Dear Americans: This is Why New Zealanders' Lives Are Back to Normal and Yours Are Not

 It comes as no surprise that American culture is vastly different from other western nations. In fact, many Americans find pride in this fact, but is it really that great? With the onset of the recent pandemic, America and its people have highlighted the qualities and traits that separate them as a whole from their European counterparts. The initial response to SARS-CoV-2 was alarming yet unsurprising in the United States. From its former commander-in-chief downplaying the virus publicly to its citizens assaulting anyone enforcing masking protocols, America could not form a united front against a common enemy. What is to blame for this? Individualism is not a bad start. The states in our country are anything but united. Protocols to combat this novel virus varied from state-to-state, county-to-county, and even town-to-town. But why? Because the mere thought of "inconveniencing" yourself (i.e. wearing a mask and social distancing) due to a virus more deadly to others around you just did not make sense to many. Some even believed it infringed on their freedom. *eye roll* This root problem in America will not be fixed by you moving to New Zealand or another nation that clearly has it more together, in policy and consideration for others. The solution starts here and by you caring for your fellow Americans. It starts by you accepting the idea that your neighbor is just as important as you. It starts by ideas like universal healthcare, which actually saves money for everyone in the end, not being such a radical idea because you will be paying for the care of others (by the way when you are sick they will return the favor). It starts by us electing officials that will uphold these fundamental beliefs in Congress. America, we have a problem. Once we tackle this pandemic (hopefully soon), the next one will expose this same flaw and more unnecessary lives will be lost. These lives could be loved ones or strangers, but it should not matter. As Americans, we need to come together...united we are strong...divided we are weak. Let us stop being weak.