When the coronavirus struck in Thailand, chefs who were desperate to remain open in the fine-dinning scene of Bangkok offered sea urchin on toast and Wagyu kastu sandwiches for delivery. One restaurant has a different tone though. Instead of offering the fancy fair others offered, chef Deepanker Khosla's kitchens are filled with hundreds of banana leaf packets with rice and vegetables spiced with ginger and turmeric. Everyday, hundreds of these packets are sent out to Bangkok residents who are out of work and out of food.
Kholsa has said that "This isn’t the time for caviar and champagne...People are struggling to survive."
While many of the lower level restaurants have been forced to close due to pandemic, high end restaurants are using their celebrity status and capabilities to provide food for those who cannot get it easily. Mr. Kholsa is known for his neo-Indian cuisine, but switched tunes upon hearing about those in need. He set up a donation page and started churning out meals for the out-of-work migrants and poor Thai population.
I don't know about you, but I find stories like this heartwarming, and this was how I wanted to close the semester. Crisis brings out the best and worst in people, and here we are seeing the best of humanity. I know of a few restaurants in my area that are doing something similar for families dealing with COVID-19 fallout, so it's nice to know this is happening in other parts of the world as well.
"This isn't the Time for Caviar:" A Chef Finds New Flavors in a Pandemic
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
India Sees Coronavirus Threat to Fragile Population: Tigers
When thinking about the coronavirus these days, it does not seem like other species could be at risk. However, since the disease allegedly transferred between species from bat to human, there is every chance of this being the case. This was found out when a tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York tested positive for coronavirus.
This news was unsettling in India, where there are 2,967 wild tigers, three quarters of the world's total remaining non-captive population. With a tiger already dead for other medical reasons, India's 50 tiger preserves were already on high alert. Upon hearing about the tiger in New York, their concern grew. Much of their concerns comes from the fragile state of India's tiger population, likely causing an overabundance in caution when protecting the species.
Now wildlife preserves with tigers have been advised to limit the amount of people allowed to enter and all tigers will be monitored for respiratory issues. So far, there have been no behavioral changes in the tigers that would indicate coronavirus, but the parks are still cautious. And even with the entire country of India on lockdown since March 24, many wildlife workers have to remain on the job.
In China, there have been tests that say the virus reproduced efficiently with domestic cats, though these theories have not been subjected to peer review. Meanwhile, it is still unclear on how the virus could affect large wild cats.
India Sees Coronavirus Threat to Fragile Population: Tigers
This news was unsettling in India, where there are 2,967 wild tigers, three quarters of the world's total remaining non-captive population. With a tiger already dead for other medical reasons, India's 50 tiger preserves were already on high alert. Upon hearing about the tiger in New York, their concern grew. Much of their concerns comes from the fragile state of India's tiger population, likely causing an overabundance in caution when protecting the species.
Now wildlife preserves with tigers have been advised to limit the amount of people allowed to enter and all tigers will be monitored for respiratory issues. So far, there have been no behavioral changes in the tigers that would indicate coronavirus, but the parks are still cautious. And even with the entire country of India on lockdown since March 24, many wildlife workers have to remain on the job.
In China, there have been tests that say the virus reproduced efficiently with domestic cats, though these theories have not been subjected to peer review. Meanwhile, it is still unclear on how the virus could affect large wild cats.
India Sees Coronavirus Threat to Fragile Population: Tigers
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
In South Korea, Virus Delivers Landslide Win to Governing Party
On Wednesday, South Korea's President Moon Jae-in and his left-leaning alliance won a historic victory in the nation's Parliament. The South Korean population proved eager to vote, as there was a 66.8% voter turnout, the highest in a parliamentary election for 28 years.
While regional loyalties and ideological differences on North Korea have been motivating factors on voters, much of the success on Jae-in's victory can be attributed to South Korea's expert handling of the coronavirus pandemic. They had started screenings in February and at one point had the second largest outbreak. At that time there were 813 new cases a day, and now it has been reduced to fewer than 40 patients per day this past week. Meanwhile, other foreign leaders, including President Trump, have called on Moon Jae-in, asking South Korea to provide test kits and or advice in handling the outbreak. All this increased President Moon Jae-in's popularity, where it had at first been struggling.
With this victory. President Jae-in hopes to reinvigorate his stalled diplomacy with North Korea and press ahead with domestic issues, like reforming state prosecutors' offices.
In South Korea Vote, Virus Delivers Landslide Win to Governing Party
While regional loyalties and ideological differences on North Korea have been motivating factors on voters, much of the success on Jae-in's victory can be attributed to South Korea's expert handling of the coronavirus pandemic. They had started screenings in February and at one point had the second largest outbreak. At that time there were 813 new cases a day, and now it has been reduced to fewer than 40 patients per day this past week. Meanwhile, other foreign leaders, including President Trump, have called on Moon Jae-in, asking South Korea to provide test kits and or advice in handling the outbreak. All this increased President Moon Jae-in's popularity, where it had at first been struggling.
With this victory. President Jae-in hopes to reinvigorate his stalled diplomacy with North Korea and press ahead with domestic issues, like reforming state prosecutors' offices.
In South Korea Vote, Virus Delivers Landslide Win to Governing Party
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
The Heroine of This Korean Best Seller is Extremely Ordinary. That's the Point
In South Korea, the novel “Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982” by Cho Nam-Joo has sparked debate since it was first published in 2016. The book chronicles the life of Kim Jiyoung, a 33 year old woman living on the outskirts of Seoul with her husband and infant daughter. She is tired of the monotony in her life and resents the fact she gave up a marketing job. There is not much excitement in her life, and that is the whole point.
Cho backs up the monotony with facts to show how ordinary life is for Kim. She references actual statistics from 2014 on the rate in which women left the workforce for more traditional family roles. Even though the book is fiction, it is based on statistics to ground some of it in fact.
When "Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982" was published, it acted as a call to arms within South Korea. It acted as a catalyst to national debate on gender equality, being endorsed by K-Pop stars and even South Korean politicians. A copy was even given to President Moon Jae-in and local governments have passed measures on areas such as childcare while promising there would be “no more sorrow for Kim Jiyoung.”
The book, in addition to more feminist literature published, exposes how South Korea, while an economically advanced nation, lag far behind in social advances. It's a first-world country, and yet there are parts of its culture that are clearly wrong.
The Heroine of This Korean Best Seller is Extremely Ordinary. That's the Point
Cho backs up the monotony with facts to show how ordinary life is for Kim. She references actual statistics from 2014 on the rate in which women left the workforce for more traditional family roles. Even though the book is fiction, it is based on statistics to ground some of it in fact.
When "Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982" was published, it acted as a call to arms within South Korea. It acted as a catalyst to national debate on gender equality, being endorsed by K-Pop stars and even South Korean politicians. A copy was even given to President Moon Jae-in and local governments have passed measures on areas such as childcare while promising there would be “no more sorrow for Kim Jiyoung.”
The book, in addition to more feminist literature published, exposes how South Korea, while an economically advanced nation, lag far behind in social advances. It's a first-world country, and yet there are parts of its culture that are clearly wrong.
The Heroine of This Korean Best Seller is Extremely Ordinary. That's the Point
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Waiving Rent and Making Masks, Afghans Meet Coronavirus With Kindness
In a country dealing with the coronavirus and a constant war with the Taliban, citizens in Afghanistan have responded to the threat of the virus to its citizens with kindness and service to others. There has been a shared sense of unity in easing the pain of this health crisis.
Landlords in some areas have been waiving rents, tailors have been handing out face masks, youth groups have been delivering food to hospitals and families in horrible conditions, televisions are broadcasting fundraisers and newspapers have championed rent reduction. Meanwhile, wedding halls and private schools have volunteered to be converted into hospitals. One city has storeowners who have set up basin and soap so people can wash their hands and another has locked down to reduce movement.
There are multiple cases of this in Afghanistan, and for me it is heartwarming that a country that has been dealing with the Taliban, poverty, and many national economic issues can have communities come together to try and fight the virus with acts of kindness versus fighting each other.
Waiving Rent and Making Masks, Afghans Meet Coronavirus With Kindness
Landlords in some areas have been waiving rents, tailors have been handing out face masks, youth groups have been delivering food to hospitals and families in horrible conditions, televisions are broadcasting fundraisers and newspapers have championed rent reduction. Meanwhile, wedding halls and private schools have volunteered to be converted into hospitals. One city has storeowners who have set up basin and soap so people can wash their hands and another has locked down to reduce movement.
There are multiple cases of this in Afghanistan, and for me it is heartwarming that a country that has been dealing with the Taliban, poverty, and many national economic issues can have communities come together to try and fight the virus with acts of kindness versus fighting each other.
Waiving Rent and Making Masks, Afghans Meet Coronavirus With Kindness
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
India, Day 1: World’s Largest Coronavirus Lockdown Begins (Yes, COVID-19 again)
I know, I know, coronavirus again. The news is sure slow and depressing these days.
However, I thought this would be interesting to talk about. India has recently joined the list of countries going into lockdown in an attempt to prevent the further spread of coronavirus. Prime Minister Modi put the 21 day lockdown order into effect while working to look for solutions, but there will be serious consequences for the country.
India is the largest democracy in the world. With 1.3 billion people and millions of those people living with barely any money and in poverty, there will be stress placed upon the economy. Mumbai, India's busiest city, is practically empty as well as restaurants and grocery stores. However, like in other countries closing businesses, grocery stores have been allowed to remain open.
In addition to all this, India is still a nation that relies predominantly on agriculture. Farmers tending fields and multiple other people are unable to work. On top of this, when people are caught driving around, they can be harassed by police officers questioning them on where they are going.
However, I thought this would be interesting to talk about. India has recently joined the list of countries going into lockdown in an attempt to prevent the further spread of coronavirus. Prime Minister Modi put the 21 day lockdown order into effect while working to look for solutions, but there will be serious consequences for the country.
India is the largest democracy in the world. With 1.3 billion people and millions of those people living with barely any money and in poverty, there will be stress placed upon the economy. Mumbai, India's busiest city, is practically empty as well as restaurants and grocery stores. However, like in other countries closing businesses, grocery stores have been allowed to remain open.
In addition to all this, India is still a nation that relies predominantly on agriculture. Farmers tending fields and multiple other people are unable to work. On top of this, when people are caught driving around, they can be harassed by police officers questioning them on where they are going.
India joins the list of many nations going into shutdown. Countries in red are completely shutdown while those in yellow are in partial shutdown (in updated map, Canada is also red).
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Coronavirus Weakens China's Powerful Propaganda Machine
As the coronavirus continues to spread, it has caused a loss of faith in the Chinese government among the youth population. People are starting to criticize the government over their handling of the virus and the spread of the coronavirus. People condemn the press around heroes of individual sacrifice while medical personnel are still lacking necessary supplies. There are photos of women shaving their heads in solidarity, but people are wondering whether they were coerced and why more men were not shown with this supposed solidarity.
There is one critical blog post titled “News Coverage Should Stop Turning a Funeral Into a Wedding,” showing the frustration among some of the population.
Daisy Zhao, a 23 year old Beijing resident, has said “The official media...has lost a lot of credibility.” She once trusted state media, but now is angry over the portrayal of the doctors who tried to raise the alarm over the coronavirus as rumormongers.
The propaganda machine of the Communist party in China is now facing its biggest problem yet. In being slow to warn the public of the virus and repressing people who tired to sound the alarm, they undermined its promise of security to the public in exchange for their personal security. This whole crisis has exposed the issues of being under an authoritarian regime, especially to the younger population. They see the danger of clamping down on free expression and past the facade of a omnipotent government that can get anything done.
Coronavirus Weakens China's Powerful Propaganda Machine
There is one critical blog post titled “News Coverage Should Stop Turning a Funeral Into a Wedding,” showing the frustration among some of the population.
Daisy Zhao, a 23 year old Beijing resident, has said “The official media...has lost a lot of credibility.” She once trusted state media, but now is angry over the portrayal of the doctors who tried to raise the alarm over the coronavirus as rumormongers.
The propaganda machine of the Communist party in China is now facing its biggest problem yet. In being slow to warn the public of the virus and repressing people who tired to sound the alarm, they undermined its promise of security to the public in exchange for their personal security. This whole crisis has exposed the issues of being under an authoritarian regime, especially to the younger population. They see the danger of clamping down on free expression and past the facade of a omnipotent government that can get anything done.
Coronavirus Weakens China's Powerful Propaganda Machine
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