México is one of the countries that is getting worse everyday in numbers of people who have been infected with the Covid-19 virus and in the number of people who need to be hospitalized. As of June 3, Mexico has reported 101,238 confirmed cases and 12,107 had to be hospitalized.

As a result, México is getting to the point that hospital resources are scarce, there are  less  hospital beds available, and people are  not dying fighting the virus, people are  dying looking for hospitals or somewhere where they can be treated. 

According to the Mexican newspaper El Universal, México is ranked with Colombia and 17 other countries as the worst prepared countries facing this crisis. This newspaper also said that México only has one hospital bed per thousand people.

“Hospitals are running out of materials to help people, and we don´t get any money from the government to get new equipment,” Rafael Pinzon said. ”We weren’t prepared for this crisis. We don’t want all the people to get the virus now because there’s no space for all these people in the hospitals. That’s why (all the doctors) believe that México is going to be one of the last countries to reopen all normal activities and we will still be quarantined until September.”

The social customs of the country make it difficult for its citizens to get  used to to social distancing.

“Here, in México, it’s hard to tell people to stop hugging everyone because it’s something that is in our way to act everytime we see someone else, same as giving a kiss on the cheek if you´re saying hello or goodbye to someone,” Pinzon said. “But people in México need to understand because with a hug or a kiss you can get the virus and you will be looking for a hospital that is saturated by people. If you are an older guy your life can be in trouble, that is why social distancing is so important.” 

Rodrigo Cejudo works for a company that exports meat throughout Mexico. He has still been going to work everyday, even during the quarantine. 

“What we are living right now is something amazing. People aren’t just dying because of the virus, people are dying because they have nothing to eat, no money to pay water or electricity,” he said.  “Those are hard situations. People needed to stop going to work, and now they can’t take any money home, those are hard situations.” 

Cejudo said he is grateful that he has been able to still go to work so that he can provide for his family of five plus three workers who live in his house, but it is all unknown how long before the country will be able to open up businesses or return to social gatherings. 

The Mexican government is preparing a strategy to reactivate the economy in the country that works like the traffic lights. Red (no permits to be outside for anyone), Yellow (permits for the workers who need to work and small reunions are allowed), Green (life goes back to normal this would happen when the country stays one week without any cases.)