{"id":24787,"date":"2020-03-31T16:10:08","date_gmt":"2020-03-31T21:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/popular_education_in_health_epes_in_chile_responds_to_the_covid_19_pandemic\/"},"modified":"2020-03-31T16:10:08","modified_gmt":"2020-03-31T21:10:08","slug":"popular_education_in_health_epes_in_chile_responds_to_the_covid_19_pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/popular_education_in_health_epes_in_chile_responds_to_the_covid_19_pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"Popular Education in Health (EPES) in Chile Responds to the COVID-19 Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cWe must take extreme measures to respond to this crisis. But the lesson from our sacred traditions is that these measures, where they align with the basic demands of justice, cannot be temporary. Plague in the Bible is not a storm weathered before a return to normalcy. It\u2019s a call to come together in new ways in order to survive, hold the powerful responsible for their unjust policies and the lies they\u2019ve told to cover up injustice, and rebuild on foundations of love and justice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/em>Rev. Dr.Liz Theoharis, Sojournors
March 18, 2020
<\/em>https:\/\/sojo.net\/articles\/plagues-expose-foundations-injustice<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Warm greetings on behalf of EPES, in these difficult times for humanity. Here is a summary of the impact of COVID-19 in Chile and our response.<\/p>\n

After five months of social mobilization with terrible violence created by the State, Chile is facing an extremely complex situation since COVID-19 arrived in the country in early March. After so many months of mass mobilization and little or no response, except government repression, many people felt that the announcement of the COVID-19 threat was just a strategy by the Pi\u00f1era government to stop social organization and protests.<\/p>\n

The epidemiologic situation in Chile<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first case of COVID-19 appeared in Chile on March 3, 2020. Currently, Chile is in Phase 4 of the epidemic: non-traceable infections, at the community and mass level. As of March 30, there are 2,449 cases, with 310 persons infected from the previous day, 122 people hospitalized, 82 with mechanical ventilation, and 8 deceased people, all older adults. The Metropolitan region presents a higher rate in the country (64% of all the cases), especially in high-income communes.<\/p>\n

Government response<\/strong><\/p>\n

The government has implemented a system of testing by medical order to identify patients who consult in health centers, treat them, and isolate them, but that has been insufficient for the magnitude of the problem. Authorities have been implementing voluntary quarantines and the closure of public spaces and educational establishments. On March 26, a compulsory quarantine began in seven communes of Santiago (Lo Barnechea, Las Condes, Vitacura, \u00d1u\u00f1oa, Independencia, Providencia, and Santiago) present the most constration of reported cases.<\/p>\n

The government has taken measures that do not consider the situation of structural inequality that exists in the country. Although quarantines are valid and recommended measures, it is crucial to accompany those measures with economic mitigation strategies and social support for the most vulnerable groups, which it has not done in Chile. Quarantines are useful for people who have resources for self-sufficiency, and most of them can work from home. In the popular sectors where EPES works, precarious, self-employed, salaried, and contract-free jobs prevail, so people cannot stay at home working, because they need to have funds to support themselves. Also, it is challenging to stock up because there are many supermarkets closed due to the outbreak.\u00a0 Looting and increased control of the territories by drug traffickers affect business and people\u00b4s safety. Health services are not enough to cope with the crisis.\u00a0 There aren\u00b4t sufficient human resources or necessary supplies for the protection of health personnel and care for the population. The situation of the elderly is dangerous.\u00a0 Many are unable to seek health services since some are live alone or bedridden.<\/p>\n

Projection of COVID-19<\/strong> in Chile<\/strong><\/p>\n

No one is sure how this pandemic will evolve around the world.\u00a0 There are several projections for Chile, but with no clarity on when the peak of contagion will be.\u00a0 However, EPES hopes to return to work gradually in June to respond to the vast economic crisis, social, political, and spiritual that affects our country.<\/p>\n

EPES Response Phases<\/strong><\/p>\n

EPES was founded during the military dictatorship when there was 80% unemployment in poor communities, thousands of people without jobs, and a general state of despair.\u00a0 They responded quickly and efficiently after the 2010 earthquakes. The organization is prepared to respond to extreme situations. We will adapt our projects to accompany marginalized and severely affected communities by COVID-19 and the lack of effective government public policies before, during, and after the pandemic.<\/p>\n

Phase 1. \u00a0Preparation for the impact of the virus (March 2020)<\/strong><\/p>\n