Summary: A key outcome of this course is that students will be able to analyze and discuss international management issues. With this in mind, I thought it would be a good exercise for students to research the pandemic and learn the facts, stay away from the false hype and unnecessary stress, and learn what actions have worked and have not in different countries, as well as what are the right actions to take as individuals in order to ensure we minimize the effects of COVID-19. This Individual Research Assignment will entail students researching how two different countries have dealt with this issue. You will choose one country that according to existing data had an effective response to this pandemic from the following (Singapore, South Korea, Iceland, Canada, Australia...) and one country that according to current data did not overall have an effective response (Italy, Spain, Philippines, the United States...). You can choose any country you want. There are several areas you can mention within you research in terms of the country's effectiveness in dealing with COVID-19, I will let you choose from the following aspects: Number of tests per capita Government's direction to maintain physical distance or self-isolate Capability to provide medical treatment to positive cases Availability of medical supplies Government reaction to COVID-19 as the months progressed Mainstream media (within the country) information dissemination Social media reactions by the population Cultural reactions of gratitude by the population As well as any other examples you can think of Critical Analysis: Students will present their findings in a 2-page (600 words) critical analysis, not including references (minimum 2 references necessary). This project is worth 20% of your course grade. After gathering information, you should use your analytical skills, critical thinking and writing skills to perform a critical analysis of the difference in how two countries of your choice, prepared, reacted and dealt with COVID-19. For each of the two countries chosen, you may research: Governments and national public health institutes messaging towards the public Governments and national public health institutes actions Mainstream media messaging before and during the pandemic Private citizens communications through different mediums such as social media O Private citizens actions such as respecting physical distancing or the celebration of the work that health care workers and those on the first lines of defense are doing