No Escape from Cuban Government’s Self-Praise
By Pedro Pablo Morejon
HAVANA TIMES – Something has happened within the context of this pandemic, which has shaken the entire world and taken over 100,000 lives, and I’m not in the slightest bit surprised: the Cuban government’s immense manipulation and propaganda campaign amidst so much human suffering.
It’s the same thing if you’re watching TV, listening to the radio, visiting any official website or even opening up your Facebook. They want you to believe that there isn’t a country in the world with a better health system to fight this COVID-19 war, better than the ones that embrace “cruel and savage” capitalism.
A journalist’s biased analysis on National TV News still keeps playing over in my mind, creating a Dantesque picture of the US health system when handling the Coronavirus outbreak, while the Cuban government still hadn’t decided to close the border and schools.
I just hope we are lucky and the measures that were taken (which should have been taken a month before) prevent an exponential spike in the number of people sick and dead, otherwise we will see our system crumble before our very eyes. There is no health system in the world that is prepared for such a high number of infected people and people dying. Not a single one.
The Cuban media’s manipulation is so obvious that it doesn’t condemn the way allied countries are dealing with the crisis, such as Nicaragua, where the president hasn’t closed borders and doesn’t seem to care about the lives of its people.
The media isn’t giving any coverage to the initiatives set up by incredible Cuban people who, at the expense of their own incomes and without a care for profits, are cooking meals at their private restaurants to deliver to old people at home.
The only thing you hear about is the great feats and humanism of the Cuban government, that has taken the luxury of sending health professionals to other countries in the world to help fight COVID-19, such as the brigade that was sent to Italy, or helping a cruise loaded with well-to-do Britons some of whom were sick with Coronavirus.
But ordinary Cubans know full well the Machiavellian cogs that are turning to make a health professional leave their family and risk their life in another country: Poverty and semi-slavery.
If socially progressive countries that also have an excellent health system, such as Holland, Norway or Finland, just to give you three examples, have succumbed to this plague, there is no doubt that any other country in the world will be exempt from a large-scale humanitarian crisis, in spite of the measures they take.
This chauvinistic propaganda that politicizes everything without taking human suffering into account, really makes me sick. Which is why I’ve taken some measures of my own for my own emotional wellbeing. I don’t watch any TV or read official press, and I’ve blocked anyone on my Facebook who echoes this propaganda.
However, this morning, loudspeakers on the street tortured my ears with a comparison of the sad situation in the world with the way things are faring here in our country. I can’t see any way of getting away from it. Will I have to start wearing ear plugs?
That Moses is a great summation which ought to make folks pause and think. For it clearly defines the difference between democracy and totalitarian rule. Trump although elected by 63 million Americans in an open election, is but temporarily in power. Fidel and Raul Castro never exposed themselves to open free elections. Liberty is a pearl beyond price and Cubans can only dream of it. Those pro-Castro commentators of whom you speak, can only do so because they have democratic freedom.
Trump is such an easy target that it seems like every pro-Castro commenter here at HT simply picks from the smorgasbord of Trump idiocies to justify Cuban failures. Can we just agree that Trump is an idiot and, with any luck, his worldwide stench will subside after the first Tuesday this November? On the other hand, the failed economy of Cuba will continue ad nauseum or at least until a free and democratic system replaces the Castro dictatorship.
Make no mistake- Governments around the world will be blowing their own trumpets regarding their Covid-19 policies regardless of their ideological persuasion. Look at trump the White House lunatic trying to deflect blame from himself (he first referred to the virus as a ‘hoax’) and pin it on the World Health Organisation.
In the U.K. Prime Minister Pinocchio was giving absurd Churchill-style speeches about fighting Coronavirus on the beaches and all that nonsense before actually managing to come down quite seriously with the virus himself.
All governments will be trying to make political capital out of the situation.
As one would expect.
It is incorrect that the US has “the highest kill-rate in the world”. The US has a population of some 330 million. Italy, Spain and the UK all have currently a higher level of loss of life relative to their populations. It is also incorrect to say that Trump “acted exactly like the Nicaragua disaster” saying so diminishes the validity of criticism which is justified, but Rosario and Daniel Nortega, Trump ain’t.
There is no doubt that Trump was far too slow in recognizing the perils of the virus, complacently saying that it would all be over by Easter and trying yet again to gain the spotlights, as demanded by his narcissism. Covid-19 however is not about Donald Trump, it is about “surviving. As individuals, families, nations and species.”
It is cynical in the extreme and even dangerous, to suggest that “the world try to ignore government leaders’ propaganda whose interest is only in their personal political careers” It is the function of elected leaders to lead, and many of them are doing so, despite the baying cries of the ignorant. Where would New York State be without Governor Cuomo? How is it the the German figures are comparatively low? Have you for example, compared the Canadian figures with those of the US?
As for the US black communities being poor and disadvantaged, that applies to the 93% of Cubans irrespective of colour, who do not hold membership in the PCC.
Absolutely, the pandemic propaganda war is in full battle gear on all the airwaves and throughout social media in Cuba and elsewhere.
In the United States President Trump initially acted exactly like the Nicaragua disaster presently unfolding whereby he denied the relevance of COVID-19 to his country the United States, and refused to enforce distancing measures advocated by his professional medical authorities. This was in January 2020.
Fast forward today when the pandemic has killed a plethora of American citizens – the highest kill rate in the world – the majority being, black, poor and disadvantaged, the Trump Administration is now stepping forward announcing how terrific the country is doing in winning this COVID-19 war. Well, one needs to ask how many casualties is he responsible for in his praise pronouncement. Self praise has a human price.
The Cuban government uses loudspeakers on the streets to shout out its achievements and control the message; President Trump, self proclaimed “War President” uses his old stand by Twitter and his friendly telecasts (no room for “fake news” here) where Trump can control the propaganda communication – critical in a crisis.
The wise citizenry of the world try to ignore government leaders’ propaganda whose interest is only in their personal political careers, but listen very carefully to professional medical personnel who advise all for the humanitarian betterment of neighbors, local communities, and society in general.
Cuba was but one of several countries that sent medical teams (note the description of team work rather than military brigades), however, the others did not charge for services.
Well don’t worry I think governments do the same all over the world, i.e. here in the province of Quebec, Canada.
But it seems that the virus is no way as contagious in country with hot climates, fortunately!
What do you expect you’re living in an undemocratic communist tyranny they always toot their own horn.
Always will, they control everything there is no other voice.
Be Careful! Big Brother is Watching.