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.
Beverly Kitson is a legendary figure in Nosara everyone should know about. Over the past 50 years, she has seen Nosara form into what it is today.
In addition, as a founder of the Biblioteca David Kitson she has for many years helped the local Tico populace arguably as much as anyone ever has in this area.
It is a privilege to share her Nosara Podcast episode and I’m excited for people to hear her story. In this episode, you are going to hear about and see some pictures of a Nosara from a long time ago.
I want to thank Beverly Kitson for sharing some pictures from her amazing slide show of Nosara’s history as well as the Nosara Civic Association for their historical photos which can be seen in this episode.
English:
Español:
After years of empty promises and significant delays, it seems there may be hope for the often troubled Ruta 160 improvements. However, there is some confusion amongst Nosara’s residents about what is actually happening.
In this Nosara Podcast episode, Lucca explains how Costa Rica’s First Lady, Claudia Dobles Camargo, is helping Nosara’s Ruta 160 to remain a focus point and it seems to be helping.
Many residents were under the impression the asphalt itself is going down now… According to Lucca, this is incorrect. Lucca clarifies how a sealant to mitigate dust is the next step which is beginning now and asphalt is supposed to come later after a complicated bidding process.
However, Lucca explains upcoming challenges including an extremely concerning 18 month period between the timing of the sealant and the proposed asphalt. He advises all concerned residents to be prepared to take action on social media in particular if the need arises.
Nosara residents are being invited to Blue Spirit this high season for some extra special guest seminars which Blue Spirit Owner Stephan Rechtschaffen feels are worth taking advantage of. Blue Spirit begins these seminars on Thursday, January 9th with Christiana Figueres and Roshi Joan Halifax speaking at a special event starting at 7:30pm. The general public is invited to this event as well as others which are scheduled in 2020.
Figueres was appointed Executive Secretary of the United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2010 and has worked over 35 years as a Costa Rican diplomat. Halifax is a Buddhist teacher, Zen priest, anthropologist, well known author, and specialist in end of life care.
In this podcast, Stephan details his story, many opinions on Nosara, and announces this exciting kickoff to an impressive lineup of speakers which he hopes brings Blue Spirit guests and Nosara residents together towards a common cause.
This episode of the Nosara Podcast features the Nosara Performing Arts Academy (NPAA) owners, Adrienne Fittzmaurice and Hayley MacMillan Ord. They stopped in the studio to explain what the NPAA program is all about.
The NPAA is officially open and well on their way to bringing cultures together teaching classes through the arts.
It is exciting to hear what’s happening and hopefully we as a community can help more children get involved in art programs.
I hope you enjoy this episode!
Nosara Jiu Jitsu Coach Daniel Rodriguez is up to something special. Each week in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings a highly dedicated group of students consistently show up for training. Fortunately for all of them, special guest coaches consistently show up in Nosara to help even further.
For example, BJJ Legends Emily Kwok (3x World Champion) and Ryron Gracie (Just google him) have become Nosara staples Coach Daniel and his team get to learn from on a consistent basis.
This past Saturday the 2019 graduation ceremony for Nosara BJJ took place at the Gilded Iguana’s new athletic center. Ryron Gracie and Fernando Moya each attended and took part in the ceremony which made this day extra special for all of the students.
I hope you enjoy this quick video recap. Please make sure to give Coach Daniel a big ‘thanks’ for everything his efforts are leading to. HUGE thanks to Oscar and Ramon and the Gilded Iguana Athletic Center for hosting this event and Nosara Jiu Jitsu classes.
Here’s some pics of the attendees and enjoy the video.
It would seem to me Josue Ruiz Guerrero would be more stressed out… But he’s not. He claims to sleep peacefully and says he is enjoying this learning process as Nosara is transitioning through a momentous time period.
It is very interesting for me to see how someone in his position can be so relaxed given the implications at hand. Overall, he exemplifies a level of ‘Pura Vida’ I am still working towards understanding.
In this conversation I ask Josue a great many questions in an attempt to gain clarity on the 2nd proposal of the temporary building regulations and the upcoming Plan Regulador. Josue is an ardent believer the Plan Regulador will be completed in 2 to 3 years. However, as you will hear in this podcast, I am extremely suspicious about this.
Regardless, Josue provides a massive amount of insight and everyone involved in Nosara should listen to his message.
Here is just a sample of my questions for Josue:
Plus a great deal more…
Please remember your opinion still matters and Josue is listening to all feedback. All details for contact, including phone numbers, are included in this episode.
I hope you enjoy this episode and take action accordingly. This is something which needs attention now, not later.
Andres Gonzalez has deep roots in Nosara. His family arrived here in the 80’s and Nosara made such an impression on he him he chose to start and raise his family here while building his legal practice. Currently he owns and operates IBL Consultores and the Nosara Beach Hostel. However, his focus remains on being a good husband and father to his 2 kids while helping shape Nosara into the place he feels it should be.
Although he is on a temporary hiatus from the many committees he normally is serving on… He still remains involved in community activities and is a vocal proponent on many of Nosara’s pressing issues.
In this episode of the Nosara Podcast he discusses with Rich a plethora of community issues including Nosara in the ‘old days,’ the difference between Nosara buyers 10 years ago to today, the current building regulations debate and the zoning plan time frame, the recently closed beach pathways, what anyone buying real estate in Nosara should be aware of, Andres cracks some jokes at Rich’s expense, he shares his opinion of the 3 types of people in Nosara today are, his Nosara dislikes, his favorite restaurants plus a great deal more.
We hope you enjoy this episode.
There is a pretty solid martial arts scene going on in Nosara. Our kids are fortunate to enjoy high quality instruction in Boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Karate. There are regular classes available for visitors and residents alike. Sometimes seminars or even tournaments are available in our area and throughout the country.
This past weekend both Kaiya and Elisha had a great time representing Nosara Karate Academy at the 2019 Costa Rica National Karate Tournament in San Jose.
This scrappy little team from Guanacaste had successful showings to be proud of in both 2018 and 2019.
In karate tournaments there are two divisions: Kumite and Kata. Kumite is fighting based on a point system. A punch is 1 point and a head kick is 3 points. A Kata is series of fluid positions and exercises performed in a routine but with no combat. Both Elisha and Kaiya prefer Kumite but understand the discipline learned doing a Kata is important to advance belts and knowledge in the karate system.
The kids want to thank Sensei Isis, her father Sensei Hector, as well as Sensei Edgar from San Jose for training them for the past several years.
2018 National Tournament
9 competitors, 15 medals, 2 National Champions
Nosara Karate Academy normally practices on Tuesdays 3:45pm (smaller kids) and 4:45pm (ages 8+) at Nalu and occasionally some private practices at La Banana. Contact Isis on Facebook or stop by Nalu on Tuesday afternoons to see the Nosara Karate Academy in action.
All of Central America, including Nosara, has problems with petty theft. The Nosara Security Association is trying to deter and prevent house break in’s as well as all other types of crime we experience. Private Security is the only real solution we have for this.
In this breakdown Rich shows how the Beaches of Nosara could feasibly link up to drastically decrease crime in our community.
We’ve heard every objection and tried loads of different ways… Private Security is THE only method which works 99% of the time.
Your neighborhood should have a WhatsApp group to link into. Send me a message if you need the info.
If you have a location we can utilize security cameras, please let us know.
These new security cameras like Ring are working extremely well and we appreciate the photos of ‘creepers’ and attempted break-ins. We’ve identified several people already with these so thank you.
Main point: If we have private security in each neighborhood we can eliminate most of the crime we experience.
Please get with your property manager or myself ASAP so connect about linking up your neighborhood.
*I am willing to do a personalized webinar for your neighborhood until November 2019.