My husband and I will be moving to The Villages soon from the country of Panama, originally from Texas. We have lived in Panama for going on 6 years. I roll my eyes when I hear people talking about lockdowns and hoarding. The entire country of Panama is under a mask mandate and a curfew from 10 pm to 4 am. When the pandemic first started in Panama, no businesses were open except hospitals, gas stations, grocery stores and pharmacies. Airports were closed, no flights in or out of Panama. No buses or taxis were allowed out. No beer or liquor sales were allowed. Women could get out for grocery shopping and pharmacies on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for 2 hours only, time women could get out for 2 hours was based on passport or ID number. My time was 11 am to 1 pm. Men could get out for their 2 hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. My husband's time was 11 am to 1 pm. No one could get out after their time allotted or on the weekends, not even to walk. There were checkpoints set up to make sure people were not out when it was not their designated time. The police have the authority to fine or arrest anyone if they refused to be in their home if it was not their designated day and time, this also included refusing to wear a mask.
There was no hoarding going on. There was always food, toilet paper, etc available for everyone. People were respectful of leaving products on the store shelves for others.
Businesses are now all open. Everyone must wear a mask when out of the house. You can be fined or arrested if you refuse to wear a mask. The majority of the country has been vaccinated including myself and my husband. The Minister of Health and a committee makes the covid restrictions, they are all doctors. The politicians do not make the restrictions. The entire country is under the same mask mandates and curfew. No fighting or lawsuits among the towns and cities.
So please before complaining about Walmart being closed for a few hours, it could be much worse. Being in a different country during the pandemic has been difficult at times but it was for the health of the population. We are moving back to the United States because of family members that are ill.
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