On June 15th I was supposed to leave for Peru on a trip funded by the U.S. State Department. While there I would be partnered up with a Peruvian teacher and spend time in their school and community. I would be immersed in the culture, I would build partnerships, and I would co-teach lessons with my partner teacher. The connection that I was to build would server as a foundation for infusing global learning into my curriculum.
Then 2020 happened. The spread of SARS-CoV-2 first hit China and Europe before making its way to North America. It spread quickly and soon many cities in the Northeast were facing skyrocketing cases. For a couple months numbers in South America were fairly low. Peru did everything right. They were one the first countries to shut their borders, they enacted curfews, and issued a stay at home order. Peru, as a nation, did everything they could to prepare and try to reduce the impact of the pandemic. One of their neighboring countries had the opposite response and ignored the issue. Their president even commented on how he believes they are naturally immune to the virus. This is the only South American country to have more confirmed cases. It makes sense why a country (or some states in the US) that doesn’t do anything sees higher numbers but why does a country that worked so hard to keep it under control have so many confirmed cases?
Unfortunately poverty plays a role in the spreading of illnesses such as this. Peru has had one of the fastest growing economies in the region and they have been working on improving infrastructure but they still have a long ways to go. This article helps to explain why the virus hit Peru so hard.
Coronavirus – What’s Happening in Peru?
Early on in the pandemic you could read in the news how countries (like the US, Russia, China) were sharing equipment like ventilators but I wonder if the countries in South America and Africa are receiving the same assistance? It was horrific to read about what they have been going through in Peru. Things are slowly improving but here is a look at what things were like at one point.
Peruvians cry out for oxygen as coronavirus takes its toll
It shouldn’t take a pandemic for the world to see why it needs to work together. Hopefully things start to improve in Peru and their populace are able to stay healthy. Peruvians are strong, beautiful people and I hope someday I do get to visit their country!
Associated UN Sustainable Development Goals
Goal #1: No Poverty
Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being