Puerto Rico's government imposed strict lockdown measures that have helped slow the spread of the coronavirus on the island. Large gatherings were banned, school cafeterias were forced to shut operations, leaving many children hungry.

In recent days, the island's residents have fought over the closure of school cafeterias which provided school children with two meals a day. The closed establishments have brought to light the issue of childhood hunger on the island.

Puerto Rican Governor Wanda Vazquez was praised for taking aggressive steps to combat the virus, closing non-essential establishments including schools in early March. However, she refused to allow the cafeterias to serve free lunches to children for fear of exposing the cafeteria workers who are mostly elderly women to the virus.

As the lockdown dragged on, the state government faced hurdles in receiving much needed federal stimulus as well as process a surge in food stamp applications.

The residents protested and demanded the cafeterias to reopen. Cafeteria employees said they were willing to go back to work if given with personal protective equipment.

On April 29, the governor allowed a limited number of cafeterias to resume operations.. The cafeterias were asked to collaborate with the island's 78 mayors to deliver the meals of the children who need them.

On May 6, the first 80 cafeterias restarted the operations. Many mayors claimed the education department delivered less food than requested, leading other mayors to postpone meal distributions rather than having to turn hungry children away.

On Monday, the island's education secretary opened over 28 additional cafeterias and reported they were preparing more than 64,000 meals a day. Families were asked to sign up to have their food delivered to their homes.

On Wednesday, the education department announced 50 workers tested positive for antibodies. As a result, 32 school kitchens across the nation were closed.

Denise Santos, a food bank president, said the pandemic's economic fallout has led to an elevated conversation about hunger and poverty on the island-an issue that many residents and politicians tend to overlook.

Santos acknowledged that previously implemented programs did improve the middle class. She claims, however, that many Puerto Ricans are still living in poverty. Many, she says, are still denying the hunger crisis on the island.

Christel Galindez Garcia, a community leader in the Rio Pedras section of San Juan, said they have been delivering cooked meals to different families daily.

"When you show up with a plate of food, they start to cry," she added.

According to a 2015 study by an independent Puerto Rican agency, more than 20 percent of adults chose to skip meals or eat smaller portions due to poverty. The recent coronavirus emergency has contributed to the island's worsening hunger, with recent polls stating Puerto Rican residents are suffering from food insecurity and a higher poverty rate than any U.S. state.

Jose Caraballo-Cueto, an economist, said the hunger on the island is likely many times higher than what was reported in 2015. He estimates 46 percent have likely been laid off, forcing them to contend with what little, if any, they have saved.


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