COVID-19 and expatriation in Mexico

NYC Rob wrote:

I believe that the short-term devastation from the coronovirus quarantine will ultimately be MUCH more dramatic than the disease itself, certainly in terms of the economy.  The entire reason I was considering relocating to Mexico was how the global slowdown was gradually eroding my business.  But all of the financial bubbles present in the US, from equities to bonds to real estate, all eventually had to burst, and this sudden outbreak was just the "pin" to break these overinflated bubbles.  This total business shutdown, worldwide, will cause such a catastrophic monetary disruption, that even if this entire pandemic was to disappear tomorrow, the long-lasting effects to the global economy will dramatically alter the financial destinies of every major nation in the world, permanently.

If you seek the single reason for this major calamity, all one has to do is watch the movie of 2015, "The Big Short," which powerfully described how the illegality and malfeasance of the investment bankers brought down the entire economy, and has once again reared its ugly head.  The Federal Reserve Bank, which will simply continue its policy of printing fake money and disseminating it to their rich friends, will ultimately use this unlimited power to buy up every physical and paper asset in existence, making them the largest and wealthiest property owners in world history.

As far as Mexico is concerned, this virus could eventually have the same negative effects, but with many of its population already living at poverty levels, and a vastly less developed health care system, if the global epidemic becomes more pronounced, the effects could be far more serious, their visible lack of emergency readiness less prepared than ours, even with our vast storehouse of wealth and resources.  My biggest fear about this virus is, however, is in its incredible ability to spread quickly, rendering most of our safeguards to prevent or stop it, moot.  Worst still is this disease's innate ability to MUTATE, which worries me even more.  In the end, who knows where the spread of it will lead, or of its final toll on the people of the world?

NYC,
you really seem to know little about Mexico. "their visible lack of emergency readiness less prepared than ours, even with our vast storehouse of wealth and resources. "
Mexico has had a very good medical system and has been far more prepared than the U.S. which at this point is the worst prepared of all.. Part of the reason they are better prepared is they don't always believe what they have been told, and due to the fact that they have been through a lot during their history their response is more consistent. Yes, it will hurt them financially but the people are excellent at creating workarounds. Apparently you didn't hear that the U.S. readiness was shut down quickly by the current administration years ago and they ignored multiple warnings. They have demonstrated that they have no idea what they are doing.

Mexico has far fewer cases than the U.S. and part of keeping it that way has been telling visitors to go home. There is a lot of data manipulation in every country and the numbers can not be trusted. What the pandemic consists of mainly is hysteria. Not grounded research and actual statistics. Shaming others and threatening others has become a big problem especially in the U.S.
I suggest you spend your free time at home reading reliable sources. Start with really knowing what has and is happening in the U.S.

Anthony Held wrote:

Mexico is not better prepared to handle this pandemic than the US is, and neither is its medical system worth much at all, even under normal circumstances.   The failings of its system are obvious from just looking at the lack of treatment Mexico's diabetics routinely get and how it does not treat well at all those who have chronic pain conditions.    It takes almost an act of God to get pain medication of any strength there.   The US is in an awful mess, but Mexico is much worse off even.     The conditions of mass poverty and cramped living spaces are a horrifying disaster for Mexico just waiting to crash.

If reality is an attack I guess NY is right. Are you a permanent resident Anthony? have you been to a hospital? I see you are staying in one of the more risky areas in Mexico. So if you had any medical treatment tell us about it instead of just saying there isn't any. You might want to read what an actual American patient had to say. https://www.mexinsurance.com/blog/exper … ical-care.

As for what I think, it is based on doctors I have met and care I am aware of, T.J. has many clinics helping people get off of the narcotics the U.S prescribed. They also have many impressive hospitals as do many areas in the  Yucatan.  I have seen many positive first-hand reports from ex-pats.

Are you diabetic with pain?  that seems your focus. let us know your experience

I have had an extensive background in Medicine in the U.S. I have seen the care given to two patients here. The one doctor, in particular, was very attentive and spoke three languages. He was very skilled and had taken classes in nutrition on an advanced level which would be very rare for a doctor in the U.S.

Yes, the care has shifted in Mexico since the new administration, but in the U.S. they fight for no care at all.

Halfwaytree wrote:

My plans to move to Mexico have not changed except that in a round about way it may actually move up the time frame I am looking at for making that move.

As far as how COVID-19 is affecting me? Very little as it turns out. I am an introvert and a border line hermit to begin with, so this whole self-isolate thing is not a problem for me in the least.

For any of you out there who have been, or know someone who has been negatively affected by the disease, my thoughts are with you and yours!

Well, Halfway that will be Mexico's decision not yours like it or not.
They are tightening up in some areas and loosening up in others. They have a color-coded map of the level of restrictions that should be released soon.

I suspect that a decision on tourists will be months down the line. Currently, Baja and Quintana roo, two major tourist areas are red zones. Red is the most restricted. I haven't seen the map yet but I'm sure those are not the only red zones. My state is mostly yellow I'm told.  yet most businesses are still closed, but there is talk of opening schools soon.

If you have any illnesses like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, etc. you would have sort of your own red cloud. If you are 60 or older you would be as they call it in a protected group.

My city has 6 alledged cases. they plan to convert one of the small local hospitals to a "COVID" hospital which may be an unwise decision given that there are terrorized groups making threats about that.  Not exactly terrorists, but people who are hysterically frightened. Probably some of the same people throwing bleach on medical personnel and barricading their homes because they are felt to be a risk to their neighbors. Closed hotels are offering rooms to medical staff.

That's the reality.

jamesr3939 wrote:

If Mexico is smart and plays it's cards correctly they could become the new power player in manufacturing.   If the rest of world realizes we should have never relied on China as a
single source for so many products and spreads the work around, as it should have been, then MX is in a great position.

Good point, unfortunately probably not under the current administration.

grmafluffy wrote:

As we have only had two cases of Covid-19 I guess all the protection may have amounted to something.

Reported cases in Mexico really mean nothing, since the country tests less than any other country in OECD at just 0.5 of every 1,000 people. The federal government has said that they are not interested in testing at a higher rate and will only test those with severe symptoms.

mejms wrote:

grmafluffy wrote:

As we have only had two cases of Covid-19 I guess all the protection may have amounted to something.

Reported cases in Mexico really mean nothing, since the country tests less than any other country in OECD at just 0.5 of every 1,000 people. The federal government has said that they are not interested in testing at a higher rate and will only test those with severe symptoms.

in actually for a number of reasons testing means little pretty much everywhere, so not testing without symptoms seems reasonable. The tests were designed for DNA testing. The main one being used is a PCR test,  Plus some of the tests the CDC passed out were contaminated with the suspected agent. Other than needing to lighten up on restrictions, Mexico is doing ok.