Tag Archives: coronavirus

Upping the Steaks

Posted on March 28, 2020 by JMN

A streak of pluckiness, or at least a commitment to persist, as well as a capacity to think deeply and grow out of the shallows — these traits peek through David Chang’s glimpse into his personal tribulations and his sober … Continue reading →

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The Ides of Texas Are Upon Ya

Posted on March 26, 2020 by JMN

[Dan] Patrick, who said he will turn 70 next week, said that he did not fear COVID-19, but feared that stay-at-home orders and economic upheaval would destroy the American way of life. No one reached out to me and said, … Continue reading →

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“Doesn’t Not” Don’t Mean “Yes”

Posted on March 25, 2020 by JMN

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has publicly corrected or qualified presidential assertions about the coronavirus threat on multiple occasions. Trump was asked why Fauci was absent from Monday’s lengthy press briefing. Trump … Continue reading →

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Living in Interesting Times

Posted on March 24, 2020 by JMN

This essay by Ai Weiwei, published in the NYTimes on January 13, 2020, was translated by Perry Link from the Chinese. (“Capitalism and ‘Culturecide’,” NYTimes). I learn here that Ai Weiwei’s father, Ai Qing, was a poet who was banished … Continue reading →

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Hugs, Not Slugs. Now Bugs!

Posted on March 24, 2020 by JMN

Hugging is the perfect symbol for Mr. López Obrador’s tropical populism. It portrays him as a warm man of the pueblo in contrast with the cold technocrats of what he calls “the mafia of power.” His slogan for trying to … Continue reading →

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Note to Self: Research This Mindset

Posted on March 18, 2020 by JMN

Britain is a rich country and may fare better than others. But the N.H.S. is creaking at the seams after years of underfunding [my bolding]. A decade of cuts by successive Conservative governments has stripped the service of resources. Staff … Continue reading →

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All Hail the Mighty State

Posted on March 12, 2020 by JMN

“Texas, our Texas, so wonderful and great…” goes the song. “Texas is one of the most prepared states for public health disasters in the U.S.” (Tweet by Governor Greg Abbott on March 9, 2020) State with highest number of people … Continue reading →

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Fake Is Free

Posted on March 1, 2020 by JMN

As my students often remind me, news tends to be behind paywalls, while fake news is free. (Laura Spinney, “Epidemics expert Jonathan Quick: ‘The worst-case scenario for coronavirus is likely,’” theguardian.com, 3-1-20) (c) 2020 JMN

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