Swine Flu Update:
Mexico City is basically shut down. Schools, restaurants, gyms, libraries, museums, churches, and government offices are all closed. Supermarkets are running out of food. There are no more masks. We are not supposed to take the subway or the buses. Toluca is not sick, so Dave has work, and we've been able to eat at restaurants. But, this is a holiday weekend in Mexico - today is "kid's day" (like mother's day in reverse!) and tomorrow is labor day. So we're going to the beach!
We'll drive in our own car, pack a lunch, and drive hours to the western coast near the beach of Puerto Vallarta. We're staying in a small B&B run by Canadians about 30miles from the hotel center, so we'll still be in self-isolation, only we'll be stuck in a beautiful beach house rather than our own!
Unfortunately, Americans are taking this opportunity to let their Mexican hatred come out. I actually heard someone say that the kids who vacationed in Mexico got what was coming to them bc they chose to visit a dirty country where they couldn't even drink the water. WHAT???!!! Flu doesn't come through the water. Cancun is a very clean place. And Americans are getting sick, too.
Many Americans are also calling for the border to be closed. At first I thought it was a small group of Americans who would latch onto any reason to keep mexicans out. But now it's obvious that discrimination has spread throughout the country. Even if they're only biased against sick people, it's still an issue.
If Americans really want to help the situation, rather than closing the border, they can send flu medicines, food, and money to Mexico City officials so that they can focus on getting people well. Right now, the city cannot afford to shut businesses and the transportation system, bc the average Mexican won't eat if they won't work. And they definitely won't go to the doctor, bc they can't afford it.
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I heard some random and offenseive comments about mexico just last night. I was happy to report to this man that you all were doing lovely and felt no need to worry. He thought mexico was just simply filthy. I didn't fight him too hard (we were at church afterall) but let him know that it's a fine place to travel and live, and it's alive with culture and a rich history, and has so many beautiful 'off the beaten path' locations that (by pictures anyway) seem rather clean.
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