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How do you think the pandemic has affected the way people around the world see the U.S.?

Not being an American, but a Canadian living next door, I thought I would offer my perspective on the US and Covid-19. If you are not familiar with our media, we are attached "at the hip" to US media. Most of us are able to access most everything that Americans can. This is everything from CBS to Fox and beyond if we want to dig. There is a saying that when the US gets a cold, (in any sense of the word, economically mainly) we get the flu. It is at times interesting to listen to the differences and similarities between our two nations. On a personal level, the vast majority of Americans I have met are polite, kind, generous, and enjoyable to be around. I am always cautious not discuss politics and guns. Until recently we have travelled to the US on many occasions. Covid-19 has all but stopped travel, but even before the pandemic, we made a choice not to travel to the US due to the election of Donald Trump. On a very personal level, I could not bring myself to enter a nation with such a leader. The way in which Donald Trump handled the pandemic, from my view, was at best laughable and at worst tragic. I have always felt that most nations tried their best under difficult circumstances. Some decisions in Canada turned out to be detrimental, but the intent was always in our best interest. During Trump's presidency, I think many outsiders could only shake their heads. I honestly believe that his management of the pandemic was primarily focussed on how it made him look. I saw too many press conferences that had nothing to do with keeping people safe, but simply presented lies to make him look better. From the sidelines it was hard to believe that so many would follow his rhetoric. It was comical and very sad at the same time. Since his defeat I think President Biden has worked hard to keep Americans safe. He isn't afraid to speak the truth which is not always positive. Some Governors, DeSantis and Abbott, in particular, have continued to make America look like a nation managed by pre-schoolers. Their comments and policies have provided vast material for late night comedy shows. I think much of the world looks at America in confusion and bewilderment. How can the most powerful, developed and wealthy nation on earth have the worst Covid statistics on the planet? How can politicians make decisions that cost lives but maintain their core of followers? When look at the behaviour of the Congress and Senate I am deeply concerned for America. The behaviour of too many politicians looks more like pre-schoolers fighting over a toy than elected officials trying to run a nation. There is no kind way to say this, America since 2016 has become a major topic of discussion for many non-Americans. Unfortunately, the conclusion for many of us that your leadership in many areas is laughable at best and destructive to your democracy at worst. I shake my head much too often at the leaders of your nation. Covid-19 has brought out the worst in American politics. It has created an even greater divide in your nation. If the handling of Covid-19 and all things connected to it were a fictional Netflix series it would be worthy of an Emmy. As a nation, it is a sad and tragic commentary. Too many of your leaders have failed you! The land of the free and home of the brave is in peril.