Cozumel News February 24, 2021

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Cozumel Sun February 24, 2021: COVID Vaccinations to Start Tomorrow in Cozumel, Cozumel Update, Brenda´s Community Kitchen, Todos Somos Cozumel, The Cozumel Sun Community Programs, and more

COVID Vaccinations to start Tomorrow in Cozumel.

This news just released late last evening. I confirmed it listening to the Municipal President of the radio at noon today. Over the next few days, 50% of the senior population is expected to received the first round of vaccines. The plan is to administer 365 doses per day at each of the three listed government hospitals. This will take place Thursday 25, Friday February 26, and Saturday the 27^th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at three locations.

Scheduled for Citizens

The above schedule indicates the Pfizer vaccine will be administered to seniors over 60 holding voter cards or INE identifications. The schedule divides the population by their INE voter registration card numbers.

Residents will also be Vaccinated

We questioned the Muncipal President and these are his instructions for us: Since we do not have an INE card, you must have your resident card, copy of Domicilio (proof you live here copy of your Utility Bill) and the copy that you are registered for the vaccine. The Municipal President stated without the proof that you are registered and all the other documentation you will NOT be vaccinated. Just to be safe, I am taking my senior card also and copies of all the above!

Where to go

You are to go to ISSTE or IMSS if you are insured there. If you do not belong to any of those two-government institutions, report to General Hospital. At General Hospital, the line will start outside next to the emergency section (backside of the hospital. Likewise, if you are going to IMSS they will be setting up in the parking lot behind the hospital building.

Be Prepared

You are allowed one person to accompany you! They suggest that you eat breakfast, come hydrated and bring water. After administering the injection, they will monitor you for a while to make certain that you have no reaction.

They suggest you come at 6 a.m.!!!! Be prepared for a wait. Gelmy will be accompanying Sharon to General Hospital tomorrow at six. Bartolo will be accompanying me to IMSS at six. See everyone there!

Cozumel Update

The Hardships continue

I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. Not just those that support the Cozumel Sun and the programs that I highlight. Thank you all that also support the many other projects in Cozumel. Together we all help feed, clothe, and nurse back to health these wonderful people of Cozumel.

Working Together

 Everyone is working together, local individuals, businesses, organizations, community kitchens, and churches. Then there are the visitors as they arrive, the former and future visitors, and foreign residents full and parttime. It takes all of us working together to keep our beautiful island going.

The new travel restrictions are making tourism from Canada almost impossible. There is limited tourism from the United States. Many countries are in lockdown, and still no Cruise Ships. Things are harder.

Families have moved in together, unable to afford rent. I have heard of crowding up to 14 members in a room for lack of rental income.   

Trying to Survive

The youngest, healthiest members of these families find work wherever possible. They sell crafts door to door, sell prepared food on Facebook, anything to make ends meet. The seniors, children, and vulnerable members must stay at home to prevent infection. COVID-19 is alive and well and still killing the most vulnerable in Cozumel.

Brenda´s Community Kitchen

By Brenda Briceño Can

DONATING FOOD for our Community

Like every week, the kitchen # 12×80 and its wonderful volunteers are active; we are preparing more than 550 servings of food to benefit more than 100 families for free.

Family and Friends

We started with our own resources, the hands of my mother and my two sisters, serving about 50 people. Soon, it became clear that the needs were great and that we had to prioritize supporting these families. My cousins, aunts, friends, and girlfriends came to our aid. After 11 months and long hours of work and fatigue, we continue to share love, for Cozumel, for our people.  

We are a network of citizens for city. We thank all of you that continue to donate food, supplies, funds, and your time. YOU help us make it happen!

Remember that Saturday and Sunday our volunteers rest to HELP AND SERVE COZUMEL from Monday to Friday from 11a.m. to 3 p.m.

Puritronic Water

Here is an example of it takes all of us coming together. Did you know that Puritronic supplies water to the Cozumel # 12×80, Adolfo Lopez Mateos and Miraflores Community Kitchens completely free of charge? 

For the last 8 months! 250 bottles per month! More than 2000 bottles full of love for people who need it most in Cozumel! …

Todos Somos Cozumel

By Joan Hynes

As highlighted in a prior issue of the Cozumel Sun, the non-governmental organization of Todos Somos Cozumel founded and run by Don Reyes Ramirez continues to bring desperately needed services to Cozumel’s most disadvantaged. The organization focuses on the most vulnerable of the population who are unable to provide or care for themselves. Anyone receiving aid is thoroughly vetted by Don Reyes personally to verify their true situation.

Besides making sure that each recipient has adequate food, clothing and shelter, the organization focuses heavily on medical care, something sorely needed in Cozumel. In our last article we mentioned that Don Reyes was setting up a medical dispensary.

The Medical Dispensary

That goal has been accomplished through generous donations, and the dispensary is being utilized by many who would ordinarily be unable to receive the medical attention they need. The dispensary has a large supply of medicines, primarily donated by the Mexican military from which Don Reyes is a retiree. These medicines are free to anyone with a valid prescription who cannot afford to buy them.

The Medical Personnel

The dispensary has doctors who volunteer their time, including an internist who is there daily, a physical therapist, psychologist, pediatrician, orthopedist, gynecologist, surgeon, and nurse. The cost of a consultation with one of the specialists is $100 pesos if the patient can pay. If not, there is no charge. Obviously, surgeries, even with the surgeon donating his services, would come with a cost for the operating room, anesthesia etc. Don Reyes has established a good relationship with the directors of the public hospitals and is generally able to negotiate a much lower cost for use of their facilities.

Serving the Community

Don Reyes is on call 24 hours a day, and it is not unusual for him to receive a call during the night when there has been an accident or other medical emergency. He not only responds immediately but stays with the family orienting them to what needs to be done and offers to help in providing for it. When there is no family on the island, he continues to attend to the patient as if he were family. He regularly visits his house-bound “patients”, bringing them their food and medicines, and arranging house calls by doctors or arranging for transport to a medical appointment.

How to Donate

Any donation made to Todos Somos Cozumel can be made with complete confidence that it will only be used for those who are the neediest, and often forgotten part of our Cozumel population. If you wish to help, and are not on the island, please contact us for the banking information for Todos Somos Cozumel. If you are in Cozumel, we will be happy to make any arrangements to accept your donation that would be convenient for you. https://www.paypal.me/todossomoscozumelac.

The Cozumel Sun Community Assistance

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.

Medical Equipment Available

We once again have our loaner wheelchair available. We also have a portable bedside toilet available.

Other Medical Supplies

We have an assortment of braces, medical support hose, and miscellaneous medication and supplies in our trusty family locker. Always check with us. Once a year we clean house and donate everything on hand to DIF or another agency to distribute. However, we quickly start accumulating donations and items that our own large extended family collects.

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.

Please consider contributing to Papeleria Mama Lilly through the Cozumel Sun.

Support a Neighborhood Business!
Papeleria y Novedades Mama Lilly
Telephone:   987-869-3119
EMAIL: mapapeleria@outlook.com
09:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Sunday
https://www.facebook.com/papeleriamamalilly/
35 Avenida Sur Entre Calles 17 y 15 Bis
Colonia Independencia (Near Independencia Sports Center)

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

How You Can Help The Community Kitches in Cozumel

• 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.