SAO PAULO (AP) – A wave of COVID-19 cases halts the samba steps in Brazil’s largest metropolis, as Argentina’s capital tiptoes back to the tango floor.
The two largest cities in each of the contiguous South American countries are heading in opposite directions, reflecting how those who lift restrictions despite warnings from scientists see a spike in the pandemic, while others who maintain social distance measures can get their economies out sooner. reopen.
Sao Paulo, home to nearly 12 million people, is bracing for its worst two weeks to date in the pandemic and the growing risk that its once-resilient health care system will collapse, João Doria government 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 at Albert Einstein’s private hospital, are full for the first time.
Doria announced that the entire state, home to 46 million people, will face the highest restrictions on Saturday to stop the spread of the virus. That means closing all bars, restaurants, shopping centers and other establishments considered non-essential until at least March 19.
Meanwhile, Buenos Aires’ nearly 3 million residents are enjoying a relaxation of their restrictions, with permission to attend cinemas taking effect this week. On Wednesday, official figures showed that only 26% of intensive care beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients. Low hospital admissions allowed local authorities to reopen bars and restaurants until 2am in mid-February – something long sought after in a city known for its all-day culture.
That means Buenos Aires’ famous steakhouses rekindle their fires, while Sao Paulo counterparts put out theirs.
Buenos Aires casinos also reopened in late 2020 and authorities are discussing whether the football-mad city can return to stadiums anytime soon. Despite Bolsonaro’s pressure to keep fans coming back, no local government in Brazil is seriously considering opening stadiums. The 48,000-seat NeoQuimica arena on the east side of Sao Paulo is used as a vaccination station.
Good news came from the Sao Paulo region on Tuesday, when footballer Pelé received his 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 preserve lives until many people have taken the vaccine, ”said the three-time World Cup winner. “When you go out, don’t forget your mask and keep a social distance.”
His plea is important – even a year after the pandemic started – as Bolsonaro continues to cast doubt on the effectiveness of masks.
The distance between the two nations has seemingly widened during the pandemic, with Bolsonaro and Argentina’s Alberto Fernández using opposite influences in their approach to the crisis. The former has mitigated the risks of the disease and has urged to keep the economy going, while the latter has taken a more cautious approach.
Fernández imposed one of the longest quarantines in the world between March and October, despite the risk of harming an economy already in recession.
For the past week, Brazil recorded 35 COVID-19 deaths per million inhabitants, almost three times as many as Argentina.
Problems in Sao Paulo worsened after covert Carnival celebrations in mid-February. Although street celebrations and parades were canceled, many paulistas, as the residents are known, traveled around or joined unmasked gatherings. The city refused to allow days off traditionally allowed during the Carnival period, in an effort to dissuade people from partying.
Izidoro Silveira, 34, got a job as a waiting table at a pizzeria in downtown Sao Paulo two months ago after being unemployed for almost a year. He is upset about the impending closure of his restaurant.
“Those who make deliveries won’t hurt, but I and many others will,” said a troubled Silveira as he watched a television news show about the closure. ‘I don’t know what to tell my wife and my daughter. I fear that I will lose my job again, even if I work in a place that takes every precaution. “
Not far from there, cinemas on the city’s main drag, Paulista Avenue, are empty, as they have been since the pandemic began.
Argentina’s convenience doesn’t mean the virus is completely under control. Wednesday’s official figures showed 262 deaths and more than 8,700 new infections in the country. The roll-out of vaccines has been slow. But the overwhelming gloom in Sao Paulo seems to be a long way from Buenos Aires.
With a bag of popcorn in one hand and a soft drink in the other, 8-year-old Bautista Sundblat was eager to enter a cinema in Buenos Aires’s Palermo neighborhood to watch “Bad Boys Forever.”
“He’s very excited,” said his mother, Martina. ‘We had waited a long time. There are few seats, everything is taken care of down to the last detail. He’s a movie buff. There is still a long way to go, but little by little we are getting where we wanted. “
___ Rey reported from Buenos Aires.