Mexican President Shakes Hands with People During COVID-19 Scare

(Photo : Reuters)

Health authorities have mandated Mexicans to change lifestyle and custom as the world faces Coronavirus pandemic. They reiterated that they should avoid physical contacts and keep a healthy amount of distance from others while avoiding mass activities to help reduce the risk of being exposed to the virus. 

AMLO Visits the Countryside

This weekend, AMLO conducted a visit to the Mexican countryside where he provided speeches to hundreds of townspeople. He barely addressed the pandemic but rather encouraged everyone to have a strong faith that Mexico will not encounter any misfortune. 

During his tour, AMLO was observed engaging in practices which his own coronavirus response team prohibits. He finds his way with the crowd, exchanging handshakes, hugs and cheek-kisses with the rural folks. 

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On Saturday, he joined a group of fans waiting for him in front of the hotel where he was staying. He does the same thing and seems like he is not bothered of being infected with coronavirus at all. Later that day, he listened to a young man discussing water properties of chicayota fruit. He then sampled the beverage and ended the visit with a handshake. 

Sunday becomes another busy day for the president. He was again seen engaging in social activities with his supporters in Costa Chica region. People were not stopped by metal crowd barriers and insisted to at least get a handshake from the politician. 

In San Juan de los Llanos, AMLO spoke with a woman who handed him a handful of hand-rolled cigars as a present. He then returned the favor by giving the woman a kiss on the cheek and forehead. 

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AMLO is well-known to favor casual activities such as mingling with supporters and travelling in nondescript sedans. The activities by AMLO were posted in his Twitter account which has 6.5 million followers. 

The Country's Status with Coronavirus

Saturday night, Hugo Lopez-Gatell, Health Department Deputy Secretary, conducted his daily news conference and provided an update that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases has gone up to 41.the Deputy Secretary further mentioned that Mexico's status may become more serious soon. 

On a video released by the Health Department, officials were seen greeting each other by bowing, saluting or waving at each other. Other officials have cancelled mass gatherings while some still continue to work as usual. 

Confirmed cases of coronavirus continue to increase as the day passes. In line with this, Gov. Mauricio Vila announced that the Chichen Itza and Dzibilchaltun, sites for Mayan archaeology will be closed from March 20-22. The said sites often receive 50,000 tourists per day for the springtime equinox. 

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As of today, there are 118 confirmed and 314 suspected cases of coronavirus in the country. Mexico's intimate greeting custom is being tested amid the rise in COVID-19 concerns. The Health Department continues to campaign towards social distancing and seeking the country's support for it. 

Globally, the pandemic has infected more than 156,000 people and caused the death of 5,800 based on the World Health Organization's recent report.