I always thought highly of Americans, as individuals who followed the rules, who were eager to cultivate themselves. COVID has led me to rethink this.
Whenever I traveled from Mexico to the US as a kid, I would spot the differences as the plane descended. Cities that were a perfect squared grid, big highways symbolizing the economic power of the country. All of this in contrast to Mexican cities randomly drawn streets, and small highways.
As a small kid, I tried to find the reasons for such differences. I rapidly concluded that Americans were good at following the rules and cultivating themselves, and that those two things had to do with their success and Mexico’s under development,
As I stood on a corner waiting to walk to the other side of the street, I would observe that Americans waited even if there were no cars coming. In Mexico things would have been different. Pedestrians would cross the street even if there were cars coming and the light was red.
If I traveled by plane and was sitted next to an American, they would almost always be reading a book. Even if it was some best seller devoid of substantial content they had something to read.
Growing up in Mexico, it was rare people would read. I can’t remember discussing books with friends as an activity.
This is why the recent COVID vaccine fiasco is intriguing. It has definitely shattered the two assumptions I made of Americans as a kid. Or maybe not?
Americans are certainly reading or listening to theories about COVID. Unfortunately some of these theories lead people to not take the vaccine.
State governments and the federal government have urged Americans to take the vaccine. Yet many remain unvaccinated despite the enormous privilege they have to acces a vaccine at any time.
In Mexico, and the global south, many people have been waiting for months to get a vaccine. They would happily take one if they could.
The consequences of this breakdown are real. COVID cases are increasing, hospitalizations too. Maybe we will enter a new lockdown at some point? This time, the fault will be within ourselves.