Kids Don't Suck :')

In a time where it's clear that every person is being affected by the same thing, it only makes sense to try and come together. That means giving whatever food that can't be sold anymore is given to those in need (I'm looking at you, milk farmers for schools), and that everyone should be given shelter during a time where it's imperative to shelter-in-place (I'm looking at you, empty hotels). In the last drop of good news I could find in such challenging times comes from the epitome of innocence-- kids. This week, two kids in Hanoi, Vietnam used all their "lucky money" (money they have saved up over the years) and gifted 20,0000 masks to the UK due to shortages that the country is facing in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Their names are Nhan and Khoi and they're adorable.

Vietnamese kids use lucky money to buy PPE masks for UK

Democracy > Orders to Stay Indoors

We are only a third through a year and it looks like we won't be seeing anything past our bedroom walls with the God-forsaken COVID-19 cases taking over the ways of life as we know it-- running errands, human touch, and elections. This, however, may not be the case for South Korea. In fact, showing up to something many would (sadly) opt-out for shows to have a staggering impact in numbers during this time. For the first time in 28 years, South Korea had a 66.6% turnout (about 44 million voters)-- over a quarter of the country's population. Most of the voters showed up in masks and gloves while keeping their distance, especially within the disinfected voting booths. This is the highest they've seen since the 71.9% turnout in 1992. The result of the election was a landslide; the Democratic party won the majority (180 seats filled in the National Assembly seating of 300), leading to the party gaining 60 seats. Nevertheless, this is still an unprecedented event considering there are about 10,000 infected, but about 7,000 recovering-- a noteworthy accomplishment in which the government receives widespread praise for the way they've been handling the crisis-- it's no wonder why the election had such a high turnout. This was also the first nationwide vote held in any highly infected country in the world since the outbreak began.

South Korea sees the largest turnout in almost 30 years in election held during coronavirus outbreak

So Malaysia Really Did THAT

I mean, I know it's on the dreaded Coronavirus, but it was too good not to pass up. It's also midnight o'39 and I already promised my sister we'd go running at 6am. Maybe my judgment is clouded. We'll see when we review this post in class. Anyway.
The country of Malaysia currently has more than 2,900 cases of individuals that are diagnosed with the Coronavirus and 45 deceased (on paper), making it the country with the most cases of COVID-19 in Southeast Asia. In the midst of this international pandemic, the Malaysian government's Women's Development Department posted a list of "tips" for women to help cope with the lockdown and self-isolation period we are all living in. These so-called "tips" included the following:

• avoid "nagging
• continue to wear makeup
• refrain from being "sarcastic" when asked to help with household chores
• avoid wearing "home clothes"

As you can imagine, this did not go over well for the Malaysian government. In fact, the Malaysian government had to issue an apology. Their intentions were to enforce positive habits and behaviors during this challenging time, but their advice almost seemed to be a cover for the increase in domestic violence due to these (necessary) shelter-in-place orders-- it seemed like a subtle suggestion to appease to abusers rather than find help. Unfortunately, this is not the first time the Malaysian government has been accused of sexism. More recently, in 2017, a member of parliament claimed husbands were "abused" when wives gave insults, withheld sex, and denied consent for Muslim men to take another wife during a debate on amending domestic abuse laws.






Malaysian government apologizes after advising wives to avoid 'nagging' during coronavirus lockdown

Abe Is Doing His Best Okay

Unfortunately, with worldwide lockdowns on the horizon (or already taking place), I have no choice, but to report on the Coronavirus. Specifically in regard to the Olympics this summer, Japan is given no choice, but to close their gates this summer due to threats of the Coronavirus outbreak. Due to this sudden transition in dynamic and safety, frustrated athletes worldwide, disappointed spectators, and a huge hit on the economy, as those who projected widespread profits from the Tokyo Olympics are all sacrificed-- as well as Prime Minister Abe's future as his political reputation is brought into question. This is unfortunately not the first time Prime Minister Abe's first mishap in office. After making the effort to include more women within the workplace ("womenconomics," as Abe himself dubbed the term), Abe hired more female senior advisors to work with him as well as made quotas nationwide for women to be included. His victory was unfortunately short-lived when the new members he hired were caught in the midst of workplace scandals and had to be fired. This brought Abe's hope of a more progressive and dynamic Japan at a slow down as women to this day still are not seen as equals. Although Abe only has the right intentions in mind, the results of his actions don't turn out the best.

Tokyo Olympics delay rekindles debate over Abe’s political future

China's New Menu Change!

Welcome back folks, to the continuous journey of me trying not to report on the godforsaken Covid-19 we all know and see everywhere. This week's installment consists of the consumption of cats and dogs in China, or what will now be the lack of. Shenzen, China may become one of the first places in mainland China to outlaw the consumption of cats and dogs. The main reason behind this ban is due to the (now recognized) respect towards the bond between a human and their pet, considered the “consensus of all human civilization”. Despite this recognition, I believe this article swindled me into subtly mentioning the coronavirus. Morality aside, this ban on furry friends is also a response to the overwhelming spread of the virus throughout the world. I figured the timing was too good to be true for me.
Until next time.

Shenzhen could be first city in China to ban eating of dogs and cats

anyway here is my dog!

(relevant enough for me to put him on here)

Actual GOOD News About the Coronavirus

Despite my desperate attempts to try and not write about the great pandemonium that is the Coronavirus (since it was swallowing up every Asian news outlet), I gave in and drank the Kool-Aid. Personally, I find it exhausting watching more and more stories of the spread, the increasing body count, and the newly-formed racism arising from the matter, causing many Asian businesses (despite the Coronavirus originating in China) to lose business at an astonishingly swift rate. I have had the owner of a certain Bahn-mi spot I go to thank me for my business-- it's safe to say that the coverage has been nothing short of equal parts dangerous and depressing.
In Hangzhou, China (as reported by a Filipino news outlet), a four-month-old patient miraculously recovers from the infamous Coronavirus, being the youngest patient to survive such circumstances. Despite the news story being a brief two sentences with what could be a stock photo, it was quite refreshing. Some may argue that in the world we live in, bad news and tragedies are cathartic and necessary in order for us to push for change and a better world. Personally, I'd argue we need a balance between the two. I feel in order for us to push for change, it is rewarding to see the results as well, knowing the work leads somewhere.
Anyway, maybe the Coronavirus isn't the worst we've seen yet. Stay tuned for some more hopefully better news?

Baby with novel coronavirus recovers

Nepal Finally Believes That LGBTQ+ Exist

Nepal's next census (that will occur in 2021) will now count in LGBTQ peoples for the first time ever. The way the survey will be conducted is by having the usual options-- male, female-- but not including a third option, "other (sexual/gender community)". After the gender identity question, there will be no questions asking to identify sexual orientation. Nepal will be joining with Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh which also legally recognizes transgender peoples, also including enuchs and intersex people as a third gender.
This change will not only show in population, but will provide better access to education and healthcare for people that identify under the LGBTQ community while also helping them benefit from social security schemes like the police or the army. This will also be considered one big step for the socially conservative Himalayan nation towards progress. Although change seems to be coming, unfortunately, it is still reported that about 900,000 LGBTQ peoples are still harrassed in Nepal to this day. Change may also not show immediate results due to the fears, confusion, and concern around the stigmas placed on this community.
LGBTQ people to be counted in Nepal's census for the first time