Barrios are improvising to keep life going during these days of government curfew. Ingenuity and resourcefulness is evidenced and shared by the media. Many of the people in the communities are refraining from the traditional hugs and kisses, and photographers from media outlets have spotted the elbow bump and the “Namaste” greetings, along with other improvisations.
The media reports on alternatives the population is finding to avoid spreading the disease. In the low-income area of Capotillo, the people are fashioning facemasks using discarded clothing and the odd pieces of cloth. In La Zurza, bay rum and camphor are used to clean hands. In Manganagua people have placed soap dispensers in the colmados and other strategic places.
The biggest worry is, of course, that the disease may find fertile ground to spread in the crowded barrios, as well as the threat of increased crime. Several leaders of communities have requested the government increase patrols and personnel in their areas. Of course, the community leaders are worried about food for the people, and are requesting basic food supplies. The leadership of the Don Bosco barrio has called upon the National Police to be particularly alert and assist areas such as Mejoramiento Social, Villa Maria, 27 February, Loma de Chivo and others in the area. One of the common threads among all of the barrio leaders was their emphasis on the people washing their hands. This marks a major step forward.
Nevertheless, social media alerts and radio talk show hosts are alerting that the barrios have not internalized the dangers and continue to congregate.
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23 March 2020