In this episode of the Nosara Podcast, Nice Alterman addresses the Nosara Civic Association’s priority updates for the community and explains how and why the NCA is making progress, even during these strange times. She covers a wide variety of information about the NCA’s most pressing issues and what they are doing to help the community further.
Over the past week we learned a great deal more about COVID – 19 and how it is starting to affect Nosara’s residents and guests. In this updated episode, Dr. Chore Jimenez provides some very clear messages to Nosara residents and current visitors and a great deal of information. He discusses being out in public, the importance of self isolation, hygiene, what makes this virus different from others and why it is not like the ‘common cold or flu,’ who to call if you think you may have COVID – 19, what people who need income from March and April should do, how we should greet one another going forward, plus much more.
Dr. Chore is predicting an outbreak of some sort in Nosara and is adamant residents need to take the right steps to counteract the potential spread of this virus. He consistently reminds us this virus spreads without people even realizing they are carrying it and to not treat this like the ‘common flu’ or ‘gripe’ as we call it here. There are reports the first death in Costa Rica occurred and most professionals are predicting more and doing their best to avoid significant loss by taking the proper precautions.
Here is Dr. Chore’s synopsis: Stay home, stop going out, when you shop please do so responsibly by acquiring 14 days of food and only one family member visiting the store, please stop shaking hands, fist bumping, kissing, etc. and simply wave at someone hello or goodbye. If you show symptoms please stay home and only go to hospital if there is an extreme situation as it is far more dangerous to visit clinics or the hospital and Costa Rica does not have the resources for too many people to crowd the facilities. Call the # 1322 govenment number or Paradise Medical if you suspect a case of COVID – 19. But again, know the best situation is to stay home and do not spread this virus. Prevention is our only solution at the moment. If you must go out in public please maintain space and use proper hygiene as repeatedly suggested.
We discuss when, and when not, to panic. Follow his recommendations in this video and make sure not to treat this as a ‘doomsday situation’ per se.
Dr. Chore approves of the current governmental measures and wishes they would have been implemented sooner. We discuss how restaurants are limiting capacity, bars, casinos, schools, universities and even the country’s borders are closing, and he is hopeful these measures will be of assistance.
One of his major points in staying home unless complete emergency is Costa Rica does not have the resources to handle all of the potential patients. The main solution is bringing down the chances of the virus spreading further so stay put if at all possible.
Things are adjusting quickly with the Coronavirus updates for Costa Rica and people in Nosara are wondering what this means. In this article I’ll cover the most recent border updates, provide a link to the Q&A Paradise Medical Center discussion, give a link to Dr. Alejandro’s Nosara Podcast now updated with Spanish subtitles, release the 2nd weekly installment of ‘What people are saying on the street’ then end with a direct message from me.
Part 1 – On Monday afternoon President Carlos Alvarado announced Costa Rica will close its borders to foreigners and non-residents starting at Wednesday, March 18th at 11:59pm. He also announced Costa Rica is declaring a state of emergency in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Starting immediately, citizens and residents who arrive into Costa Rica will be subjected to a mandatory 14 day quarantine. These restrictions are expected to be in place at least until April 12 at 11:59pm.
In addition, bars and nightclubs have been ordered to close and restaurants are only permitted to operate at 50% capacity. You can follow the updates and guidelines at the Ministerio de Salud website.
Part 2 – It is important you take all medical advice from a trained professional. For example, Paradise Medical Center doctors are trained professionals and they completed a Question and Answer session specifically for Nosara this past Friday the 13th. They are recording another Nosara Podcast as well to help with further updates which will be available later this week. In case you missed Friday’s Q&A, you can review it here:
*Update: Initial Dr. Alejandro video Nosara Podcast con subtítulos:
Part 3 – The third part of this article is solely for informational purposes and I cant say this strongly enough: Take your medical advice from trusted medical sources. The following interviews (including subtitles/con subtítulos) are intended to help show what people ‘on the street’ in and around town feel about the issue as of Friday the 13th.
I have to admit Ceviche Arepa’s song about Coronavirus does seem to be both good advice and high quality entertainment 🙂 I am grateful to people for sharing their opinions and especially the Doctora from the pharmacy. However, please remember the majority of these are simply to reflect the views of people in Nosara… They are not medical advice. Arepa’s is funny though and in these serious times it is nice to have some humor.
***To everyone confused by the ‘Word on the street’ part of the article: Medical professionals are telling me they WANT TO KNOW what people are thinking and saying. Therefore, I will continue to report what people on the street are saying and am happy to debate anyone who doesn’t feel this is relevant information. We are not representing these statements to be medical advice… It is just someone’s opinion. Please refer to the medical professionals for advice.
Part 4 of this article is an opinion piece directly from me. I seldom offer my opinions directly, but am starting to change this policy. Here’s my thoughts on this matter as of March 16th, 2020:
“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” – Arthur Schopenhauer
The Coronavirus situation is quickly evolving and it is my opinion preventive measures over the coming weeks may help Nosara clear a massive hurdle. My opinion is it is a good idea to cancel group outings, Semana Santa festivities, and of course follow all of the guidelines provided by Costa Rica’s medical professionals.
For those who are physically or financially unable to work from home please know you are not alone. Many of us rely on the income from March and April to survive. It is extremely frustrating to hear people say ‘just work from home’ or ‘take a vacation’ when you do not have the money to do this. However, this is an extenuating circumstance so we need to do the best we can to limit exposure. If Nosara can avoid an outbreak, our businesses and lifestyles will come back far better positioned than if we do suffer an outbreak. If you have to work or go out then you have to work or go out… Don’t feel guilty and do not be bothered by typical Nosara gossip. Simply do your best to limit exposure and know we are all in this together. It’s better to go through challenging financial times without an outbreak than the devastating financial times we may face if there is an outbreak.
FYI to all: I’m going to continue reporting what the medical professionals are saying, attempting to document what the general populace seems to be thinking, and in general promoting communication. Each new week is proving different than the last in some ways and I suspect this will be the case for the foreseeable future.
Best wishes to all and just remember: If there’s ever a place to be stuck for a while, I’d put Costa Rica at the top of the list.