Cozumel News January 23, 2021

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Cozumel News January 23, 2021: State Traffic Light January 25 – 31 – Orange but Yellow – Predial & Basura Discounts Continue – You Can Help Cozumel Survive the Pandemic – and more.

State Traffic Light January 25 – 31

The Northern section of Quintana Roo is now in the ORANGE Traffic Light. This includes the cities of Tulum, Solidaridad, Cozumel, Puerto Morales, Benito Juárez, Lázaro Cárdenas, and Isla Mujeres.

Under the ORANGE Traffic Light, establishments must return to 30% occupancy. In addition, schools, bars, cantinas, night clubs, discotheques, convention centers, etc. must remain closed.

The fault has been placed on the neighboring Municipalities. They have had an alarmingly increasing numbers of infections, hospitalizations, and deaths.

According to the daily reports, Cozumel is maintaining. As a result, Municipal President Pedro Joaquin requested and received a waiver for Cozumel will remain in the YELLOW Traffic light. Subsequently, during this next period NOTHING is to change in Cozumel.

Cozumel News January 23, 2021 Continued

Commentary: Orange but Yellow

Pedro Joaquin made a radio announcement yesterday afternoon that the change is not to affect Cozumel. He praised the island residents for maintaining the numbers low. Likewise, he encourages citizens to continue following the mandatory safety protocols.

Joaquin stated that the Ferry Companies have agreed to limit the number of passengers on a ferry. Approximately 630 passengers will now be allowed to board, instead of 800 passenger capacity.

Meanwhile, a family member traveled to Chetumal, yesterday. The ferries and buses that he rode to and from the Capitol were packed with passengers.

The Facts

Most important, our state has been making its own rules to calculate the traffic light.  According to the federal guideline, our state has been in the orange traffic light for months. It will be interesting to see if we will be considered RED next week by federal standards.

For example, think of the number of persons traveling to and from the mainland to work daily. Think of the number of tourists coming to and from the mainland. These people are all facing possible contamination on the mainland.

As far as the ferry companies are concerned, there have been numerous promises made during the pandemic. However, they have never followed through.

Municipal President Joaquin mentioned the new federal mandate that all must wear facemasks in the United States. He bragged that facemasks have been mandatory in Cozumel since last May. However, if authorities do not enforce this directive, for fear of losing tourists, it is useless.

According to numerous observers, tourists are not being fined for not wearing face masks. As a result, tourists have been seen around Cozumel without facemasks and not observing a social distance.

In conclusion, I believe that by not enforcing the regulations accompanying the ORANGE traffic light, and not enforcing wearing facemasks and social distancing, we will also see the number of infections and deaths increase.

No Backup

Cozumel has limited beds, equipment, and trained personnel. Our backup plan is the mainland. However, the mainland is currently are approaching zero capacity at the hospitals. If Cozumel follows suit and has another wave of infections, we will have no backup.

I urge all of you to stay on guard. Take all precautions. Stay at home, unless you absolutely must go out. We must continue to keep disinfecting surfaces, washing hands frequently, and using disinfectant. Wearing your mask, disinfecting your hands, and social distancing are manducatory in Cozumel!

Light at the end of the Tunnel

There is finally a light at the end of the tunnel! The vaccine is around the corner. I will keep you updated as vaccination progresses.

Answer to a frequently asked Question:

The CURFEW is midnight to 5 a.m. daily.

Aurita´s Cozumel Corner

The bad news just keeps coming. A few years ago I reported the death of my good friend Isabel Flores. She is pictured here on the left. I was just informed that we have also lost her sister and friend Guadalupe Flores. She is pictured on the right. She succumbed to COVID-19 last Saturday January 8th.

Guadalupe died in Mexico City where she moved to after Isabel´s death. She loved Cozumel, but could not afford to stay here on her Social Security income. Furthermore, she had unresolved health issues and no insurance. One of her children in Mexico City was going to enroll her under his IMSS health insurance. The plan was for her to return and join my household once her health needs were resolved. Then COVID-19 came.

I have known them both for the fifteen years I have been on the island. Greater friends you could not ask for. Both sisters took turns caring for me when I was hospitalized. They were part of my extended Mexican family. May they rest in peace.

Cozumel News January 23, 2021 Continued

Predial & Basura Discounts Continue

New! The Cozumel Sun Listing of U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexcico

How You Can Help Cozumel Survive the Pandemic

• Visit any of the Community kitchens in Cozumel.
• Drop off a supermarket gift card, food, or cash.
• Volunteer to help, serve, shop, or clean.
• Donate through the Club Rotario de Cozumel or Fundación de Cozumel. Specify the money is for the kitchens at PayPal account www.paypal.me/FundacionCozumel.
• Donate through The Cozumel Sun Paypal Account and specify the money is for the community kitchen.

The Cozumel Sun Community Assistance

Papeleria Novedades Mama Lilly

Serving the Cozumel Community for 15 years

Drop in Meals, Groceries, Medical Emergencies, Medicine,  Clothing,  School Supplies, Tuitions, Testing Fees, Shelter Repairs, Business Training and Start-Up, Christmas & Three Kings Day Gifts for children.

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

We function ON DONATIONS ONLY. Please lend your support. Help us continue to serve the people of Cozumel. During the Pandemic, our resources have been extended to the Community Kitchens that are feeding hundreds in Cozumel.