BajaNomad

The Mexican people should be commended and congratulated

Paulclark - 5-20-2009 at 10:43 AM

by Bruce D. Greenberg, MAI, SRA, ASA




The Mexican people should be commended and congratulated by the international community for placing the health and safety of its citizens and the world first, regardless of economic impact. Through the leadership of its government and the strength of its community, Mexico successfully slowed the advancement of the A(H1N1) virus through a Federal public health declaration that required both private and governmental to close their doors to the public and limit physical interaction. In effect, this action shut down the country and its economy for a six-day period. This type of impact in the United States would be detrimental to the economy.

On May 10, 2009, I arrived at Mexico City’s Benito Juarez International Airport on a flight from Dallas and was greatly overwhelmed by how the community rallied together to create an ultra-hygienic community to combat this virus. From my first steps off the airplane into the airport, and on to the taxi, hotel, restaurants, offices, and retail stores, it felt as if Mexico had become the most hygiene-conscious country in the world. The owners and employees of the hotels, restaurants, , taxis and public venues made my health and safety a priority throughout my six-day stay in Mexico City. As I entered various establishments, I was greeted by health professionals who gave me hand sanitizer, took my body temperature and asked me to fill out health questionnaires and while in close-quartered taxis or in high traffic areas, I was encouraged to wear a surgical facemask, although I did not feel the need to take this extra precaution with all of the safety measures that had been put into place.

The A(H1N1) Virus is not a Mexican problem; it is a global problem. With the hygienic measures placed by the government, the Republic of Mexico did their part to help stop the progression of the virus. To date, Mexico has experienced 68 deaths and 3,103 confirmed cases of the virus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Today, this same virus that the press has successfully labeled as a Mexican disease has now spread in the United States to 5,123 cases and 6 deaths in a total of 48 states as well as more than 40 other countries. Other affected countries should be enforcing the same type of preventative measures as Mexico did.

The Panamerican Health Organization stated that without the drastic preventative measures of the Federal and State governments of Mexico, “more than 8,600 lives would have been lost and more than 30,000 hospitalized, severely compromising the public health system.” 68 deaths in Mexico is an epidemic; 8,600 lives would have been devastation for the country. The loss of life in the United States and around the world would have been catastrophic without the measures taken by the Republic of Mexico.

In early reporting’s, the international media assured the world that the A(H1N1) Virus could kill hundreds of thousands. Instead, the only true virus was a successful media campaign, which halted the Mexican economy, nearly destroying its tourism sector overnight. Dozens of hotels have been closed, and unemployment will continue to rise until Mexico can regain its strength in the tourist sector.

I am not an expert either on health or how governments should be run, and I am not pretending to be so by the publishing of this editorial. However, I do understand real estate and it’s affect on the economy.

Mexico’s economy has been greatly affected in the past twelve months by the world’s economic situation, the publicity of cartel violence, and the most recent A(H1N1) Virus health scare. None of these things are Mexico’s fault. In fact, Mexico’s financial system is one of the strongest in the world. Mexico has experienced an increase in cartel violence and lost many of its citizens while fighting to prevent the flow of drugs into the United States. The Federal and State governments of Mexico did an astonishing job halting the spread of the A(H1N1) Virus. Nevertheless, Alfredo Coutino, Latin American economist at Moody's Economy.com, stated that Mexico’s economy will contract 5.5 percent in 2009, and one point of the contraction will be due to the A(H1N1) Virus.

As citizens of our countries, we ask our policymakers to be prudent and take risks on the side of caution while protecting and building stronger economies. We obviously do not want to abandon that stance when it comes to public health policy. The decisions made by the Mexican government concerning the health of its citizens and people around the world will account for enormous economic implications in the months to come, but the Mexican government should be proud of the stance it took.

The country of Mexico was brave and admirable, saved countless lives, and created a type of transparency and full disclosure that has been unprecedented at the price of severe economic consequences. Fortunately, Mexico understands crisis, has rebounded from crisis many times before, and will rebound again.

As for the United States, it is time for the leadership of the country to stand up and become good neighbors to the ones who have been great neighbors to the south. “Though shall love their neighbor as thyself” is a quote that extends far beyond religious belief and into practical day-to-day life, just as Mexico has done by investing billions of dollars into our economy, placing their children at risk to fight the United State’s war on drugs, and as they did by risking economic implications while putting a halt to the spread of the A(H1N1) Virus.

DENNIS - 5-20-2009 at 12:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paulclark
As for the United States, it is time for the leadership of the country to stand up and become good neighbors to the ones who have been great neighbors to the south.


That is sadly sick. The United States has supplied employment to millions of Mexicans giving Mexico it's second source of income. Something Mexico has failed to do. It's time, since I've never heard Mexico mention this fact, that Mexico showed some public appreciation for all the good things the US has done for Mexico. That would be the good neighborly thing to do. We arn't ALL bad.

flyfishinPam - 5-20-2009 at 12:51 PM

The Mexican people should be commended and congratulated

they have performed well in instilling fear into the population over a dreadful epidemic that killed less than 50 people throughout the world. they swallowed it hook, line and sinker. now we got a fear color code too. whoopee!

CaboRon - 5-20-2009 at 01:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by Paulclark
As for the United States, it is time for the leadership of the country to stand up and become good neighbors to the ones who have been great neighbors to the south.


That is sadly sick. The United States has supplied employment to millions of Mexicans giving Mexico it's second source of income. Something Mexico has failed to do. It's time, since I've never heard Mexico mention this fact, that Mexico showed some public appreciation for all the good things the US has done for Mexico. That would be the good neighborly thing to do. We arn't ALL bad.


Quite right Dennis .......................

Mulegena - 5-20-2009 at 02:05 PM

I think Mexico has done a brillliant job of stemming the spread of this virus, both in the close-quartered cities and the far-reaching ranchos. Job well-done so far.
Apparently Baja, both Norte and Sur, are among the safest places to be.

Its good to read that a vaccine for this virus is being developed. I'm unhappy to read that several first-world countries, the USA among them, are placing advanced orders for the vaccine and because of the cash in hand will receive the medicine before other less-prosperous nations and their peoples. This is a heinous practice, in my opinion. The nations must act Globally, let go of their "me first" attitude.

A comment to the Aside regarding the US supplying jobs to Mexicans I ask, to which country are these workers paying taxes on their US social security numbers? Hint: It isn't to Mexico.

[Edited on 5-20-2009 by Mulegena]

Paulclark - 5-20-2009 at 02:13 PM

Shouldn't you be thanking Mexico for the cheap pool of stoop labor which can be abused and deported when they have served their pupose?

DENNIS - 5-20-2009 at 02:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
A comment to the Aside regarding the US supplying jobs to Mexicans I ask, to which country are these workers paying taxes on their US social security numbers? Hint: It isn't to Mexico.


Understood and appreciated but, not my point. But for the largess of the United States turning a blind eye to a disrespect for our laws, the undocumented workers wouldn't even have the opportunity to pay taxes, let alone send back billions in remittances. Good for them. It's their money and they earned it. They can do what they want with it.
Without getting into a worn out feces fight over immigration issues, my point is that the United States isn't a complete bully and over-bearing monster as the Mexican government would have their people believe. The government would much rather blame the U.S. than have their people put the blame where it belongs, DF.

DENNIS - 5-20-2009 at 02:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paulclark
Shouldn't you be thanking Mexico for the cheap pool of stoop labor which can be abused and deported when they have served their pupose?


No. I don't have to thank Mexico for anything and I don't care if an apple costs twenty bucks. Maybe it would send some of the subsidized farmers to work at McDonalds where they belong.

LOSARIPES - 5-21-2009 at 04:23 AM

Supply and demand rules apply here.
Too much supply=low pay
low pay = Mexicans fill positions
--------------------------------------------
Not enough jobs = higher pay
higher pay = Americans take jobs
Americans take jobs = Mexicans go home
(will not come back to claim any benefits, btw)
--------------------------------------------
Immigration rules and border patrolling has only made it more challenging for some......
Back on the subject: Yes, it has been recognized that Mexico has done a good
job on the virus issue, regardless of what Dictator Fidel Castro says.

Woooosh - 5-21-2009 at 08:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by CaboRon
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by Paulclark
As for the United States, it is time for the leadership of the country to stand up and become good neighbors to the ones who have been great neighbors to the south.


That is sadly sick. The United States has supplied employment to millions of Mexicans giving Mexico it's second source of income. Something Mexico has failed to do. It's time, since I've never heard Mexico mention this fact, that Mexico showed some public appreciation for all the good things the US has done for Mexico. That would be the good neighborly thing to do. We arn't ALL bad.


Quite right Dennis .......................


When Arnold deports the 19,000 illegal Mexican criminals being held in CA jails- Mexico will thank the USA for returning these fine Mexican citizens to their home towns where they will instill peace and tranquility to their towns.

DENNIS - 5-21-2009 at 01:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
When Arnold deports the 19,000 illegal Mexican criminals being held in CA jails- Mexico will thank the USA for returning these fine Mexican citizens to their home towns where they will instill peace and tranquility to their towns.


Good one. I knew there had to be a way to form our "Mutual Admiration Society."

CaboRon - 5-21-2009 at 01:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paulclark
Shouldn't you be thanking Mexico for the cheap pool of stoop labor which can be abused and deported when they have served their pupose?


Sure if we could just figure a way to send them back when we are done with them .....

Wait a minute

Dave - 5-21-2009 at 01:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh

When Arnold deports the 19,000 illegal Mexican criminals being held in CA jails- Mexico will thank the USA for returning these fine Mexican citizens to their home towns where they will instill peace and tranquility to their towns.


Think about it. Deport them to where? We live down here.

Bajajack - 5-21-2009 at 01:26 PM

It's hard to send em back after they all drop an Anchor Litter immediately after sneaking over.

They may not be too smart but they got that one figured out.

:coolup:

CaboRon - 5-21-2009 at 01:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajajack
It's hard to send em back after they all drop an Anchor Litter immediately after sneaking over.

They may not be too smart but they got that one figured out.

:coolup:


:?:

Cypress - 5-21-2009 at 01:55 PM

CaboRon, Puzzled? See the immigration laws.:spingrin: