Special Report: Swine Flu

I took the bus to Mexico City on Friday to meet my friend Amber at the airport.  I noticed that in the bus station in Cuernavaca, all the workers and some of the passengers had masks on but I didn't really think anything of it because on high pollution days, this is normal.  Arriving in the Mexico City airport, there were more people with masks on and it seemed a little more than was normal.  I still didn't know why.  Later, we saw on the news that it was the Swine Flu.  The next day, Reed came to meet us and we went walking around the Zocalo.  We noticed about 1/2 of the people with masks on and the military on corners passing out masks.  We made a decision to come back to Cuernavaca the next day instead of waiting until Monday.  The next day, we walked to the Metro station and Reed and I noticed how quiet the streets were.  This was at about 1pm on a Sunday.  Usually, at this time, the streets are crowded with people!  It seemed a little more than strange.  Additionally, when we were waiting for the Metro, there were only a few people on the platform and on the trains.  It seemed like a Sci-fi movie!!

Anyway, we are in Cuernavaca and doing fine!

A little information:

The country of Mexico has a population of about 112 million people.  1200 cases of swine flu have been reported with 103 deaths.

They are handing out information about the flu at all major events and places.  They are handing out free masks on the street.  Major events have been cancelled.  Schools are closed for the week.  The information about the flu is running on every major TV station.

I feel like the Mexican government is handling this VERY well.  No worries, we will be careful!

La contaminación y la basura (pollution and garbage) en México

The pollution:

The first thing I noticed when I arrived on the plane in Mexico City was the amount of pollution that was in the air.  It was like a thick, brown fog over the city.  Of course, with a city of 26 million people, you might expect some pollution.  However, after spending 8 months here and traveling around the country I have seen that the pollution is not restricted to Mexico City and seems to shroud most cities.  The three biggest reasons are:

1.  There is no system for regulating automobile emissions.  (However, in Mexico City you can only drive on certain days according to the last number on your license plate.)

2.  People burn their trash (more often in the pueblos and small towns).  There are no regulations about burning and the unfortunate thing is that they throw EVERYTHING on the fire, including plastic bottles.

3.  People burn land.  Sometimes it's the farmers who want to add nitrogen to the soil after their crop is done.  Other times it is, like one of our guides told us, "Because people want to."

The Basura:

The second thing that I noticed when I arrived in Mexico is the trash.  It's everywhere--on the sidewalks, in the streets, in the water and on the beach!  Everyone I've talked to acknowledges that it is a problem, the government has said that it is a problem, but no one seems to do anything about it.  

I have heard two main reasons for the problem:

1.  It is cultural (socially accepted).  I have seen people throw trash out of bus/cumvi windows, drop trash on the sidewalk and just leave trash behind. 

2.  It is a lack of education.  

Three very interesting things to me about the trash problem:

1.  Garbage pick-up is three times a week.

2.  No one has huge trash cans in which to put out their trash.  They put it in plastic bags in a designated place (usually on the corner by a light pole or out on the sidewalk) which is easy fodder for the homeless dogs.

3.  You rarely see trash cans provided by the cities in public places.

4.  On the highways there are signs warning that if someone is caught throwing trash they will be fined 3 months pay.  However, before, after, under and around the sign, there is usually a huge pile of trash!

I am sure if there is a change, it will be a long and difficult one.  

The slideshow at top, right, will give you an idea of what it looks like.  Believe me, none of these pictures are exaggerated, it's the way it is.  By the way, notice the amount of Coca-Cola plastic bottles that are in the pictures.  I have done a little research on this and found that most of the sodas, juices and water sold here are made by Coke.  AND, you would think from the amount that people drink (not to mention that we have seen mothers give it to their 3-month old babies) and by the advertisement that it is a cure-all for what ails you!  Seriously!

For pictures, click on this link:  http://picasaweb.google.com/regnor11/PollutionAndGarbage#

Coming next:  Our two-week romp around southern México.