which are predatory at best.  The U.S. has attempted to point these deals out to the Latin countries, but America’s track record of predatory deals precedes them.  China is setting up communications facilities and spaces that will facilitate greater access to space.  The U.S. does not agree with this under the guise that the Chinese government Is very secretive with their plans for these locations and due to the fact that the Chinese government spies on and controls the media which is exchanged in their country, and now has the ability to do so in these Latin countries.  In reality, the U.S. is afraid that China will have better access to spy on the U.S. and will have a greater real estate in space exploration.  The U.S. and China have their own best interests in mind when “helping” these Latin countries.  Instead of helping these countries stand on their own and establish themselves in the world they want to assert their own global dominance in these countries.  In the end, as predatory as these countries are, the alternative, Russia, does not seem like it would be any better.

References:

Moran, R. T., Abramson, N. R., & Moran, S. V. (2014). Managing Cultural Differences (9th ed.). New York: Routledge.

Woody, C. (2019). 4 ways China is gaining ground in Latin America, according to the US’s top military commander in the region.  Business Insider. retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/southcom-4-ways-china-is-growing-influence-in-latin-america-2019-12

As we seem to be in the limelight of this pandemic currently, it’s kind of mind boggling to think of how and why we got to this point. We had all the warning signs. Most importantly, we had the opportunity to watch other countries go through it before us. We watched as their infectious rates went up, followed by their death counts. We also got to see how they fought against it and although it seems a bit too early, we got to see China begin to win.

Our own first world country is now struggling to fight off this corona virus and it’s apparent that our own leaderships blatant disregard for our safety is to blame. I could write papers and papers about how our president is the number one suspect of showcasing ethnocentric behavior front and center. However, instead of putting my personal bias in the way, I would rather talk about Mexico and how they somehow are following in out footsteps.

Mexico for some odd reason has also decided that this virus is not a real threat. Their own president is quoted saying, “Live life as usual” in a video uploaded to Facebook on March 22, as well as, ““If you’re able and have the means to do so, continue taking your family out to eat … because that strengthens the economy” (Ward). Not only has our president said things scarily similar but it seems the trend is that our economy comes first, and the people second.

I am merely 28 years old and in good health, so if I contract the virus, I have a great chance at fighting it off. My concern is for my parents, specifically my father who is turning 79 this year. I live across the country from him as he is in Michigan and I’m in Idaho. My brother on the other hand is currently living with him and thankfully his work is allowing him to stay at home. My biggest fear is that he contracts it and I won’t be able to even visit. It’s a real shame that so many of our leaders worldwide such as our own in the United States, Mexico, and even Brazil are not taking preventative measures and would rather a fire start to put it out, so to speak. I’m grateful that my family has not been directly impacted and I hope that any of you who are will be able to pull through.

Reference:

Ward, Alex. “Mexico Could Become The New Italy Of Coronavirus — Or Worse”. Vox, 2020, https://www.vox.com/2020/3/26/21193823/coronavirus-mexico-andres-manuel-lopez-obrador-health-care.

In Brazil, the head of state and head of government are the same person: Jair Bolsonaro. Similar to Trump in the U.S., Bolsonaro did not take the outbreak serious in the slightest. Both men perceived early COVID-19 stories as a tool being used mostly against them, as political talking points, rather than a media’s sincere concern over what’s to come. Seemingly, it may be the reason why both men felt their country was safe from the new virus. More recently, Trump as been taking this more seriously. As for Bolsonaro, he spoke to the nation and stated that he is unafraid of catching the disease. If he did, he said, it would just be a “little cold” and he’d be fine. The message immediately became: Bolsonaro calls COVID-19 a “little cold”. (Rapoza, 2020) He has outraged many Brazilians by downplaying the virus, as he initially describes as a “fantasy,” and joining a crowd of supporters and shaking handshakes and taking selfies earlier this month, at a time he was supposed to be in isolation. Brazilians have begun protesting against him at night, by drumming pots and pans from their windows at agreed times.

Now, less than a month after the coronavirus arrived, with the country reporting more than 1,000 cases and double-digit deaths, the president is still struggling to adopt an air of urgency. As a consequence, the political establishment seems to be taking steps to isolate Bolsonaro. “We will vote on the issues that Brazil needs not because of the president, but despite the president,” said Sen. Sergio Olimpio, a Bolsonaro ally who has grown estranged from the president in recent months. (Andreoni, 2020)

Brazil’s economy still has not recovered from a recession in 2015 to 2016, and the country cannot survive a sustained stoppage. In the endeavor to contain the crisis, Bolsonaro’s government announced a $30 billion package of financial measures and closing almost all of Brazil’s land borders to visitors. Still, Bolsonaro is holding back on more rigorous measures, saying that he fears Brazil would turn into Venezuela if its economy comes to halt. He continues to criticize Brazil’s state governors for taking “extreme measures”; which includes the governor of the state of Sao Paolo, home of Brazil’s largest city. He has declared a public emergency and ordered the closure of all nonessential services until the end of next month. Rio de Janeiro’s governor is pressing for still stronger measures, including canceling all international flights and domestic flights from other Brazilian states with the virus. He’s already ordered many closures, including Rio’s normally popular tourist spots and beaches. If the economy takes an extreme downturn as a result of COVID-19, Bolsonaro is likely to point fingers to blame Brazil’s governors when it comes time for reelection in 2.5 years; if he makes til then.

References:

Andreoni, M. (2020, March 22). Brazilian’s turn against Bolsonaro for government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Retreived from https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-03-22/brazilians-turn-against-bolsonaro-for-governments-handling-of-coronavirus-crisis

Rapoza, K. (2020, March 29). In Coronavirus Versus Brazil, Bolsonaro Stands Almost Alone.
Retreived from https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2020/03/29/in-coronavirus-versus-brazil-bolsonaro-stands-almost-alone/#5d132758242c