My name is Guillermo and I live in the city of Monterrey, Mexico. I am a fifty five year old mestizo professional production technician who owns his business. Currently, public schools have stopped face-to-face classes and all classes are online throughout Mexico. “It is a new and difficult experience, for parents it has been very stressful.” I use my private car to move around the city. Public transportation continues to work but with fewer buses on route, more sanitation care, and social distancing is practiced when riding. My family and I only go out for the most necessary things such as work and buying food. “Now there is no recreation, no interactions, no religious gatherings.” As other countries in the world continue to fight against Covid, Mexico has also struggled with outbreaks but in the state of Nuevo Leon, the use of a mask is mandatory and authorities are allowed to fine those who do not have it on. “Many people do not believe and do not follow the rules and that puts the population at risk.” The only support that is nation wide is when someone is vulnerable and that usually take place “through the Institute of Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSTE), Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), or popular insurance [for those without healthcare coverage].” Tests are available through public and private sectors. Through the private sector, results are given back pretty quick but one must pay $3000 pesos ($151.73 USD). In the public sector, you have to bring symptoms to be given a test. “Hygiene culture is going to change, the economy is not going to recover quickly, poverty is going to grow I believe that nothing will be the same as before, there is fear in the population.”
“I live in a place where people are peaceful, hardworking, but partying and irresponsible, many do not take care of themselves. Before COVID the challenge has been organized crime, which has decreased a bit, now the challenge of COVID, crime, and fear is greater.”