Posted on 05/05/2009 10:36:44 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch
MONTERREY, Mexico — Mexico's president credits a nationwide business shutdown and incessant health advice with helping contain the swine flu. But even with cases confirmed in 26 of the country's 32 states, most Mexicans see it as Mexico City's problem, and have largely ignored the restrictions.
From the industrial city of Monterrey to the bayside resort of Acapulco, many citizens refused to stay indoors or avoid crowds during the forced business holiday. They went shopping. They went to the beach. And they didn't wear protective gear.
"It's different here than in Mexico City," Manolo Valdes said in Monterrey. "People believe the situation is a bit exaggerated."
The engineering company he works for distributed surgical masks to 600 employees last week, with limited effect.
"The first few days a lot of people used them, but then people started taking them off or putting them on their heads because they're uncomfortable," Valdes said.
When the federal government ordered all nonessential businesses to close for five days beginning Friday, authorities in Monterrey had to drag people from bars and discos.
That was in sharp contrast to Mexico City, where mask-wearing residents gave each other a wide berth, taco stands were shuttered and many parents forbid their children from roaming outside. Still, more people were out on the capital's streets and some shops opened Monday after officials announced most of the restrictions would end this week.
Part of the problem: Most of Mexico's 27 swine flu deaths occurred in the capital and surrounding area, so many Mexicans elsewhere have decided they're safe.
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Associated Press writers Marina Montemayor in Ciudad Juarez, Ixtli Martinez in Oaxaca, Sergio Flores in Acapulco and Julie Watson in Mexico City contributed to this report.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Can’t really blame them I guess, I mean I see Detroit’s problem with drugs and murder as theirs and not mine, until it gets to my door step then let the locals in charge deal with it, don’t force me to also.
Ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
“Mexicans see swine flu as Mexico City’s problem”
...well, sorry, but BO sees it as Amerikas problem and he’s hoping this will jump start his “Universal Health Care”! Without that we’re doomed! ~sarc
Caramba! Chilangos molestos.
Ping!
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