The heart of Ajijic, where artists and artisans coexist, today is empty.
Sofía Medeles/Domingo M. Flores (Ajijic, Jal.).- If you drive through Ajijic you see closed signs on the gallery of the painter Jesús López Vega, the textile crafts store of Sofía Marquez, the Fiaga Ajijic workshop, the shop where Bruno Mariscal works with his father and the restaurants where Daniel Tejeda entertained patrons with songs at his keyboard. Even the Heart of Ajijic gallery, where many artists and artisans coexist, is empty.
The have succumbed to the now obligatory home confinement in the State of Jalisco due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The confinement order has helped keep Chapala free of confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far, but it has caused economic havoc in the business community. It is the art sector in Ajijic, cradle and home of many creators, that has been most affected in Lakeside. Semanario Laguna talked with artists in Ajijic to see how they are faring.
The renowned painter Jesús López Vega, one of the pioneers in Ajijic’s artistic movement, called the local artist economy an “alarming situation”. He said that, «Many of my clients returned to the United States because they began to close borders, so art sales dropped noticeably».
He was somewhat relieved that the pandemic arrived at the end of the high season in the Chapala Lakeside, which cushioned the economic blow for artists. If COVID-19 had arrived in Mexico in winter — high season in Ajijic, it would have been even more devastating. «The start of the pandemic began more or less at the time when the art sale season begins to wind down in Ajijic, although in Easter season sales are usually steady,” Vega said, “but nothing has been sold since then». Fortunately, he added, “I have a job in a home decorating business and I have been able to carry on». Vega firmly believes that with the cooperation of everyone the health problem will not worsen.
For Sofía Márquez, who has her own artisan clothing brand and owns Fiaga Boutique in the heart of Ajijic, it has been difficult to cope with this situation, especially since she has a team that helps her produce and sell her clothing. “I gave the girls a month’s salary, but this month it is going to end», she told Semanario Laguna. “There is no way to continue supporting them because there are no sales, the store is closed and there is no income». Sofia added.
Her expectations are not the best for the following months. «The truth is I expect more bad news and an economic crisis because there are no resources, there are no tourists and there is no job. I feel that this will last until the end of the year, and currently my husband is the one who takes care of our needs», she said.
Artist and musician Bruno Mariscal Jr. is very aware of the economic impact on the community, since the Easter holiday season is usually a strong income season for merchants and artists like him, as tourists are good art buyers. Bruno’s income currently comes from the business where he works with his father on Marcos Castellanos street, a few meters from the main square. «We continue to offer printing as well as the production of merchandise with the image of Ajijic, and I also create artistic works from home, hoping that they will popular», said the young man.
Bruno understands that the pandemic is serious but he doubts that people will remain in confinement for the two months recommended by the authorities (April and May). The young artist gave Semario Laguna a message of hope and unity to send: » I would like to ask that all of us as a nation become aware and take care of ourselves, go out only as necessary and follow the rules of care. It depends on us as a society to ensure that this ends soon and does not unleash a greater tragedy».
Daniel Tejeda, singer in the versatile group «Sol y Luna», is in a more difficult situation. His income depends on his musical performances, which have been canceled until further notice.
«They have canceled all the performances. Music is my only work, doing solo acts in several restaurants, which have already closed», said Daniel. He is now supported by his daughters who currently cannot visit him due to the health emergency now in phase three, the most critical of the pandemic. «We as artists are not helped by the government or the bosses», he adds, noting that there is no safety net for musicians. (translated by Patrick O’Heffernan)
A vegetable stall offered its products on Wednesday April 15 in the Ajijic street market, which has resumed activities as have some other businesses in the municipality. Photo: Adán Zamora.
Sofía Medeles/Domingo M. Flores (Ajijic, Jal.).- At least 10 food stalls and fruits and food merchants reopened in the Ajijic tianguis after a government ordered suspension, but found few customers. The government had ordered the market to close two weeks ago to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Less than a dozen merchants returned on two Wednesdays, April 8 and 15, to a virtually empty Revolution Street location where freshly harvested fruits and vegetable stalls are usually packed. The merchants practiced the mandated health protocols, including sanitizer gels and social distancing but waited in vain for customers.
The tianguistas received an official letter from the authorities informing them that food vendors could return to work, excluding those who sold products that were not considered basic necessities. The letter only applied to local vendors; merchants from other municipalities were excluded. Merchants are required to wear masks and maintain proper social distance both between employees and their customers as well as use antibacterial gel, sanitize their work areas, among other actions recommended by the authorities.
The owner of a taco stand, Mrs. Alicia anguished that «I had to practically drug myself to restock after having spent a month without working and then the sales just did not happen».
To know:
The suspension and then resumption of the activity of the tianguis was carried out throughout the municipality of Chapala.
(translated by Patrick O’Heffernan)
The public areas of the municipality have been closed.
Manuel Jacobo (Chapala, Jal).- In its Thursday, April 23, briefing the municipality of Chapala reported no confirmed cases of Covid-19 virus and, no cases of dengue fever. At that day in total, 254 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the state of Jalisco.
Seventeen cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Health Region IV -four in Jamay, seven in Ocotlán, four more in Tizapán el Alto, one in La Barca and one more in Poncitlán- however, Chapala registered only two suspected cases of Covid-19, both of which tested negative.
However, a Chapalense residing in the United States has died from the virus. Salvador Rodriguez Medina, 47 years old -a 17 years resident of Santa Ana, California-, succumbed to Covid-19 on April 13 in the US. Additionally, an Ajijic woman and her spouse now living in Santa Ana California, home to a large community of Jalisco and Michoacán-born residents, are also reportedly fighting disease.
Miguel Zermeño Castillo, Regional Director of Jalisco’s dengue vector control program told Semanario Laguna that to date there have been no infections in the municipality of Chapala, but that -as a prevention- there were 180 ovitraps used to trap mosquitoes and collect their eggs to maintain surveillance. Castillo reported to local officials last October that the program had found no dengue at that time. In addition, the City Council of Chapala has started a campaign, to reduce the mosquito population by removing breeding areas, and if necessary, use fumigation to reduce the risk of contagion in the municipality. (translated by Patrick O’Heffernan)
People with chronic degenerative diseases have an increased the risk of death up to ten times if they carry the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which produces the disease known worldwide as COVID-19.
Manuel Jacobo/Domingo M. Flores (Chapala, Jal).- Almost a quarter of the population registered in the municipalities of Chapala and Jocotepec are diabetics, obese, hypertensive or suffer from kidney damage, cancer or other chronic diseases. This puts their risk of death if they contract COVID-19 approximately 10 times that of the rest of the population, according to data provided by the Decentralized Public Organ (OPD) of Jalisco Health Services.
The OPD reports that the population of Jocotepec, 46,521 in the 2015 INEGI Census, is the most vulnerable with 9,934 people -21.13 percent of the total population – suffering from a chronic degenerative disease. The municipality of Chapala, population 50,738, has 9,434 people who suffer chronic-degenerative diseases, 19 percent of the population. These percentages increased in the two Lakeside municipalities from 2010 to 2015. At the end of 2019, Chapala showed an increase of 27 percent in diabetics with 3,404 cases, from 2,469, and Jocotepec reported 3,562 diabetics, up from 1,918, an increase of forty-six percent.
Hypertension has also increased in the two municipalities: Jocotepec has seen a 44% increase, 3,854 patients from 2,212 in the same period. Chapala’s increase was smaller 15 %, from 3,273 to 3,854 patients with high blood pressure. However both municipalities saw a decrease in kidney failure. Chapala went from 73 in 2018 to 58 in 2018, a decrease of 21 percent. Jocotepec saw a decrease of 48 percent, from 27 cases in 2018 to 14 in 2019. Some experts doubt these figures due to the high incidence of this type of disease in the Lake Chapala area and no governmental or private institution has accounted for it.
According to the University of Guadalajara (UdeG) website «Jalisco After Covid-19», three additional factors make Lakeside citizens vulnerable to fatal COVID-19 infections: epidemiological profile of the population, lack of infrastructure and personnel for their care, and inequality in access to health services. This is evident at the Community Hospital of Jocotepec, one of the three hospitals in the region designated to receive seriously ill patients with coronavirus. The hospital has only three automatic ventilators to attend to seriously ill patients from neighboring municipalities such as Chapala, Jamay, Ocotlán and La Barca, among eight others who need to be intubated. Hospital officials have said they are trying to obtain more equipment. (translated by Patrick O’Heffernan).
Until April 30 the sale of intoxicating drinks in the municipality will be prohibited.
Miguel Cerna.- The Municipal Government of Jocotepec has banned the sale of alcohol from April 9 until April 30 or until further notice. The government has notified establishments that the sale of alcoholic beverages of any strength will be prohibited in all businesses in the lakeside municipality.
In a letter issued on the April , the Municipality notified restaurants, liquor stores, supermarkets, grocery stores and small markets of the new measure that seeks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in society. Known in English as The Dry Law in Jocotepec, the letter follows the actions dictated by both the Federal Government and the State of Jalisco. The letter adds that «we as a municipality have to comply responsibly,» although neither the state or the Federal governments have made this measure effective.
The ban also contrasts with the neighboring municipality of Chapala, where its President Moisés Alejandro Anaya Aguilar ruled out the implementation of the «Dry Law» and only its marketing was restricted to essential lines such as groceries until 7:00 p.m. .
If the prohibition on the sale of alcoholic beverages is not respected in Jocotepec during the established period, the municipal authority warned it may impose fines, administrative sanctions and even the closure of shops.
(translated by Patrick O’Heffernan)
Gift certificate.
Patrick O’Heffernan (Ajijic) Economic growth estimates have been lowered by both public and private economists who report that, depending the course of Coronavirus (CV-19) in Mexico, as many as 18 million jobs could be at risk. Hardest hit will be the informal sector – small businesses, entrepreneurs and micro/street vendors, according to a BBVA economic analysis.
These impacts are apparent now in Lakeside. A stroll through the quiet streets of Ajijic or San Juan Cosala or even Jocotepec and Chapala makes it obvious that small businesses are hurting.
Several local businesses are offering gift certificates to bring in immediate cash. One example, Casa Domenech restaurant in Ajijic, is closed but encourages clients to buy certificates through PayPal and sends them an electronic certificate they can print at home or show on their phones when the restaurant reopens. Others provide certificates at their location for cash.
Ajijic resident Michael Searles has announced a regional program, Apollo 2020, to enable any Lakeside business to sell gift certificates, with the Apollo Program handling the financial transfers and certificate delivery. The program is open to all small businesses in the Lake Chapala area.
“We hope all expats will help to support their favorite merchants during this difficult time and show them our appreciation for welcoming us into their community,” said Searles of the program
A gift certificate will be customized for each business; Siker Publicidad Y Diseño will produce the certificates at a reduced price. Businesses will number each gift certificate, add customer information, enter the denomination and sign it.
Roberto Serrano, owner of the Plazapato shoe stores, has set up a free delivery service of local youths working with strict virus preventative measures like masks and gloves to bring the certificates direct to the purchasers and collect payment.
Businesses can contact Roberto Serrano at WhatsApp 33 1428 (or via email at serravila9@gmail.com) or Michael Searles at 376-766-0826 (or via email at mbemsea@gmail.com) to participate in the program.
Masks made by volunteers for Operation Feed in San Jun Cosala.
Patrick O’Heffernan (Ajijic.) During the C-19 coronavirus many Lakeside organizations have come forward to help people who have lost jobs or income or who are sick. This list is by no means exhaustive and new efforts pop up every day, but it demonstrates the depth and breadth of generosity in the Lakeside area and offers opportunities to those who would like to help.
Operation Feed in San Juan Cosala, a town hit very hard by unemployment by the virus is providing food despensas for those who would go hungry without them. They are collecting food and medicine and money for needy families at http://www.operationfeedsjc.org/donate.html.
Super La Huerta market in west Ajijic collects food for needy Mexican families and assembles despensas of food, masks, and basic home supplies for families. Anyone who would like to help is invited to stop by with donations. The stores is at Carretera Pte. 248, 45920 Ajijic; phone number is 376 766 4590
The Recovery and Rehabilitation Center for Alcoholism and Drug Addiction in Chapala is going from door to door throughout Lakeside collecting food for patients in Chapala. People who don’t have sealed bags of rice or beans or other suitable foods can give cash.
Casa Mayabela Test Kitchen is helping families with Smoke for Hope, a freshly-cooked food provision program that provides highly nutritious and delicious meals to families in need. Round 2 of Smoke and Hope was able to feed 9 families last week. Owner Karl Gerzand is now receiving donations from Mexico, Europe and the US and gearing up for Round 3. Donations can be made to CasaMayabela.com. Two hundred pesos feeds a family.
Programma de Niños Incapacitados, which helps disabled children and their families through its three clinics where families come for advice and reimbursement of medical costs. The organization is currently helping between 150 and 200 families, many of whom have children with compromised immune systems. They have not yet had to deal with families hit by the virus but know it is likely, and will develop an alternative process because they had to close their three clinic-offices. Instead, for the time being they gave families enough cash for 2 months. Due to the virus Niños cannot produce its annual gala fundraising event and must raise $ 500,000 pesos in a capital campaign to continue for many more months, especially if Coronavirus reaches families they help. People who want to donate to Niños Icapaciados can go to https://www.programaninos.com/
Foodbank Lakeside has been one of the most active organizations, working with Mexican and Ex-pat volunteers, other charities and small local stores to create weekly care packages for needy families. Last week they provided $71,588 worth of food for 210 families in Ajijic, San Antonio Tlayacapan, Santa Cruz and San Pedro. They are now working in San Nicolas and Mezcala and assembling teams for Chapala. They operate on donations which can be made to : https://paypal.me/pools/c/8o0ufezDh4. Follow them on Facebook for credit card donations and volunteer opportunities.
Facebook groups and individual accounts are coming alive with opportunities to help. An example is Noemi Beltran’s Facebook page which organizes Solidarity Care Packages to meet basic needs with toilet paper, dry goods, canned foods, vegetables and other items plus 200 pesos cash to families hit hard by the COVID-19. Each package costs about $1,000 pesos and can be a lifeline for a family in need. Donations can go to www.PayPal.me/NoemiBeltranLo; the food packages are delivered from the Abastos market in Guadalajara to the families door.
Finally Government officials in Chapala and Jocotepec are donating a part of their salaries to efforts to feed local families that would go hungry otherwise. They are working with local charities to purchase and distribute food, masks, and other necessities.
Dr. Santiago Hernandez, M.D., Medical Director of Chapala Med.
Patrick O’Heffernan (Ajijic)- HispanicPro’s Webinar “What Latinos Need to Know About Coronavirus and their Health” was aired live on Wednesday from Chicago. Dr. Santiago Hernandez, M.D., Medical Director of Chapala Med and RMC Hospital was joined by Emergency Physician Dr. Pilar Ortega M.D., and Geraldine Luna, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago. The Zoom webinar was attended by people in the US and Mexico by internet and telephone and was in English.
Dr. Ortega, who chairs the Medical Organization for Latino Advancement, explained that Latinos need to understand that Covid-19 infections grow exponentially every day: “Covid-19 is more contagious than any virus we have seen.” Dr. Luna echoed this, noting that models show a single person can infect 59,495 other people if they do not isolate themselves. “We need to flatten the curve and staying home reduces fatalities and flattens the curve,” she said.
Dr. Santiago noted that the infection numbers in Mexico were low, but possibly underreported. He understood that many in the Mexican community may not be taking the virus seriously and think it is like the H1N1 flu, which it is not.
“People in Mexico have big families and are very social; they have a hard time saying “no” to request for visits or family gatherings, “ Dr. Hernandez said, adding “ It is hard to isolate big families in Mexico – it is who we are. Unfortunately, our cultural norms that give us our identity may harm us.” He suggested that Mexican families say” no” to visits by explaining it is a way to protect the family.
The panel recommended frequent handwashing, noting that disinfectant gels are only 70% effective while thorough handwashing is 90% effective. The also refused to recommend any of the drugs now big promoted as cures saying that staying home is the best preventative. The panel also recommended wearing cloth masks when you leave the house, although they are not perfect and should not give us a false sense of confidence.
Dr. Santiago told the audience that this is a unique time in world history, “it will change our world and our mindset, he said, “I am grateful every day to be alive and not sweat the small stuff or the numbers and focus on the hopeful stories.”
Business closed before COVID 19
Patrick O’Heffernan (Ajijic).- The mayor of Jalisco issued an order Thursday afternoon closing down all non-essential businesses. The order listed 32 types of non-essential including liquor stores, offices and hotel. Restaurants are not on the list, but restaurant owners are reporting they are closing also, including stopping take-out.
There is now no live music in Lakeside. Musicians and venues are responding by going online. Ray Domenech of Casa Domenech is livestreaming the Hoping for the Best Tour of online jazz concerts. Daniel Cordero has started the One Man (social distancing) Band 30-day challenge, posting a song a day. Lakesider Ginetta Silvi, currently in New York, is live streaming jazz on Facebook. Guitarists/singers Beto Moreno and Chris Cuevas Ibarra are posting live videos. The Lakeside Entertainment Facebook Group is posting notices of livestream music and entertainment videos.
Many galleries have been closed already, hard hit by tourist travel restrictions and the return home of Ex-pats to keep their health benefits. Some galleries and artists are shifting online, like Cathy Chalvignac, Sacha Phariss and photographer Maureen. Guadalajara-based singer/artist Jaramar has recently launched an online art auction on Facebook.
Grocery stores, Walmart, Superlake, and most tiendas that sell food and drink are open, but some street vendors and food carts ae beginning to close down. The official Decree, titled Extraordinary Actions to Address the Health Emergency Generated by the SARS-COV2 Virus, was published March 31, 2020, in the Official Gazette of the Federation. The Mayor’s Thursday announcement can be found at https://bit.ly/2wXWPDz
Photo: Cortesía.
Patrick O’Heffernan (Ajijic).- US Ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau went on Facebook Live on March 31, at 3:30 p.m. to discuss the most recent Department of State travel advice for U.S. citizens in light of COVID-19 and to answer questions from US citizens currently in Mexico. He was joined by the Counsel General and other staff.
Ambassador Landau pointed out that the Embassy and the 9 US consulates in Mexico were operating with reduced staff and they were also in lock-down so some functions had been suspended and others would take longer than usual. The primary message from the Ambassador was for Americans who did not live permanently in Mexico or did not intend to stay indefinitely to go home, now.
“If you are a tourist in Mexico, it is time to go home,” he said, “the State Department has issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory for the whole world. Please return home unless you intend to stay in Mexico.” He continued, “If you are a resident in Mexico, think long and hard about your personal situation,” he advised, “ where your support network is located There is no right or wrong answer.”
He also told participants that Americans returning home should have no trouble getting through the border either by land or by air, unless they had symptoms, in which case they may be examined or quarantined. He could not predict whether or not Mexican authorities would allow Americans to enter Mexico. He noted that Medicare does not cover Americans in Mexico and that some insurance companies have added riders to their policies eliminating care or paid travel to the US for treatment in the case of Coronavirus. He urged Americans in Mexico to review their insurance policies and to enroll in the State Department’s STEP program at https://step.state.gov to receive information updates.
The live stream, which was interrupted to fix audio problems, was recorded and can be accessed at the Embassy’s Facebook Page at https://bit.ly/2Uy5Hc3. The embassy will respond to emailed questions at ACSMexicoCity@state.gov as time and staff allow.
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