Paraguay: cooperation in times of health emergency
Paraguay: cooperation in times of health emergency
In response to the health emergency caused by COVID-19, Paraguay, which was the first in Latin America to realize the dramatic consequences of the contagion and the ease with which it is transmitted, in accordance with directions coming from the WHO immediately ordered the closure of all borders and a national quarantine until April 12. Since Tuesday, March 10, schools, universities, shopping centers as well as cinemas, bars and restaurants have been closed, and all sports and cultural events have also been suspended.
In addition to the mandatory quarantine for those entering the country, nonresident foreigners have been banned from entering the country. As of March 16, a curfew is in effect from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. local time. Government sources say that to date there are 96 positives, 3 deaths, and 100 swabs being taken daily.
Fueling the tensions is not only the health care issue, Paraguay in fact now risks facing social unrest as well: there is tremendous pressure from entrepreneurs and the self-employed for their businesses to be reopened while doctors, health care personnel, and many citizens are calling for a total lockdown.
Of concern is the fragile, and unprepared, social and health care system, which has always been inefficient and now risks ultimate collapse as it also has to deal with the consequences of Dengue, a tropical infectious disease, which has hit the country in recent months. In this context, ASeS’ commitment to abandoned children continues unabated in absolute compliance with government deliberations to curb the spread of Covid-19.
At the Ñemity Pedagogical Center, where about 10 underage adolescents who are beneficiaries of our social agriculture project “Let’s Build a Decent Future” remain, the others have been placed in the care of educators who have taken charge of a young person in their home, there are fortunately no cases of positivity. Despite the distance imposed by the government, daily contacts continue, and a system for frequent hand washing has also been fabricated. Unable to follow outdoor activities, the youth are involved in initiatives that can be done inside the facility where they are protected and cared for. Currently, vegetable gardens cannot be cultivated while small animals are cared for daily, again following strict ministerial regulations.
