Swine Flu Guanajuato Update
Here’s a link to Junkfood Science’s latest sane piece. The one thing I would quarrel with–again–is her depiction of Mexico as mired in dire poverty and with a hopelessly deficient medical system.
Yes there are desperately poor people in Mexico. But there is also an enormous middle class and hordes of people whose standard of living has been rising. The family I described in yesterday’s post would, according to measures described recently in the Economist, count as part of the world’s huge emerging middle class.
The medical system is not that of the United States. But there is at all social levels a good bit of coverage. The worst off are those in remote rural areas because doctors don’t want to live and work in remote rural areas. But in the larger cities both the state and the private hospitals have excellent doctors who are tied into the English-speaking network of conferences, research, courses, etc. In the smaller cities, perhaps not so good but they are linked in for emergencies to the larger centers.
For the family I described yesterday, I would say the level of care is much superior to that available in England in (say) the 1970s. For us, the care for most conditions is equivalent to the United States with the plus that the the doctor talks to you. Only for a rare and unusual or very critical condition would we consider going to the States.
What’s it like here in Guanajuato, people ask? Well, the good news is that it’s like Christmas. Thanks to all the old friends who have taken the time to contact us and ask how things are.
We, like everyone else, remain holed up. The level of compliance with the instructions to avoid contact as far as possible is astonishing, especially given that a stroll through the city is a very important part of life for most Mexicans and indeed one of the most appealing aspects of living here. Mind you, with churches, restaurants, bars, museums and so on closed, the reasons to go out are diminished.
The major public hospital in town has set up one isolation ward and had one death from flu-like symptoms. The supermarkets, according to a friend who ventured out yesterday, were out of basics such as chicken and beans, but perhaps they have been re-stocked by now. The internet is half its usual speed, presumably because so many people are on.
It’s hard not to imagine that many small businesses, restaurants, street stands, small shops, and the like will be wiped out. The costs even to large businesses and to the government have to be staggering.
The closedown of all non-essential government and private businesses and services for five days is a bit less draconian than it might appear as this is a “puente” a three day weekend. It’s for the Cinco de Mayo so famous in the States as a Mexican holiday but celebrated here with about the same vigor as Americans celebrate George Washington’s Birthday. That is, at least people won’t be missing a favorite celebration.
it is a pity that people have been scared into hiding, but i think its for the best. in the winter, when everyone in my family is down with something or other, if i have a day off work, i keep the children at home too. i dont think their education will suffer if they dont go to school one day.
as for the businesses, they may suffer in the short-term, but when this is over, i dont see what harm will have been done in the long-term. people can eat on stockable ingredients – it’s a chance to clear out your cupbards of lurking ingredients such as beans rice flour tinned food and the like.
i’m not being sarcastic, i think it’s a way to make a fresh start once this crisis is over, and it will pass, just like SARS did, and avian flu
I agree, Rachel. Another good article from Junkfood Science.
I was surprised that she says however, in relation to the US health care system that:
“There’s a reason our healthcare is seen as the best in the world and our neighbors from Mexico come here for care.”
When I worked at the Mexican National Institute for Public Health, there was were many measures to indicate that the US health care system was not the best in the world, especially in terms of social justice, and money spent in relation to results obtained – and also in terms of the overall health of the population using measures like longevity.
Although it is somewhat exaggerated in parts, Michael Moore’s film on the US health system ‘Sicko’ is an indictment of the US health care provision.
Informative news from on the ground in Mexico. Really appreciate knowing how everybody is handling this not- quite-an-epidemic.
Rachel, You are giving a much needed clear perspective… thank you.
Personally, I am thinking about those getting the swine flu, but I’m mostly depressed about people who depend on tourism and trade.
Let’s hope that the current swine flu will progress in a similar fashion with SARS and the effects on the Mexican economy will be temporary (though significant, I’ m afraid, in the near term).
Take care..
Thanks Mariana. Some encouraging statistics on a downward trend in admissions. Trends are what we want. If this continues perhaps the economic impact won’t be too bad. Local tourism should recover quickly. International tourism is another matter.
Thanks for the on the ground insight in beautiful Guanajauto during this current crisis. My son is studying abroad and I get more info from you than him. I’m also trying not to get the hyped US news media freak me about about his safety.
He should be just fine but it must be really hard to keep telling yourself that. And son’s can be the worst communicators, can’t they?
Just checking in with you, and happy to see you are healthy and carrying on as best as possible. I’m not sure this is what people have in mind when they talk about a ‘small world’, but it gets smaller and more intimate everyday.
Sending you good wishes to get through this crisis.
Judith
Thanks Judith. Feeling in touch with friends through the internet has really helped in the past week. With luck the worst is over but in the meantime, I really appreciate the concern. Enjoy the Italian spring!
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Hi,
Great, normalized update on the flu. I am a high school teacher in Minneapolis, MN. I am thinking of renting a house in Guanajuato for two weeks in August with my 11 and 17 year old boys. I am thinking that this should all blow over by then, but your blog will be a great place to get reality checks.
Thanks!
Patricia