Cozumel News July 18, 2020

Follow me

The Cozumel Sun News Update: Bicycle Lanes on Melgar, Quintana Roo Governor Carlos Joaquin Tests Positive for Covid-19, Campaign to Crack Down on Protocol Violators, Orange Semaforo next week, Hospital and Medical Capacity, Curfew, Tourists must obey our Protocols, and more….

Bicycle Lanes on Melgar

Bicycle lanes (pictured) have been added to Melgar Avenue. The lane closest to the waterfront has been converted. There is one single lane for traffic and two-way traffic bicycle lanes.

I understand that it goes all the way to the northside of the island. There is anticipation of accidents caused by the confusion of bicycles traveling in both directions on the same side of the road. Additional complaints include potential traffic jams, and the inability to park on the oceanfront side of the road.

As far as I know the citizens were not forewarned of these changes. Since I am confined to the house because of my age and health, I cannot go out there and investigate. Tell me what is happening out there readers!

Cozumel Municipal President´s Update

Cozumel Friday, July   17 –  State Municipal President Pedro Joaquin D. addressed the Cozumel this afternoon.  This is a synopsis of the roughly 35-minute speech. After the usual greeting, he expressed get well wishes for a fast recovery to our Governor Carlos Joaquin.

Get well Governor Carlos Joaquin

The Quintana Roo Governor made a public announcement on Thursday that he tested positive for COVID-19. President Pedro Joaquin spoke to him personally that day and reported that he is stable, feeling well, and has not felt any aggressive effects of the virus.

Campaign to Crack down on Violators

Between the 20 and 26 of July they are mounting an important campaign in coordination with the State of Q. Roo. This campaign is particularly important in that it is to raise awareness in the population; that it is obligatory to use facemasks and keep a safe distance while in the public.

There will be some 50 youths wearing Yellow jackets in 15 different areas of the city. These are places in town that have been most abused by the population in not following the new norm regulations and rules.

People out exercising must have their masks visible! It is understandable when doing heavy exercising you cannot wear a mask. However, you must put on your mask immediately after. Also, masks must be available to wear if you come in contact and interact with another person. I understand that the yellow jackets are already all over town starting early!

The goal of this program is that we all come together as a community to take care of our health against COVID-19. Please cooperate with members of the Municipality and State that are working together for our safety.

Next Week´s ¨Semaforo¨

In the coming week of July 17 through July 26 the Southern zone of State of Quintana Roo is still RED.

The Northern tourist Zone that includes Cozumel will remain in Orange.  He touched on some of the restrictions under the Orange Semaforo and reminded businesses could only operate at 30% capacity.

Hospital and Medical Capacity

As per today´s report, we have 51 active cases in Cozumel. The hospital occupancy is at 64%. There have been 24 fatalities. He once again stressed that we cannot reach maximum capacity at the hospitals.  

Independently of counting hospital beds, we must also consider the medical capacity. How many doctors and nurses are on hand that trained to handle ICU patients? The shortage of trained medical personnel will lead to failure to receive the quality of care needed. Lack of proper care will lead to more fatalities.

Plan B

There is a backup plan to use Playa del Carmen and Cancun hospitals if necessary. However, their hospitals are at 40% capacity. We do not want to have to transport patients to Playa. We must make a stand and follow safety measures to ensure that this does not happen.

Everyone must wash their hands constantly, sanitize surfaces, wear facemasks outside of their homes while in public and keep safe distancing to survive this Pandemic.

Do Not Touch!

Avoid Contact with others. The President is still encountering people that want to greet him by shaking hands, hugging, or kissing him. This is prohibited! Please stop. Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Hello, or Good Evening is a sufficient greeting. We must avoid human contact as much as possible.

Same Curfew

Safe distancing, sanitation, and facemasks are still a must! We must follow the safety protocols that we put in place last March.  The Curfew maintains from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily. There are no changes.

Fines & Imprisonment

The City of Cozumel has permission to sanction those that are in violation of these protocols. There are people that are not following basic simple things like washing hands and wearing facemasks. Do not be doing foolishness like not wearing masks or sneezing and coughing on people on purpose. We are sanctioning violators per our authority with fines up to $2,000 pesos and up to 36 hours of incarceration. PLEASE we do not want it to get to this, follow the laws and protect the health of everyone.

Critics now Following our Measures

The same measures that Cozumel has implemented since the beginning of the Pandemic, that have been criticized by politically motivated people are now being implemented by those same people in their own municipalities and states. Throughout the country they are following the protocols that we (Cozumel) set.

Tourism

We need tourism, we need more tourism. To maintain and grown our tourism we must maintain our cases of COVID-19 low. The hotel occupancy is growing daily. That is good news. There are also some movements in the marinas. We are making slow progress and must do everything possible not to return to the status we were in April or May.

We need everyone’s cooperation. If we fail to stop the increasing number of cases, we will unfortunately fall into the Semaforo RED. This will diminish the number of tourists that arrive on the island.

The Ferries

The Municipal President addressed the progress made with the different authorities to ensure that the two terminals and Ferry Companies follow the safety protocols.  They have allowed Municipal personnel at both terminals to greet the passengers and remind them of the obligations of safe distancing, wearing masks, and hygiene protocols while visiting Cozumel.

Thanks to the cooperation of the Local, State, and Federal Government the terminals and ferries are now in compliance of the safety protocols. He thanked the citizens of Cozumel that reported the violations as well as the private companies of Winjet and Ultramar for their cooperation.

It is important that we learn to live with this Pandemic. We must understand the importance of following all the protocols.  Remember that COVID-19 is very contagious and deadly. It is ultimately dangerous to the vulnerable population such as seniors, and those with preexisting conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, obesity etc. These people are still directed to stay at home for their safety.

Questions and Answer

Tourists Must Obey our Protocols

The laws and mandates are for both LOCALS and VISITORS in Cozumel. He told of a visit to Caleta Marina were many staff also complained about the difficulty in getting the tourists to wear the masks. Unfortunately, he explained in the United States, more than Mexico, wearing masks has been politicized. There are many American tourists that do not want to wear them; it is important that we insist.

There is no exception from the airport to the ferry terminal at Playa del Carmen there are signs informing everyone that facemasks are mandatory.

If the tourist is sitting alone in their hotel enjoying the sun, that is fine, we are not going to interfere. However, every time that there is interaction with another person, a facemask must be worn. When one person takes care of themselves, they are caring for all of us. It is our responsibility to inform tourists that for everyone’s safety the protocols must be followed.

He ended by stating that he understands that people go crazy and want to interact with their friends, but PLEASE avoid this at all cost. This has been a difficult year for families, but we must take care of our health.

There have been youths that are unknowingly contagious and visit their parents and grandparents and unfortunately infect those that are at the greatest risk. We must follow the directives and take care of ourselves!

Cozumel News July 18, 2020 Continued

Keep informed on the COVID-19 related news in Cozumel, Mexico by joining The Cozumel Sun Facebook Group! We will post VERIFIED information as it is confirmed.

Aurita´s Cozumel Corner

Thank you supporters of The Community Kitchens & The Cozumel Sun (TCS)! The light at the end of the tunnel for the most of Cozumel seems to get farther and farther.We need all the help we can get! Many have lost their medical insurance now, as a result, we are also struggling to assists with medications and medical costs.

Medications & Medical Supplies Needed

We were successful in finding a home for all the medicine that I listed last issue. We also donated a wheelchair, nebulizer, diapers, two therapy electrode sets, diabetic insulin and syringes, and other medical supplies. Pictured are some of the items we donated. However, we kept a few bottles of Lantus Insulin just in case someone else might need it.

Most important, TCS and both Brenda and Jorge´s community kitchen are coordinating to assist individuals in need of medications. We have a long list of medications that are needed urgently. If you have unused, unexpired medication that you wish to donate please send it our way. We also need adult diapers. Donations to the Community Fund will be greatly appreciated.

How You Can Help:

If you are in Cozumel: A supermarket gift card, food, or cash donation are accepted. 

If you are out of Cozumel: You may designate donations to TCS, Brenda’s Kitchen, or Jorge´s Kitchen. Send your donations to the Cozumel Sun´s PayPal account. You may designate that your donation is distributed between two or all three projects. The Cozumel Sun will cover the 16% IVA taxes.

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

Colonia Emilio Zapata Community Kitchen

In Charge: Brenda Briceño Can – 987-119-5943.  Location: 12 Ave. Norte Entre Calles 75 y 80, Cozumel, México.  Services: Approximately 100 FREE Meals to Go. When:  Monday – Friday 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm. Meals delivered to seniors and other weekend deliveries. 

The Cozumel Sun Community Assistance

We are providing ¨drop in¨ assistance in our immediate and surrounding neighborhoods. For instance, assistance can be in the form of groceries, meals, cash for rent, medicine, etc. We cover the PayPal fees and taxes for the Kitchens and well as file Income taxes on donations received in Mexico, and in the U.S. TCS is a legitimate business. Therefore, we have an RFC number and can provide Facturas. As a result of the Pandemic, our normal fundraising methods are out of the question. Donations will be very welcome at this critical time.

Colonia Adolfo Lopez Mateos Community Kitchen

In charge: Jorge Moreno – 987-105-4851. Location: Had to give up location working out of home. Feeding some 25 families that include one or two senior citizens (approx. 100 meals). Services: FREE Meals; Concentrating on delivering meals to seniors. When: Daily. 

The Cozumel Sun News promotes Cozumel Community Programs for FREE in The Cozumel Sun Facebook Group .