Corona Diary (December 15–21)
By: Re S Public Collective
Tags: International, Coronavirus, New York, Diary, Mexico

Like everyone, we are currently experiencing challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Regardless of our nationality, age, or cultural practices, social distancing has rapidly become the norm. The following is a weekly series of thoughts and experiences across five different cities and countries, in the hope of making connections and distinctions in a strange and uncertain time.

Mexico City, Mexico

by Nuria Benítez Gómez

SMS texts received from the government. “We are on Covid alert. We have 78% hospital occupancy. NO parties, NO family gatherings. Stay home. It’s everyone’s responsibility.” / “ COVID 19 EMERGENCY Hospitals are at full capacity. We are back to absolute isolation. From today, only essential sectors will be open. DO NOT go out, NO parties.”

With no surprise, Mexico City has gone back to red traffic light, on the day of my birthday. Luckily, we have never stopped being aware of the situation and had celebrations with a nice meal at home with my sisters. It turns out that the government misled everyone about the severity of the coronavirus in the capital for a couple of weeks, and enhanced activity when we should all have been strictly at home. The famous “Guadalupe–Reyes” has been interrupted: alcohol sales were banned for the weekend (18th to 20th), rather unusual act for the time of year in which Mexicans celebrate and tend to drink from December 12th (the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe) to January 6th (Epiphany, the day of the Three Kings). Must have been a control measure for people to stay home, a rather desperate act to make up for the delay in their responsibility to keep everyone at home.

On December 16, 2020, the National Minimum Wage Commission (CONASAMI) agreed to increase 5% the minimum wage to an average $ 141.70 pesos per day, as of January 1, 2021. Can you believe this? $7 USD per day.

Brooklyn, New York, The United States

by Jon Gayomali

We had our first big snowfall of the season. It was the first major snow in a few years. I measured my backyard to be 8" of snowfall. It snowed for about a full day, and Brooklyn was filled with sleds and snowmen, and Manhattan had quite a few characters. People were even skiing in the street!

My dad was given the vaccine on Monday, along with many of my friends who are on the front lines. It’s great to know that we are finally able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. In 3 weeks, he gets the second dose. So far, he hasn’t felt any effects aside from his arm being sore. In the media, there is a lot of backlash of politicians being among the first stage of people to be given the vaccine, especially those that have been downplaying the virus the entire time. There is pressure on a lot of celebrities to get the vaccine, as setting an example to the sceptics will be vital to approaching herd immunity.

Meanwhile, people are suffering, and are hanging on by a thread as many places including California have been going back into lockdown. It may happen soon in New York. On Monday night, the Senate passed a $900 Billion for Coronavirus assistance. This comes out to a $600 stimulus check, extended unemployment benefits up to $300/ week, and loan and grant forgiveness for small businesses. Despite the progress, there has been a lot of backlash on the bill, as the $900 Billion number is very misleading.