In Laos, Social Distancing is imposed by nature; Laos can claim to be the most socially distanced country in South East Asia.  This geography may have helped save Laos from a Covid-19 disaster.  Laotians are not strangers to suffering either.   Older Laotians endured the hardships of living in caves during nine years of continual bombing.   Lao people - and their government - understood how to respond to this new threat. 

...we took a stunning seven-hour journey, ascending into the clouds before winding down dramatically into sun-drenched valleys of dusty Hmong and Khmu villages. This is Laos at its best; thatched wooden houses clinging impossibly to the side of mountains or besides rivers and streams. Clusters of traditionally dressed villagers, with baskets on their backs emerged from the jungle as we approached their tiny settlements. Slowing down to negotiate a safe route through grubby toddlers, nervy chickens and dozing buffalo...