Mexico and Covid

I thought I'd update you all on Mexico and what is happening with Covid. Like anywhere else in the World, Covid is rampant, although the numbers on paper show much less than our Country, some believe much is not reported. Definitely the tests are not as easy and viable as in the States and they cost a lot more money. And some people are dying at home as opposed to being in a Hospital. The State we are in, Nayarit, is in a "Red Light" stage which means that we have curfews (8pm), there is limits on who can shop (only non-pregnant woman between 12-60 yo and men), inside dining is very limited or maybe not at all. Some Cities/Towns get put on a 2-day ALL BUSINESS CLOSED restriction. And, masks are required with 2 meter (6') distances. What is the compliance...uuuhhh...sometimes you will see 100% compliance sometimes not. Most Restuarants are masked and may have sanitizer (we have only eaten "para llevar or take away once) and most stores shopkeepers have mask on their necks, if not on their faces. All taxi drivers have them on. All hotels or anyone that caters 100% to tourism has them on. All toll booth operators (if you don't know there are many tolls to drive down on the "cuota-paid" highway, there is also a libre highway which is free annnndddd very slow) have them on. Most of the guys working on the roads have them on. So, seemingly it is somewhat the same as the US. The other thing Mexico has, is force. If they want to shut you down, they will. Puerto Vallarta (about 1.25 minutes from us) was a well known hot spot of the virus, which came, in part, from Tourists unmasked and continuing life as normal. Many nightclubs were running and when the Government finds out...the men with big guns come and shuts them down. If you don't know, guns are illegal in Mexico. But all Federal, Municipal, State government police carry HUGE guns. And are always out and about. And if they say, "Cerrado" you are closed! Or "clausurado" - these are a few places that were shut down for illegally having "parties".

But another difference; Mexico does not have money. Mexicans do not have insurance for health or at least not many. Tourism is a huge part of the revenue for the Coasts, like a majority of the income. And the Government does not have money. So people still want and need to work. It's a hard position to watch because while I want people to be safe and stay home I also understand the dilemna. I see this at home too. The difference is at home, if you really needed masks or have an health emergency need, you can find it free to you. We continue to do our part of masking up and keeping our 2 m from people. But we also try to help by spending and tipping well. We brought down a couple hundred KN95 masks, face shields and snacks which I delivered to a Public Hospital in Puerto Vallarta and one in San Pancho. I got to meet some incredible health care workers that are trying so very hard (just like all the people I know in the States) and I sympathize for them knowing that the risk of death is higher than other Countries as PPE supplies are harder to come by.

The humanity and selflessness that shows itself from this Pandemic can be heartwarming. I hope we all come back soon, including Mexico. With that, I'd like to share these Heartfelt words from the Governor of Nayarit when pleading about masking and social distancing: "COVID-19 seems like a distant disease until it strikes a friend, family member, or yourself. This virus causes pain, but it is not limited to bodily discomfort. The pain transcends to the family, who experience the fear and anguish of never seeing their loved one again. Therefore, observing the absurd irresponsibility of some makes us wonder: how can there be so much insensitivity towards the mourning of thousands? In the absence of an answer, I only hope with all my heart that conscience comes before the disease."