Cozumel News August 8, 2020

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Cozumel News United Airlines Returning to Cozumel, Cozumel Exodus, Rest Calendar for the Reefs in Cozumel National Park, Club Rotario de Cozumel & Fundacion de Cozumel to the Rescue, Update on Cozumel Community Kitchens, COVID-19 Update , and more!

Cozumel Exodus

Many Families Left the Island

Unemployed and destitute, many families faced eviction from their rented rooms. They sold their belongings and left the island headed for their hometowns in Chiapas, Tabasco, and Veracruz.  There was a huge increase in household items sold on Facebook. I immediately connected the dots and was saddened with the knowledge that these people would someday have to start again from zero.

Brenda Briceño ( Emilio Zapata Community Kitchen) expressed sorrow to see the number of families that stopped by to say goodbye in her immediate neighborhood alone. However, she was able to help them in that transition also.

Brenda’s Cousin Abram works for the Taxi Syndicate in Playa del Carmen. The syndicate sponsored a humanitarian transport to Tabasco, Veracruz, and Chiapas for these families. The Bus ride was free of charge, they only had to raise the money to get to Playa and their food for the long trip home.

The saving grace is at home, they will be moving in with their families, and hopefully have a better chance of survival during the pandemic.

Covid-19 Update

Tidbits from Governor Carlos Joaquin August 6, and Municipal President Pedro Joaquin Delbouis on August 7. Both were repetitive in the warnings, etc.

School will be starting August 24th, via television, internet, telephone, zoom, and any other social media available on the island. There will be Textbooks distributed, details to follow. Students without the above acccess will be given textbooks and workbooks they can follow at home.

The Local college is filled to capacity, many students have been left out. Thse that normally go to the mainland are not doing so because of the Pandemic.

Students entering high school level still in limbo. The entry exams that determine which school they qualify for has still not been admistered. Will have more information next week.

The Curfew in Cozumel stays the same: 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily.

No Liquor sales in Cozumel after five p.m. 7 days per week. (This is not a ban on alcohol in restaurants or hotels, just the take home sales.)

Next Week´s Semaforo

In the coming week of August 10 through August 16, the entire state of Quintana Roo is in the ORANGE.

Everything stays the same for the orange protocol of 30% capacity with one exception.

Per the Marina and Captain of the Port Tourist Nautical   Vessels are now allowed 50% Capacity.

Rest Calendar for the Reefs in Cozumel National Park

The Cozumel Sun News promotes businesses for FREE in The Cozumel Sun Facebook Group !

Cozumel News August 8, 2020 Continued

Aurita´s Cozumel Corner

Thank You for your Support!

Once again, thank all of you that have sent words of encouragement and gratitude and thank you donors that are helping to keep The Cozumel Sun and the Community Kitchens going.

I want to start out by apologizing in advance for not having some last names, and not knowing how to spell some of the first names in this section. MEA Culpa!

Visited by Two Angels

After a sleepless night (one of many), I found solace outback washing clothes. I had shed some tears earlier; I was missing my Charlie and mentally calculating how much money we needed to meet our obligations. It is a delicate balance to keep our commitment to the families we help and support our family of two seniors, two adults, two children, three dogs, four cats, and one turtle. Yep, the old Rob Peter to Pay Paul at work, but not to worry God has always managed to cover our insanity in various miraculous and unexpected ways.

 Sharon awakened me from my thoughts, she said there were two ladies at the door asking for me. For me? Cannot be, I thought to myself, they must want copies made. Sure enough, it was two wonderful angels sent in my time of need.

They thanked me repeatedly for my work with The Cozumel Sun. They explained the value of my articles on the community Kitchen. After reading my articles, they have hooked up with Brenda Briceño. They are helping the Emilio Zapata Community Kitchen and have found additional donors for them.

This brought immediate joy to my heart! Even though my get up and go had left me for the day, I suddenly felt reenergized.

After being in isolation for so many months, I probably talked their ears off! I did not realize how much I missed human contact outside of the family! I did not realize how unhappy I was until they made me happy! As if an answer from God, they even left a cash donation just for The Cozumel Sun.

I am ashamed to say I did not get both their last names. Nevertheless, THANK YOU Rita and Chris for making my day!

My First Excursion out of the house and without Charlie

We celebrated My daughter in Law Gelmy and Youngest daughter Gerilynn’s birthdays. Our family of 9 spent the day at Mr. Sanchos yesterday. All inclusive, great value all you can eat, drink, pool and sea. Excellent service! Perfect fun day for the grandchildren 7,8,9, and 17! It was bitter sweet without my Charlie.

We wore masks, there, upon arrival, removed at our secluded table and ofcourse for water activities. Easily safe distanced in the water and poolside bar. They took temperatures at the entrance and had hand sanitizer. Bring your own hand sanitizer to use throught your stay. They have a two page waiver about COVID-19 that each group must sign.

Bring credentials for excellent local rates! They charged $600 for adults, $500 for adolescents, $400 for children over three. Children under three years of age free.

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

Aurita’s Corner Update August 5, 2020

“I am causing confusion when addressing the number of meals that the community kitchens are serving. Because of social distancing, only one person can come per household. None can be seniors or other vulnerable population. The seniors and others that are considered vulnerable that are unable to come in person, have their meals delivered. I have not been counting the deliveries either.

When I mentioned that they served approximately 100 people, that is the approximate number of people that physically come to the community kitchen to pick up food to go.

The number of meals each person leaves with can vary between 2,3, 4 up to eight meals each, depending on the number of people in their household. It can also fluctuate between 100 to 125 or 130 people daily.”

Things were looking Bad

When I first wrote and started sending donations to The Emilio Zapata Community Kitchen they were in crisis. I underestimated the daily meals that they were serving. At that time, they were serving some 800 meals daily.

We managed to keep Brenda and Jorge’s kitchen going while several the smaller kitchens ran out of money some closed, some were about to close.

Cozumel Community Coming Together

Brenda was recently called back to her normal job at the Peninsula Grand building. She knows a gentleman by the name of Alex Franco that works in the same building.  In a conversation she told him about the work being done at the Community kitchens.

He got all excited and stated that his group was trying to find a way to help people from Cozumel. The Rotary Club had the infrastructure but not the time, all the members are struggling with businesses, etc. Brenda explained that all their resources had run out and they needed the help. Alex Franco promised to speak to the then President of the Cozumel Rotary Club, Ernesto Ramirez.

The Rotary Club of Cozumel and Fundación Cozumel

Brenda met with Alex and Ernesto, representing The Rotary Club de Cozumel and Octavio (need his last name) from Fundación Cozumel.  More angels have arrived! The Rotary Club of Cozumel and Fundación Cozumel are working together to deliver ingredients. They are donating and delivering ingredients to the Community Kitchens twice per month!

As members of The Club Rotario de Cozumel, Lisa* and Ernesto Ramirez made a visit the Brenda’s Emilio Zapata Community Kitchen. Lisa was not thrilled with the use of wood for cooking. Bad for the environment, lungs, smoke, etc.

To help, bless their hearts, Lisa & Ernesto Ramírez (Rock n Java Caribbean Bar & Grill) loaned a used commercial stove to Brenda’s kitchen! Brenda and her family of volunteers are ecstatic!

The stove needed some repairs and in appeared my two angels Chris Dougher and Rita (need her last name). They saw to the needed repairs and we have a beautiful functioning commercial stove. Zeta Gas Jumped on the van wagon and donated two 30 kilo tanks of cooking gas.

The current Situation with Brenda’s Emiliano Zapata Commmunity Kitchen

I had a firsthand report one day this week they served 115 people, and one of the to go packs was for a family of 8! In addition, they delivered to 29 people that were shut in. Let us round it off to four persons per family. 140 times 4 equals approximately 560 people fed that day.

The stove is a heavenly gift. In addition to ingredients, The Club Rotario de Cozumel and Fundación de Cozumel brought over two small stoves to encourage the elimination of cooking with wood. Unfortunately, they have pots called Mama Pots that are for 50-liter pots. They do not work on top of the commercial stove and it would take hours to boil water on the smaller stoves.

They still need to use wood for those large pots. In comparison under $300 pesos worth of wood would cook all the food for an entire week. A 30-kilo tank would probably last two days on the Mama tank!

The 30 kilo large tank runs out of gas every three to four days, it is expensive to refill. It will cost them about 800 to 900 pesos to fill a tank of 30 kilos. (mind you, every four days).

In Between the delivery twice a month from our friends from The Club Rotario de Cozumel and Fundación and Fundacion de Cozumel, we need:

Ingredients for the meals, cooking supplies, cooking gas, wood, and medicine and medical supplies.

Adolfo Lopes Mateos Community Kitchen

Pictured above is poor Jorge Moreno and his wife in isolation celebrating their anniversary while he recuprates. He had an emergency appendectomy at Cozumel General Hospital where he contracted COVID-19. He is recovering and will be back soon!

Brenda Briceño, chef Paola, and others are continuing his preparation and delivery of between 25 to 30 families daily that are either seniors or suffer a dissability. May God watch over them that he may recover and return to us soon!

Here is The Translated Announcement to The Community listing all the Community Kitchens available to them.

Do you need food support?

This is the list of Community kitchens active on the island of Cozumel. Everyone is welcome regardless of religion, political belief, gender, or condition. Please without penalty, reach out to the closest or be our voice with those who do not have social media or mobile devices.

Our locations are neutral points and you are greeted with outstretched hands without any conditions.

Cindy Tec, in the Miraflores neighborhood, Calle Clavell, Mza. 17 lot 01 # 54, Block’s fence house and black gate.

Antonio, 40 Ave. Between 10 and 12, Col. 10 de Abril, white house next to a blacksmith workshop.

Wendy Elizabeth Calle 37 sur between 75 and 80, 5 Houses from Iglesia San Pedro y San Pablo. Col. CTM.

Iglesia Divina Providencia, Ave. 120 con 7 sur, Col Repobladores.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 95 Ave bis between 4 and 6, Col. Emiliano Zapata. Sagrada Corazon Church has started. They are covering the back part of Emilio Zapata and Felix Gonzales.

Chapel San Judas Tadeo, Las Fincas Settlement

Brenda M. Briceño Can On 12th street between 75 and 80. In front of the lonely Doña Chary, Col. Emiliano Zapata.

Remember to wear face masks, come in a convenient state, bring 2 containers with lids, wait your turn, and keep a healthy distance.

Additionally,

the restaurant La Gloria – Botica de Sabores, IQM, senior citizens, female warriors and the health sector also collaborate taking care of specific sectors.

How You Can Help:

Donate in Person

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

Go to any of the listed kitchens drop off your donation and help.

Donate Through The Club Rotario & Fundacion de Cozumel

Donate to the Club Rotario de Cozumel or Fundación de Cozumel and help the kitchens through them. For those who want to support this cause, you can do so through this paypal account: www.paypal.me/FundacionCozumel

Donate to Brenda & Jorge’s Community Kitchen Via TCS

If you are out of Cozumel and wish to designate a donations to Brenda’s or Jorge´s Community Kitchens, you may send your donations to (TCS) The Cozumel Sun´s PayPal account. Our Paypal fees are less than theirs.

Designate where and how your donation is to be distributed. You may split it between Brenda, Jorge, or TCS if you wish. Or you may simply specify “where it is needed”, Food, Medicine, Medical Expenses, or Living Expenses.

Medications & Medical Supplies Needed

TCS and the community kitchens are coordinating to assist individuals in need of medications. If you have unused, unexpired medication that you wish to donate please send it our way. Donations to the Community Fund for medicine, medical costs, and other living expenses such as rents, etc. will be greatly appreciated.

The Cozumel Sun Community Assistance

In Charge: Aura Holguin Resch Mx 987-118-4453 USA 386-445-8702. Location: 35 Ave Sur Entre Calles 17 y 15 Bis, Colonia Independencia. TCS provides on going assistance to individuals in the Cozumel Community as finances allow. The Cozumel Sun functions ON DONATIONS ONLY. Please lend your support. Help us continue to serve the people of Cozumel. We provide¨drop in¨ assistance in our immediate and surrounding neighborhoods. Assistance can be in the form of groceries, meals, cash for living expenses such as rent, medicine, etc.

TCS will absorbs the Paypal fees for all donations and the 16% IVA taxes.

Keep The Cozumel Sun (TCS) Going!

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. OR click on this Paypal Link.

Your Paypal record will serve as a receipt, plus you will get an acknowledgement letter from TCS.

*The Cozumel Humane Society

Anyone that lives in Cozumel knows Lisa Ramirez, not only for her long-time businesses in Cozumel, but also for her passion, The Cozumel Humane Society. She is a one-woman force to be reckoned with when it comes to animal rights, if that is your thing, click on the link above and see how you can help the four-legged babies in Cozumel.