On February 26, the novel coronavirus reached Latin America. It took three months since the first cases of COVID-19 in China and one month after its first case in Europe before it reached the region, says an article.

Many countries in the region had responded immediately by implementing a variety of measures such as closing borders, lockdown orders, and curfews. These efforts aim to prevent the overwhelming of their healthcare systems. Mexico had been an exception to those nations that had taken these strategies.

Late Announcement of A National Public Health Emergency

Due to the issues of a lack of importance by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) to the COVID-19 pandemic and the pressures from other countries, Mexico announced national public health emergency at a later date. The announcement came only after 40 deaths and fifteen days after the report of the first COVID-19 case in the country.

According to the decree, not a mandatory quarantine, states the postponement of the operations of non-essential public, private, and social events. These events include the federal government, all educational institutions, and a portion of the private sector. Those who work on-site are also suspended to work until April 30.

COVID-19 in Mexico

Based on the latest data from the United Nations, the population of Mexico is more or less 129 million. Also, the information reveals that there are only 29 medical workers for every 10,000 Mexican.

As of April 13, there had been a total of 332 people who have lost their battle to the illness. 5,014 confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported as of this date. Based on the estimates of the government of Mexico, the infection rate is 8.2 higher, which means that their estimated infections are 38,200.

Out of the total COVID-19 confirmed cases, 26% needed to be admitted to the hospital. 9% of the hospitalized patients are in stable condition, 14% are severe cases of the illness, and 3% have already died.

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Actions to Save the Mexican Economy

AMLO recently announce an economic reactivation plan. The plan is divided into three parts: public and social investment, creating jobs for the unemployed, and stricter federal public administration.

The president's statement had left private industries dissatisfied as they feel like the government overlooks them. One reason for this reaction is that the government did not include tax reduction to one of its plans. However, AMLO ensures that there will be no increases to the tax dues.

The business coordinating council was expecting that the Mexican government will be implementing a more aggressive fiscal policy to help the private sector survive and continue to maintain employees during the COVID-19 crisis. They call for a significant national impact on the private sector, their employees, and society.

AMLO is already facing protests from different states' chambers of commerce. They threaten to withhold taxes due to the denial of the Mexican government to implement solutions to control the impact of the current crisis on the sector.