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Mexico breathes a bit easier Mexico breathes a bit easier
(20 minutes later)
By Cecilia Barria BBC Mundo, Mexico City Mexicans take extra care on the metroBy Cecilia Barria BBC Mundo, Mexico City Mexicans take extra care on the metro
It looks like an ordinary weekday in Mexico City: buses and the subway are packed; there is traffic noise, pollution, queues, impatience, stress.It looks like an ordinary weekday in Mexico City: buses and the subway are packed; there is traffic noise, pollution, queues, impatience, stress.
People eat tacos at road corners. But take a second look and it is far from normal.People eat tacos at road corners. But take a second look and it is far from normal.
Many people still wear masks. Few walk hand-in-hand or kiss.Many people still wear masks. Few walk hand-in-hand or kiss.
In lifts, everyone is suspicious of one another. It is impossible to tell who carries the influenza virus that is now known to have led to 42 deaths and infected more 1,000 people in recent weeks.In lifts, everyone is suspicious of one another. It is impossible to tell who carries the influenza virus that is now known to have led to 42 deaths and infected more 1,000 people in recent weeks.
Sales of soap, chlorine, disinfectant and anti-bacterial products have sky-rocketed.Sales of soap, chlorine, disinfectant and anti-bacterial products have sky-rocketed.
After several days of a sort of voluntary house arrest, people have started getting back out in numbers onto the streets of the capital.After several days of a sort of voluntary house arrest, people have started getting back out in numbers onto the streets of the capital.
The "pseudo-quarantine" is over, but is Mexico getting back to normal?The "pseudo-quarantine" is over, but is Mexico getting back to normal?
We'll do our best to follow all the rules, but we cannot turn waiters into doctors who are about to start surgery Francisco Mijares National restuarants associationWe'll do our best to follow all the rules, but we cannot turn waiters into doctors who are about to start surgery Francisco Mijares National restuarants association
"Of course it is, don't you see the drug gangs have started killing people again?" a smiling man told the BBC while rushing to catch the green man sign at a road crossing."Of course it is, don't you see the drug gangs have started killing people again?" a smiling man told the BBC while rushing to catch the green man sign at a road crossing.
Despite the light-hearted mood, many wonder how long this "normality" will have to co-exist with restrictions that aim to eliminate the virus.Despite the light-hearted mood, many wonder how long this "normality" will have to co-exist with restrictions that aim to eliminate the virus.
The tourist sector, restaurants, cinemas and sports arenas are not the only ones that have been affected.The tourist sector, restaurants, cinemas and sports arenas are not the only ones that have been affected.
Many people who work in the informal or black economy saw their income vanish overnight.Many people who work in the informal or black economy saw their income vanish overnight.
"I'm happy that I have work again," said Enrique Landeros, who sells tacos at one of Mexico City's metro stations."I'm happy that I have work again," said Enrique Landeros, who sells tacos at one of Mexico City's metro stations.
Deep cleaningDeep cleaning
On Wednesday, the Mexican government allowed businesses to start re-opening, with restrictions lifted on Thursday on bars, theatres, sports arenas and football stadiums.On Wednesday, the Mexican government allowed businesses to start re-opening, with restrictions lifted on Thursday on bars, theatres, sports arenas and football stadiums.
University and high schools students could go back to class, although younger pupils have another few days off until their schools can re-open.University and high schools students could go back to class, although younger pupils have another few days off until their schools can re-open.
Most of Mexico City's 35,000 restaurants are open again, but with only half of their previous capacity. This is due to an official recommendation to keep a gap of at least 2.5m between tables.Most of Mexico City's 35,000 restaurants are open again, but with only half of their previous capacity. This is due to an official recommendation to keep a gap of at least 2.5m between tables.
The measure was labelled as "impractical" by many businessmen.The measure was labelled as "impractical" by many businessmen.
"We lost almost 100% of our sales and we have to pay the rent, the employees, the suppliers," said Alexandro Franco, who owns the Non Solo restaurant in Mexico City. "It's good to re-open, but this is only a palliative.""We lost almost 100% of our sales and we have to pay the rent, the employees, the suppliers," said Alexandro Franco, who owns the Non Solo restaurant in Mexico City. "It's good to re-open, but this is only a palliative."
According to the new rules, waiters must clean the tables, the menus and the salt and pepper containers after each customer.According to the new rules, waiters must clean the tables, the menus and the salt and pepper containers after each customer.
They must not lend their pens to anyone and are expected to wash their hands constantly.They must not lend their pens to anyone and are expected to wash their hands constantly.
"We'll do our best to follow all the rules, but we cannot turn waiters into doctors who are about to start surgery," says Francisco Mijares, president of the national restaurants' association."We'll do our best to follow all the rules, but we cannot turn waiters into doctors who are about to start surgery," says Francisco Mijares, president of the national restaurants' association.
No whisperingNo whispering
Recommendations for customers include washing their hands up to the elbow for at least 20 seconds, using anti-bacterial gel and not to wear ties which are thought to help spread the virus.Recommendations for customers include washing their hands up to the elbow for at least 20 seconds, using anti-bacterial gel and not to wear ties which are thought to help spread the virus.
In offices, people are being advised to keep work spaces ventilated, to stay at least a metres away from colleagues, and not to share stationery. In offices, people are being advised to keep work spaces ventilated, to stay at least a metre away from colleagues, and not to share stationery.
It is also thought not to be advisable to whisper jokes or secrets in someone else's ear.It is also thought not to be advisable to whisper jokes or secrets in someone else's ear.
Some people think Mexico will never be the same.Some people think Mexico will never be the same.
Restaurant tables have to be 2.5m apartRestaurant tables have to be 2.5m apart
The government remains cautious, although it has allowed itself to show a little optimism.The government remains cautious, although it has allowed itself to show a little optimism.
Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova said that the threat of new deaths had diminished - most of them happened before 29 April.Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova said that the threat of new deaths had diminished - most of them happened before 29 April.
But he stopped short of saying the disease is under control.But he stopped short of saying the disease is under control.
"Speaking of control means not having a single case in at least 15 days," he said."Speaking of control means not having a single case in at least 15 days," he said.
President Felipe Calderon echoed his health secretary's comments, saying "it's not time to shout victory or to say that the flu is under control and over".President Felipe Calderon echoed his health secretary's comments, saying "it's not time to shout victory or to say that the flu is under control and over".
Even when Mexico emerges from the immediate crisis, the epidemic will have a lasting impact on the people and the economy.Even when Mexico emerges from the immediate crisis, the epidemic will have a lasting impact on the people and the economy.
Many jobs have been lost and will not easily be recreated as the epidemic has coincided with the biggest global economic downturn for a generation.Many jobs have been lost and will not easily be recreated as the epidemic has coincided with the biggest global economic downturn for a generation.
However, most analysts believe that there will be a long, slow, steady recovery - but only as long as the virus does not return.However, most analysts believe that there will be a long, slow, steady recovery - but only as long as the virus does not return.