What is life like in paradise with Covid-19 looming?

It was only two weeks ago that the concept of COVID-19 hitting us seemed a distant concern in a faraway place.  We knew it was hitting the rest of the world but our little corner of the was still safe.  We spent the afternoon and early evening on one of my favorite boats, Dralion, surrounded by some of my favorite people.  We sailed and swam in the Caribbean Sea, ate good food, enjoyed boat drinks and watched the sunset.  At the end of the evening no one hesitated to hug one another goodbye.

Today, we are still fortunate enough to enjoy the Caribbean Sea and warm tropical breezes, but so much has changed. Many of our friends have either left to go home or are preparing to leave. Those with businesses are struggling with how to get through this crisis and take care of their employees as best they can.  Puerto Aventuras each day is looking more and more like a ghost town.  We walk the streets and docks many mornings and marvel at how quiet it is. 

This is a culture that thrives on affection and civility.  Strangers smile and greet one another as they pass and mere acquaintances are embraced and kissed on the cheek.  It was one of the things that drew me to this culture and place.  All of that is gone now and we all struggle with the awkwardness of having to keep our distance, not really knowing what to do as we greet or say good-bye.

Diversity is in abundance here and part of that diversity, which we are all painfully aware of, is the disparity of wealth.  The workers who we pass, greet, see every day from security guards, to laborers, to maid, waiters, cashiers and bartenders, whose smiles warm us, we know make so little that they will be hardest hit as businesses close.  Here, more than in many places I have lived, we see this disparity because it is in such close proximity, so we are extremely aware of the hardship that will hit these people.  And sadly, as people become desperate, they are left with few options.  This is a problem that will be facing many throughout the world. Here I am so impressed with how quickly our community started to address these issues.  Instead of waiting to see what the government was going to do, or worse, wait until we are reacting to a bigger crisis, we are being proactive.  What is the saying?  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The best part about the way this community has stepped up is that, as isolated as we have become, there are ways we can come together and feel we are making a difference – there is no act that is too small. Like throwing a pebble in the canal, the ripples reach the sides and each helpful action now will have far reaching effects.

The restaurants immediately saw the need for delivery and to go orders and adapted.  Local groups are working to get care packages made and deliver food and essentials to the community across the highway.  The local Priest has helped by identifying the families with the greatest need.  There is the absolute understanding that we need to commit to help feed and care for these people for the long haul, this is not a one-time, quick fix.  We are trying to organize ways to help local restaurants raise funds to help their employees.  And it is all being done in unison both locally and from far away.  There are so many people who love this area, have second homes here and vacation here who are stuck in their own little corners of the world dealing with this global pandemic, but are still finding it in their hearts to reach out and help here.

None of us know how long this will last or how deep the consequences will be, but I do hope that we come out the other side better for having experienced it.  For now, the earth is getting a much-needed break. Waters are clear of boat traffic, the number of flights is dwindling, fewer cars are on the road, fewer factories polluting, even the dolphins in captivity are having a break from performing.  Families are spending more time together, eating together, learning to entertain each other instead of going out to be entertained.  Priorities I hope are shifting.

I hope all of you find yourselves where you need to be during these times of social distancing and quarantine, that you are safe and stay well. AND, please, if you can find it in your heart, during these financially challenging times, give what you can to others.  Prayers and good thoughts are not enough. To those of us who are so blessed there comes an obligation to do the right thing and help others.

Here is a link to an article about what is being done in the Puerto Aventuras area to help others.  Look around and see what others are doing to help and maybe spearhead something similar in your area.