Featured Refresh
Text & Image
How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
The image is from the Government of Bermuda Facebook page today. I am extremely lucky to be here. Today I went in to the town of Hamilton, the capital and only city on the island. I had to see an ophthalmologist this afternoon and after my eye doctor appointment I went into the local department store and got some carry out for lunch. I sat down at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, and looked out over the bay. Then I walked the 2 miles back home through the Botanical Gardens. Everyone i town wore masks. All the businesses require you to use hand sanitizer upon entering, and signs tell you to keep your distance. Bam in November the numbers were high here....over 200 active cases and the minister of health said last night she felt that they almost lost control of the virus. But now the numbers are down. They still require masks in stores, or where you can't socially distance, there is a curfew...can't be out after midnight. Indoor bars are not open. I still continue to be very careful and keep my social circle very small.
February 7, 2021
Text Only
How do you think the pandemic has affected the way people around the world see the U.S.?
Absolutely. I read that many nations and people who use to look up to the U.S., especially in terms of scientific and medical leadership no longer feel that we are worthy of emulation or even respect because we have so screwed up our national response to the pandemic. Yes, we did well in developing the vaccine, but we failed as a nation to protect each other, to act in concert and with respect to stem the spread of the virus. The polarization and fighting over masks and social distancing and now over vaccinations repel people. Our reactions and even policies especially some state policies to the pandemic are a deterrent to people who have choices about going abroad to study or work. We are not their first choice, and we will suffer from this. This trend had begun prior to the pandemic but our behavior in the last 18 months has exacerbated the movement away from the U.S. as a desirable place to live or work.
October 26, 2021