Noted recall: The goal is to describe, in just a few words, what the article is about. Additionally, if I think the article is particularly note-worthy (good or bad), I will comment on that. Compare this to a small sticky note, something to jog your memory about the contents of an article. Of course, if I miss the point of an article, or fail to find anything remarkable, that is entirely the fault of the reviewer.
Available at: https://monthlyreview.org/2020/06/01/mr-072-02-2020-06_0/
COVID-19 and Catastrophe Capitalism - John Bellamy Foster and Intan Suwandi
(read 2020.06.26)
Lots of focus on global supply chains, and the difficulty in mapping interdependencies (“second tier” suppliers, which are suppliers of suppliers, third tier, fourth tier). This article gives me the impression more companies are affected by COVID-19 than might be apparent currently. The other thing I learned was “supply chain finance,” which sounds vaguely like financial systems similar to the sub-prime mortgage crisis, i.e., speculation to offload risk. Article spends some time discussing how disadvantaged peoples, oppressed peoples, people in the global South are more likely to be affected.
How Che Guevera Taught Cuba to Confront COVID-19 - Don Fitz
(read 2020.06.26)
A look at Cuba’s socialized medicine. Some background on Cuba sending medical aid to other countries around the world. Look at how Cuba handled the AIDS crisis in the 80s/90s, how that prepared them for today. Rapid response plan, and doctors travelling around Cuba to identify and quarantine patients, allowed the country to contain the spread. Cuba allowed cruise ship MS Braemar to dock that was turned away by other nearby nations.