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CURRENT EVENT | July 6, 2020

World Leadership During the Pandemic

Leaders throughout the world are working to control the spread of COVID-19 in their nations. Some have managed to keep their country’s illness rates very low or to quickly limit outbreaks. This story examines the qualities and strategies of these successful leaders and the commonalities in their responses to the pandemic that have so effectively addressed the health crisis. Listen to learn what the New Zealand prime minister said to calm her nation, how leaders of several Asian countries mobilized their governments, and what the German Chancellor did for the first time ever to rally her citizens to work together to reduce the threat of the virus.

Story Length: 5:23

Listen to the Story:

SOURCE:

National Public Radio © 2020 National Public Radio, Inc. Used with the permission of NPR. All rights reserved.

05/27/2020


Listening Comprehension Questions

  • What strategies did the prime minister of New Zealand use to fight the virus?
  • How did the NZ prime minister’s tone affect citizens, according to the professor interviewed?
  • Why were the Asian countries mentioned in the story better prepared than some other countries to fight coronavirus?
  • What made the German Chancellor’s communication with German citizens effective, according to the expert interviewed?

Classroom Discussion Themes

  • Why might it be more effective in containing the virus to focus messaging on uniting rather than fighting, as the New Zealand prime minister did?
  • What qualities do you think make an effective leader during a pandemic? Use examples from the story to support your views.