SAO PAULO (AP) – A coverage of COVID-19 cases stops samba steps in the largest metropolis in Brazil, while the capital of Argentina turns to the tango floor.
The two largest cities in each of the neighboring South American countries are heading in opposite directions, reflecting how those who weaken restrictions despite warnings from scientists see an increase in the pandemic, while others who keep social distance measures in place , can reopen their economies sooner.
Sao Paulo, home to nearly 12 million people, has suffered the worst two weeks yet in the pandemic and the increasing risk that the once resilient health care system will collapse, government João Doria told reporters on Wednesday. More than 75% of the city’s intensive care beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients, and some wards – such as those of the private Albert Einstein Hospital – are full for the first time.
Doria announced that the entire state, where 46 million people live, will have the highest level of restrictions on Saturday to arrest the spread of the virus. This means that all pubs, restaurants, shopping malls and any other establishment until at least 19 March are not essential.
Meanwhile, the nearly 3 million residents of Buenos Aires enjoy easing their restrictions, with the authority to attend movie theaters. On Wednesday, official figures showed that only 26% of intensive care beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients. The low hospitalization rate has also enabled local authorities to reopen pubs and restaurants until 2am – something long sought after in a city known for its everyday culture.
This means that Buenos Aires’ famous steakhouse will rekindle their fires while their peers in Sao Paulo put it out.
At the end of 2020, the casinos of Buenos Aires were also reopened, and the authorities are discussing whether the city that is crazy about football will soon be able to return to the stadiums. In Brazil, despite Bolsonaro’s pressure to admit fans, no local authorities are seriously considering opening stadiums. The 48,000-seat NeoQuimica Arena on the east side of Sao Paulo is being used as a vaccination post.
Good news from the Sao Paulo region came on Tuesday when Pelé football received its first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. The 80-year-old posted the news on his social media channels.
“The pandemic is not over yet. We have to be disciplined to save lives until many people have taken the vaccine, ‘said the three-time World Cup winner. “When you go out, please do not forget your mask and maintain social distance.”
His plea is important – even one year after the pandemic began – because Bolsonaro continues to question the effectiveness of masks.
The distance between the two countries apparently widened during the pandemic, with Bolsonaro and Argentine Alberto Fernández adopting opposite signs in dealing with the crisis. The former underestimated the risks of the disease and insisted on sustaining the economy, while the latter followed a more cautious approach.
Fernández imposed one of the longest quarantines in the world between March and October, despite the risks of damaging an economy already in recession.
In the past week, Brazil has recorded 35 COVID-19 deaths per million inhabitants, almost three times that of Argentina.
Problems in Sao Paulo worsened after fierce carnival celebrations in mid-February. Although street celebrations and parades were canceled, many paulistas, as residents are known, traveled or joined an unmasked gathering. The city did not want to allow working days that were traditionally allowed during the Carnival period, to keep people from having parties.
Izidoro Silveira, 34, got a job at a pizzeria in downtown Sao Paulo two months ago, after nearly a full year of unemployment. He is upset about the immediate closure of his restaurant.
“Those who do deliveries will not be hurt, but I and many others will,” an anxious Silveira said as he watched a television news broadcast about the closure. “I do not know what to say to my wife and daughter. I’m afraid I’ll lose my job again, even if I work in a place that takes all precautions. ‘
Not far away, cinemas on the city’s biggest attraction, Paulista Avenue, are empty, just as they have been since the pandemic first began.
The convenience of Argentina does not mean that the virus is completely under control. Wednesday’s official figures showed 262 deaths and more than 8,700 new infections in the country. Vaccination of vaccines is slow. But the overwhelming gloom in Sao Paulo seems to be far from Buenos Aires.
With a bag of popcorn in one hand and a cool drink in the other, 8-year-old Bautista Sundblat was eager to go to a movie theater in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires to watch “Bad Boys Forever.”
“He’s very excited,” says his mother, Martina. “We waited a long time. There are few seats, everything is taken care of. He’s a movie fanatic. There is still a long way to go, but little by little we are getting where we want to go. ‘
___ Rey reported from Buenos Aires.