Argentina curtails leisure, public transport use after hitting new COVID-19 record

[peppertree]

Argentina tightened movement restrictions on Wednesday including curtailing the leisure industry and blocking nonessential workers from using public transport after the country hit a record number of COVID-19 infections as it struggles with a second wave of the virus.

President Alberto Fernández announced a curfew between midnight and 6 a.m., the closure of bars and restaurants at 11 p.m. and the suspension of operations for casinos, bingo halls and nightclubs in areas of the country with the highest infection rates.

Sports in enclosed spaces with the participation of more than 10 people were also banned and in the Greater Buenos Aires area, where cases have increased 53% in a week, all but essential workers along with teachers and those with special authorisation are prohibited from using public transport.

Fernandez, 62, who recently disclosed he had asymptomatic COVID-19, said he was seeking to strike a balance between protecting the health and the economic wellbeing of Argentines. He vowed to keep schools open “as much as possible.”

Daily cases have soared in Argentina from around 7,000 just two weeks ago, to a record 24,130 yesterday. The country has registered 2.5 million cases and 57,350 deaths thus far.

At: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-argentina/argentina-curtails-leisure-public-transport-use-after-hitting-new-covid-19-record-idUSKBN2BU3KI

[Judi Lynn]

1. What a shame Argentina is so close to the world's 2nd worst Covid-19 mortality record holder.

I should mention Islas Malvinas is the name commonly used in the Americas for the "Falkland Islands".

Bad news for Argentina, which will bounce back quickly, no doubt, having a far better medical solution for the Corona Virus than Bolsonaro, by all means.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Uruguay has managed a startling record. Never have known until this news clip. Thanks, peppertree. ⭐️

[peppertree]

3. You're welcome, Judi. It's a worrisome situation, no doubt about it.

Argentina and Uruguay not only have the problem of the Manaus (Brazil) strain going around - hence the 3-fold jump cases in two weeks.

But in Argentina's case, you also have a vicious right wing that's actively doing everything they can to encourage the spread of Covid.

How? By calling protests over the smallest controversy, and by loudly encouraging viewers to defy social distancing measures ("Resist!" Patricia Bullrich recently cackled - presumably after tying one on).

The rationale being that if they can head into the mid-term elections with the worst possible numbers, they can use those against the incumbent administration (not unlike what the GOP was hoping would happen here - as you know).

RW media meanwhile second-guesses any and every prevention measure - with one anchor (Nelson Castro) even going as far as suggesting that "case numbers are being exaggerated in order to postpone elections."

(sounds familiar, yes?)

This crisis is hard enough as it is - especially for a bankrupt country like Argentina - without these people going full 'fifth column' on their own country.

But as you know, that's how it goes.

Thanks as always for your replies and helpful graphics, Judi, and have a restful weekend.