A description of the impact of the pandemic and the response in the country of choice

The public health crisis resulting from the ravages of Covid-19 has been devastating and revealing. Among many things, the crisis has revealed how globally interconnected and interdependent we are; how disproportionately vulnerable groups are in the U.S.—indigenous, black, and brown as well as poor people most particularly; and how these current disparities are linked to historical inequities. We have also seen how countries around the world have addressed the pandemic differently with very different outcomes. One obvious comparison is between Sweden and the U.S. Many factors have impacted the ability of particular nations to respond to the pandemic. The purpose of this assignment is to investigate the cultural and intercultural dimensions of the pandemic/pandemic response in Sweden than the U.S. and compare your findings to the cultural and intercultural issues of the pandemic/response in the U.S. Some issues to consider include how culture is threaded through decision-making processes, leadership styles, communication about the crisis, economic and political responses to the crisis, overall preparedness of existing health facilities and capacities, cultural assumptions and orientations to health, illness, death and vaccinations as well values of individualism and collectivism, respect and rejection of authority, political leaders, and science.

This assignment requires you to become a critical observer, researcher and analyst of the cultural dimensions of practices, processes, and policies that have a tremendous impact on all of us. Researching the response and impact of the pandemic in another country informs us of how things can be done differently and provides insight into U.S. cultural responses, disparities and challenges. When possible, combine library/online research with conversations from people who have knowledge of the country/culture you select.

For this assignment, students are required to write a six-seven-page (double-spaced) paper that includes:

• A description of the impact of the pandemic and the response in the country of choice
• Discussion of the cultural and intercultural dimensions of the impact and response
• Comparison of the cultural and intercultural dimensions to the U.S.
• A summary of reflections on what you have learned from the research
• References/Work cited required!