Cozumel Mexico News

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May 4, 2020

Cozumel, Mexico News – Cozumel to Soon have a Crematorium -Interview Municipal President Pedro Joaquin-Colonia Emilia Zapata Community Kitchen -Carnival Cruise Lines CANCELED CRUISES

Interview Municipal President Pedro Joaquin

Cozumel, Mexico May 4, 2020

Municipal President Pedro Joaquin was interviewed this morning on Sol Radio 899. His interview was repeated at noon in segments, along with other information in this article. This also includes (My Opinion) in parenthesis.

President Joaquin was incredibly positive about the COVID-19 being held at bay by the extreme curfew hours, social distancing, closing of nonessential business, hygiene measures, and mandatory face masks. He reminded us that these numbers are to be multiplied by 8 to be really accurate.

Curfew

In any event, if Cozumel maintains this positive control of COVID-19 he will slowly loosen the current restrictions. Starting with the curfew that is currently from 5 pm to 5 am. He anticipates being able to announce a curfew of 8 pm to 5 am by the end of the week.

The Plan

The plan is to slowly work towards ending the quarantine by May 31. The President stressed that things will not be the same. He expects us to use the face masks, keep up hygiene regiment, and maintain social distancing, until the end of the year.

Meetings have already started in the tourism industry to set new standards that will meet the necessary safety measures.

Cozumel, Mexico State COVID-19 Report

Today´s report shows good news, no increase in infected nor fatalities once again. One more person has recovered, leaving only five under treatment.

President Joaquin once again praised the medical personnel for the excellent care given to the COVID-19 patients. He alluded to a special treatment this morning. (On his last interview he mentioned some sort of drugs that the medical personnel were taking to keep from getting infected. To the best of my knowledge there is no prevented drug or treatment that has been successful.)

All Hospitals Ready

It was very strange that after stating that we were on our way to recovery, he discussed how the public hospitals are ready to receive COVID-19 patients, that extra beds have been made available, and that they had reached an agreement for additional help from  Costamed, a private hospital.

Federal Government

In answering questions about the food distribution by the Federal Government, he stated the only involvement that they have is distributing the boxes as instructed by the Federal Government.

The current supply of Federal boxes has run low and they are waiting for another shipment this week to continue.

Disparity in Food Distribution

The Federal Government purchased these boxes from different distributors, hence the disparity in the amount of food delivered.

That the federal government only allocated 13,000 boxes for Cozumel, not enough for every Colony. However, they (State and Local Government) would resume distributing their boxes and cover those Colonies not given food by the Federal Government.

Their boxes are small because that is all they can afford due to the lack of help from the Federal Government.

Political Shot

The Federal Government has not distributed funds to the businesses and workers as did former President Fox, after a previous crisis. (President Fox was in same Political Party as the Municipal President and current State Governor).

Deficit

That 97% of tax money goes into the Federal budget, the local and state government only receive 3% of tax income.

The State and Local Governments foresee a 30% budget deficit due to this crisis.

Dry Law Rumors

Cozumel will not stop alcohol sales. They have opted to reduce sales hours and slow distribution instead. Dry Law only leads to clandestine liquor sales that are not worth the police manpower currently.

Establishments will have to obey the curfew and sale hours. If not, they will be heavily fined and face the suspension of their license either temporarily or permanently.

Police not Arresting Certain People

(I am certain this is based on the many complaints of foreigners running along the waterfront, exercising themselves and exercising their dogs, obviously not within the allowed block in front of their home, and some without masks.)

When he was asked why the Police are not arresting some people seen running / exercising. He danced around this question said something about keeping the peace and solidarity.

In another section of the interview he swore they were being fair, and the rules applied to everyone and mentioned sanctions and arrests across the board.

(In my opinion, arrest them. I am stuck in this house for the safety us all. They should be held to the same standard if they wish to reside or visit here. I find their behavior an embarrassment.)

False Rumors

Do not listen to the many rumors on the Social Media. The ONLY OFFICIAL news comes from the Facebook pages Isla Cozumel MX and Pedro Joaquin D.

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Colonia Emilia Zapata Community Kitchen

In Charge: Brenda Briceño Can

Location: 12 avenida Norte Entre Calles 75 y 80, Cozumel, Mexico

FREE Meals to Go*:

 Monday – Friday 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Recipients

149 families identified as in need receive FREE food; they average 4 people per families. This equals 596 meals prepared five days per week. A member of each family brings their own carry out containers. Everyone must wear masks, social distancing observed by markings on the ground.

Meals

The FREE Meals meet nutritional guidelines and well balanced. Meals are planned daily based on what is in stock from donations. Preparation starts as early as two in the morning. Meals are cooked over wood; they cannot afford gas. If wood is not donated, the volunteers go into the jungle to gather wood.

Volunteers

This labor of love is a family affair. Eight members of Brenda Briceno’s family plus two close family friends run the kitchen.

Brenda´s parents fall into the vulnerable protective class.  They are a close-knit family that live right on that block; all precautions must be taken to protect the Abuelos! only two of the ten are exposed to the recipients and are careful to follow safety precautions. The other eight work in the background.

Prep work is very time consuming when cooking for over 600 people. Shopping involves going to all the stores to compare prices. Special skill is required to come up with nutritional meals working around the ingredients that you have on hand.

Other Services:

 *Meals to seniors delivered to their homes. Should any arrive to the kitchen they are given priority.

Families with young children are identified and fruits, vegetables, milk, formula are delivered to homes on weekends when available.

Prescription Medicine assistance is given to this group of people as needed.

Refreshments, water, sweet bread, delivered to first responders, medical staff, law enforcement when available.

COVID-19 Measures

Face masks, safe distancing, disinfecting mandates all followed as well as curfews.

History

When the crisis hit this group got immediately involved delivering staples to families in need. After Brenda´s job ended on April 12, she had more time on her hands, and the delivery of food evolved into a community kitchen,

Donations

They are using their own funds with assistance from some members of the community that have donated food, wood, and cash.

How You Can Help:

If you are in Cozumel, we accept food donations, grocery store gifts cards, supplies, and Cash. We welcome volunteer.

If you are out of the country, our friends at The Cozumel Sun are accepting donations, they will absorb the Papal Fees and pay the taxes on your donations. They will forward donation to us in the form of a grocery gift cards for us, even buy the medications for you.

They will provide us and you with copies of the receipts and a picture of the transaction. You may make a general donation to be distributed as needed or specify for Brenda´s Community Kitchen.

Giving is simple, go to Our Web Page https://www.thecozumelsun.com/ the PayPal Button is at the bottom left of the home page.

The Cozumel Sun

Update May 12, 2020

Thanks to our readers The Cozumel Sun has delivered $13,600 pesos in food gift cards for the community kitchens food this week! alone!!! We also supplied insulin and syringes for one of Brenda´s neighbors. Let us keep Cozumel going! Let us pull together and donate! keep giving to Cozumel!

Donate to one of the charities that we feature or to the Cozumel Sun. The Cozumel Sun´s focus is to support the local community.

We have supported local families before the COVID-19 Crisis with help from our readers. In addition to the nine kitchens we are featuring across the island, we provide food, purchase medications, assists with medical expenses, buy medications, and help pay emergency expenses!

God Bless all of you already giving!

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Cozumel, Mexico Crematorium

San José Funeral Company has begun the construction of a crematorium and columbarium. A columbarium is a place for storage of cinerary urns (those holding a deceased’s cremated remains). The Company owned by Román Canto Escalante.

The construction is advancing at a rapid pace. Until now, this type of service was not available in Cozumel. Those who died from COVID-19 and other illnesses had to be taken to the city of Playa del Carmen to be cremated..

This service is now a necessity due to the coronavirus deaths. The city council and the state government have authorized the construction of the crematorium. All the necessary permits are in place.

The crematorium and columbarium is located on “ Avenida Claudio Canto Anduce Entre 65 en calle Saramullo y Caimito de la colonia Huertos Familiares.¨

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Carnival Cruise Lines CANCELED CRUISES

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, we regret to inform our guests that Carnival Cruise Line is having to cancel the following sailings:

San Francisco sailings through 2020

All Carnival:

Sunrise sailings through and including October 19, 2020

Legend sailings through and including October 30, 2020

Radiance sailings through and including November 1, 2020

Spirit Alaska, Hawaii, & Trans-Pacific sailings through and including October 6, 2020

Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, Carnival Elation, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Magic, Carnival Sensation, & Carnival Vista sailings through and including July 31, 2020

All Other Ships sailings through and including August 31, 2020

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