A call for a meeting made by the United States to the Organization of American States (OAS) to “analyze the situation in Cuba,” no doubt to justify interference, failed miserably due to the refusal of the majority of its member countries.

Party Political Bureau member and Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla posted a tweet yesterday, July 28, describing the events as a defeat for the U.S. within the pro-imperialist entity.

“Anti-Cuban maneuver in the OAS defeated. Rejection by a majority of member states forced suspension of a Permanent Council meeting,” the Foreign Minister stated, adding that the President pro tempore of the Council admitted the failure through a “pathetic letter insulting Cuba.”

Rodríguez Parrilla also thanked the countries which “defended Latin American and Caribbean dignity,” refusing to support the maneuver.

According to a report by Russia Today, Washington Abdala, president pro tempore of the Permanent Council, reported that, after receiving statements from several countries, it was decided to postpone the meeting to conduct consultations that could be useful.

Abdala added that he has asked the organization’s Secretariat for Legal Affairs to prepare a report on the situation in Cuba in relation to the OAS – an organization with no moral authority and a long history of betraying the peoples of Latin America. He said the document will be shared with OAS members when it is available.

(Taken from Granma)

During a meeting of the COVID-19 prevention and control national task force yesterday afternoon, the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, called for “the unity of Cubans, and respect among Cubans, freeing ourselves of any feelings of hatred, while demanding compliance with the norms that guarantee social tranquility in our society.”

Also in attendance were Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz and the President of the National Assembly of People’s Power, Esteban Lazo Hernández.
Diaz-Canel referred to the current situation in the country, marked by a dangerous new wave of COVID-19, the brutally tightened U.S. blockade and disturbances by small counterrevolutionary groups orchestrated from abroad.

He explained to those present at the meeting and authorities in all provinces and the special municipality via videoconference, that there must be clarity about the programs with which the enemy “intends to destabilize our country, and how they are being sorely disappointed.”

The President recalled all that has been done in the COVID battle and efforts to keep the economy going despite the epidemic’s impact, aggravated by escalating economic aggression on the part of the United States, adding, “We do not always achieve all the results we need since we do not have the necessary resources, because of the blockade,” but our objective continues to be “the real prosperity we want for our people.”

The motivations that move the efforts of Cuba in Revolution, our efforts, he said, “disrupt, destroy all the perversity of the empire’s plans, the plans of the Cuban-American mafia that is determined to prevent the revival of a dialogue of respect, of equals, without restrictive measures, without coercive measures between two countries that are very different ideologically, but are geographically close and could develop a fully civilized relationship, based on mutual respect. These, he stressed, are the arguments, the convictions that we must continue defending… reiterating our conviction and our truths.”

Referring to recent disturbances, the President noted, “The calls on social networks are totally aggressive, calling for murder, calling for lynching, threatening, calling for the destruction of facilities, calling for attacks against people’s homes, and in particular against persons identified as revolutionaries.”

“In other words, this talk that the government is repressing peaceful demonstrations, or the requests that Cuba or the government respect the opinion of its citizens is a total lie and a total slander. Those who are demonstrating are not demonstrating peacefully. They are motivated by the hatred that has been instilled in them by the strategy of subversion so outrageously mounted, so perverse, so maliciously promoted on social networks.”

“This is media terrorism…and we will be denouncing those who have joined these campaigns for supporting terrorism,” he said.
“If anyone should be on a list of terrorists, or of countries that support terrorism, it should be those who have lent themselves to this little game of the empire’s. But, we must be very calm, patient and serene.”

Díaz-Canel explained that those who have perpetrated media terrorism “have used the very demonstrations in support of the Revolution, as if they were against the Revolution,” even using photographs of events in other countries, that have nothing to do with Cuba. He cited a photo of a demonstration in Egypt and one of soccer fans in Argentina celebrating their victory in the Copa America, posted as anti-government protest in Cuba. “This is so ridiculous,” he said, “but it poisons and the worst thing is that we have people who are so taken with all this that they believe the information. This is why I believe we must be very coherent, we must continue denouncing what occurs on the social networks, and not to let ourselves be poisoned.”

He noted the real objective of those who are perpetrating this media terrorism, pointing out that Cuba’s enemies are attempting to create a situation of chaos, rock throwing, street barricades and all the phenomena they have instigated in other countries, which are outlined in the famous U.S. manual describing how soft coups, and their different phases, are conducted.

“We must continue working to eliminate the vestiges of delinquency we have, the vestiges we may have of indecent behavior; we must continue advancing with our social programs, which have been hit hard by the economic-financial situation, and the political will to work on this is there, but we cannot lower our guard…Wherever revolutionary vigilance exists, there will be no place for provocations, counterrevolutionary propaganda or vandalism. And sometimes we are obliged to take action in the face of this aggression; we must act firmly, but always avoiding any danger to human lives.”

The First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic called for “the unity of Cubans and respect among Cubans, freeing ourselves of any feelings of hatred… while demanding compliance with the norms that guarantee social tranquility in our society. And we will see, when at another time we evaluate what this moment meant and what they wanted to do to Cuba and our people, how many lies, how much hatred, how much viciousness, how much malice was calculated for all this.”

(Taken from Granma)

Dr. Victor Doeste Hernandez, coordinator of the intervention, reported to Granma that this figure represents 77% of residents over 19 years of age and 60% of the total population on the Isle of Youth, given the exclusion of the 540 residents who have been infected with the virus and those with other health problems, based on criteria established for the intervention.

He emphasized that this percentage meets the minimum required by the World Health Organization to achieve “herd” immunity against COVID-19.

Emphasized throughout the fifty-day vaccination campaign was continuing rigorous adherence to preventative sanitary measures, with positive results: no new cases of COVID-19 in the last two weeks.

Although the practical impact of this achievement in controlling the coronavirus is limited to this small portion of the country, the news is encouraging for all Cubans, since the effort, distinguished by the government’s special attention to the work, is indicative of what can be achieved on the big island.

(Taken from Granma)

The images of a cruise ship entering the Cuban port at dawn with several people positive for COVID-19 , a disease that had not yet reached the Island and that was becoming unknown, will surely remain for history, especially in that of those who They got out covered in biosecurity suits and silently shouting “I love you Cuba.”

In the year that will not be forgotten, there will also be the immortalized tears of the Cuban health professionals who left for the epicenter and the ends of the world to battle against the pandemic. Their faces upon being received at the airport after months away from home and in permanent risk of being infected, will forever fill the archive of our memory. Those Cubans who received them on one side of the road will do it in the same way, with a flag and a photo of Fidel in hand.

2020 was also, never to be forgotten, the year we lost too many people. People we had to fire in silence, late, filling balconies, painting walls and looking at the networks.

In the year of the pandemic, Cubadebate photographers grappled with the challenge of bringing us the image of the everyday when the known changed. Many of those lenses then went out to look for the photograph behind bars, in portals, streets and buses. It is always beautiful to reinvent yourself. Finding poetry in the common was also an achievement of these 366 days.

2020 was the year of solidarity, of the Cuban image, of predictions, of the red zone , of Sovereign , of talent and heroism. The year of the pandemic. The year we learned to look at each other and our photographers were there to see it.

We also share several works where some of the snapshots were originally published. Click on one of the photos to display all the images one after another on your screen and let us know in the comments which are your favorites .

(Cubadebate)

“We recognize that, in their presidential elections, the people of the United States have opted for a new direction. We believe in the possibility of a constructive bilateral relationship that respects differences,” the Cuban leader wrote on Twitter.

This year of presidential elections in the United States, Cuba has suffered a brutal reinforcement of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade. For the first time, the total amount of damages caused by this policy exceeded 5 billion dollars.

Joe Biden, 77, has been projected by the media as the 46th President of the United States. His running mate, now vice president-elect, is Kamala Harris, who has a long career as a lawyer and senator.

Biden had been a senator for nearly four decades and was vice president of the nation during Barack Obama’s two terms. In 2020, he won after surpassing the 270 votes he needed to beat Trump.

At the time of his victory, the AP reported that Biden had 284 electoral votes, a number reached after winning 20 from the state of Pennsylvania and previously 11 from Arizona.

(Taken from Granma)

This step is essential to request authorization for clinical trials in humans, sources of the BIOCUBAFARMA business group report.

It was also revealed that the first Cuban vaccine candidate against this lethal disease, also known as SOBERANA 1, had promising preliminary results. The source explained that no adverse or serious side effects were reported, but it still remain to assess the behavior of the trial and to process the samples to see if the vaccine actually created antibodies, as expected.

In late August, the Finlay Institute for Vaccines (IFV in Spanish), the leading institution in the research and manufacture of vaccines in Cuba, started the clinical trials of the first Cuban vaccine candidate against the new coronavirus, named Soberana 1.

Dagmar García Rivera, head of Research at the IFV, informed in her Twitter account that the phase I of clinical trials of the second vaccine candidate, named Soberana 2, starts today, following its approval by CECMED. This is the only project of a conjugated vaccine against this pandemic.

“Everything is ready to start the clinical trials of SOBERANA 2. Professionalism, rigor and ethics are at the essence. Our commitment with the health of our people…We will get there and we will prevail,” she tweeted.

“Once more, we will serve as an example of how the government-health-science alliance can achieve anything, when the health of the people is their priority,” the scientists wrote.

Eduardo Martínez Díaz, president of BIOCUBAFARMA, said that the strategy to obtain new vaccines against COVID -19 is going well. “We will have four candidates in clinical trials before 2020 ends.”

“In 2021, our population will be immunized against this virus. Cubans can trust their scientists and their commitment to the Homeland,” he added.

Martínez Díaz explained that there are many researchers working hard, putting their expertise, work and heart into the efforts.

“Just like we ask our people to trust their scientists, we would like to ask them, as long as there is no vaccine against COVID-19, to follow all measures established in the phase we are in. We can not let our guard down, not even a bit,” he said.

In Cuba, every batch of vaccine must undergo a rigorous assessment process, and once it is declared ready, it is certified for use.

(Taken from Granma)

This move, amidst a brutal pandemic, corroborates the U.S. government’s cynicism, opportunism and contempt for the Cuban people.

For more than 20 years, with professionalism and respect, Financiera Cimex S.A. has maintained commercial relations with companies in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world, processing remittances to Cuba. In all these years, the company has never lost a single penny. On the contrary, its services have continued to expand, despite U.S. persecution of Cuba’s financial transactions.

Family remittances to Cuba have been politicized by the anti-Cuban right wing in the United States. Since September of 2019, the U.S. government has continued to further restrict remittances with more coercive measures.

The recently announced decision is a direct attack on family remittances. Washington spokespersons are lying when they pretend that the restrictions will only affect one specific entity. Fincimex, which is key part of the Cuban financial system, is the entity designated by a sovereign decision of the Cuban government, to guarantee remittances to Cuba from the United States, which will be completely discontinued.

Among the U.S. counterparts of Fincimex is Western Union, an entity whose 407 outlets in Cuba, located across the country, will be closed as a result of the implementation of these brutal measures, which will also hamper the negotiations that, at the request of Fincimex, have been underway for some months now, in preparation for the launching of hard currency bank accounts here.

The U.S. government bears full responsibility for the interruption of remittance services between the two countries.

Most Cuban émigrés in the United States support the existence of stable relations with their families, and the U.S. government is deliberately damaging these relations.

Fincimex reiterates its commitment to the Cuban people and interest in identifying and establishing a safe and orderly process for remittances to Cuba.

(Taken from Granma)

Totally disregarding the impact of COVID-19, the White House stepped up its attacks… and limited, hindered, threatened, persecuted or sanctioned all those who aspired to do business with the island, intimidating and questioning even those who dared to think of Cuba’s Henry Reeve international medical contingent as a solution as their people faced a pandemic that strained health systems around the world.

But Cuba is Cuba.

In an October 22, 2020, online press conference, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented its report on damages caused by the U.S. blockade during the period between April 2019 and March 2020.

During this time span, the blockade caused losses to Cuba of an estimated 5,570,300,000 USD. This represents an increase of some 1.226 billion dollars over the previous period.

As if the damage suffered over almost 60 years were not enough, total damages caused by the policy, in just one year, exceeded the five billion dollar mark.

At current prices, accumulated losses over almost six decades amount to 144,413,400,000 dollars, which means that, considering the depreciation of the dollar as compared to the value of gold on the international market, the blockade has caused quantifiable damage of more than 1,098,008,000,000 dollars.

Granma offers our community of readers a ten-point summary to support better understanding of the policy’s brutality, over this last period.

1. The objective of the blockade policy is to destroy the Revolution, at any cost

Between April 2019 and March 2020, the U.S. Departments of Treasury and Commerce introduced regulatory changes under the blockade.

Producing a significant intimidating effect on Cuban partners, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed 12 penalties on U.S. and third-country entities for violating Cuban Assets Control Regulations. The amount of these penalties exceeded $2,403,985,125.

Specifically targeted was the oil sector, with 34 Venezuelan vessels and as many other foreign shippers sanctioned. The banking sector was also highly affected with companies in Germany, Austria and Italy facing fines totaling 1.3 million USD.

In 2019, the Department of State updated the List of Restricted Cuban Entities, by including 12 new targets, bringing the total to 223.

Thissame year, in June, they announced regulatory changes in policy toward Cuba, which primarily affected the travel sector and included the elimination of “people to people” trips and the implementation of a policy denying licenses for maritime passenger travel (cruises), recreational vessels, and private aircraft.

The new rules also stipulated that U.S. travelers arriving in Cuba under any of the 12 authorized categories could not conduct direct financial transactions with companies on the Cuban Restricted Entities List.

During 2019, a general policy was also approved which rules out the awarding of licenses to lease aircraft to Cuban state airlines; prevent the export to Cuba of items produced in other countries which contain more than 10% U.S. made components; and revise the Licensing Exception “Support to the Cuban People” eliminating the possibility of making donations to the government or Communist Party of Cuba.

Likewise, authorization for the export of promotional articles was eliminated and new restrictions were placed on the export of goods related to telecommunications.

2. The blockade’s extraterritorial reach is illegal

This system of sanctions represents a threat both to Cuba’s sovereign interests and rights and to those of third countries. Examples of its extraterritorial application abound, starting with the Air France KLM Group which, in April of 2019, communicated the decision to cancel its agreement with Cubana de Aviación.

Among other examples are Petrobras Uruguay which refused to offer its services to Cubana de Aviación due to the blockade; Viajes Falabella, a partner of Havanatur, faces limitations in directly or indirectly marketing Cuban hotels; and the International Air Transport Association suspended BSP service for our offices in Mexico, Italy, and France, given possible repercussions of blockade regulations.

The Cosco shipping company, based in Asia, suspended all shipments to Cuba, strongly affecting Cuban medical supplier Medicuba, and in November 2019 the company Trivago, a German technology company specialized in hotel and accommodations services, removed all Cuban hotel facilities from its Internet search platforms.

3. Activation of Titles III and IV of the Helms-Burton Act in no way benefit Cubans, as the U.S. government cynically asserts

Enacted in 1996, the Helms-Burton strengthened the extraterritorial impact of the blockade, affecting companies in third countries that have conducted business with Cuba in the past, or are doing so at this time.

This Title III allows former owners of nationalized property in Cuba to file claims, in U.S. courts, against those who had contact with such properties, a provision that had been suspended since the law’s inception by Presidential order, a step taken consistently every six months, for years. But, for the first time in 23 years, on May 2, 2019, legal proceedings were initiated under this Act and by March 31, 2020, a total of 25 lawsuits had been filed, of which three were withdrawn and 22 are still pending.

4. The U.S. government flagrantly violates the rights of the Cuban people

In terms of health in Cuba, from April 2019 to March 2020, the blockade caused losses on the order of $160,260,880. Accumulated damages over almost six decades in this sector have reached $3,074,033,738.

This policy denies our country access to medical technology of U.S. origin and that from any place in the world with more than 10% U.S. components.

Medicuba S.A. contacted seven U.S. suppliers and 50 other companies to request purchases. Their elusive responses or silence generated serious shortage of drugs and significant additional expenses to procure critical items elsewhere.

Affected in particular were supplies to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, different types of cancer, as well as progesterone, used in the Assisted Reproduction Program to prevent premature births and miscarriages, and Abiraterone Acetate for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Cuba is denied the opportunity to acquire hearing aids with state-of-the-art technology, including batteries and spare parts, since these have U.S. components.

5. Alleged flexibility in the blockade’s implementation in the food sector is largely non-existent

During the period analyzed, damages of approximately 428,894,637 dollars were recorded in the food sector. Many of these losses could have been avoided if Cuban companies could have accessed the U.S. market.

The food importing company, Alimport, registered significant effects due to high prices of frozen chicken in distant markets, compared to those in the U.S. market, which was impossible to access during this time.

The prices of this product in markets to which the Cuban entity resorted were between 350 and 600 dollars higher per metric ton than the U.S. price.

Difficulties in guaranteeing fuel supplies in Cuba caused interruptions in the productive cycles of several food processing enterprises, and disrupted the cultivation of crops, as well.

At the Los Portales beverage factory, located in Pinar del Río province, production was paralyzed for 77 days, since warehouses were full of finished products that could not be distributed as a result of fuel shortages, causing the loss of at least two million crates of soft drinks and water, valued at 10.9 million dollars.

In the months of November and December 2019, due to the unavailability of fuel, 30,130 tons of rice and more than 195,000 tons of food were not produced, and more than two million liters of milk and 481 tons of meat were not collected from farmers for processing.

6. Cubans abroad are also impacted by this hostile U.S. policy toward their homeland

For Cubans living abroad, blockade regulations present obstacles on a daily basis. They are prevented from opening bank accounts, using certain credit cards and conducting financial transactions normally, simply because they are Cuban.

With regard to airline flights, an issue that significantly affected Cuban families, all operations by U.S. airlines to and from Cuba were suspended, with the exception of flights to Havana’s José Martí International Airport.

The measure took effect on December 10, 2019, and on January 10, 2020, also suspended were charter flights between the U.S. and Cuban destinations, with the exception of a reduced number to Havana.

Another limitation that affected Cuban families, both inside and beyond the island, was the imposition of a limit on remittances of $1,000 per quarter, the elimination of donor (non-family) remittances, and the suspension of Cuba-related transfers to and from the U.S.

On October 25, 2019, Western Union Canada made public the decision to limit the amounts of remittances that can be sent to Cuba, abiding by the restrictive measures of the U.S. government.

In February 2020, the U.S. company Western Union implemented new regulations and eliminated the sending of remittances to Cuba from third countries.

7. Intimidation and persecution against those who trade with Cuba is standard practice for the current U.S. administration

Total damages caused by the blockade to the external sector of the Cuban economy during this period amount to 3,013,951,129 dollars.

The dissuasive and intimidating effect of the blockade on businesses and entities in the United States and third countries, aggravated by activation of the Helms-Burton Act’s Title III, has led to the cancellation of commercial operations, cooperative work and foreign investment projects that were at different stages of development.

The possibility of negative repercussions has led banking and financial institutions to refuse to work with Cuban entities, for fear of being subjected to sanctions.

The greatest impact is seen in lost income from exports of goods and services, valued at $2,475,700,000.

Tourism continues to be the most affected sector in this regard, accounting for 72.6% of the total, reaching 1.798 billion dollars, which represents an increase of 260 million over the previous period analyzed.

Given the impossibility of exporting to the U.S. as a result of the blockade’s restrictions, the Cuban agricultural sector is reported to have been affected to the tune of 184 million dollars.

Of this figure, 84.3% is attributed to exports lost by the cigar enterprise group Habanos S.A., while the remainder, some 26.5 million, reflects potential exports of marabou charcoal, pineapple, honey, coffee and fresh products, purchased mainly by cruise ships, before stops in Cuba were eliminated.

Between April 2019 and March 2020, the ban on the use of the dollar has affected Cuban foreign trade causing losses of some $92,883,153, while the increase in the cost of financing due to country risk ratings is estimated at $ 25,841,716.

8. Essential sectors for Cuban society as the main targets of aggression

The provision of inclusive education, free of charge, to which the Cuban state allocated 23.7% of its social budget for 2020, was made more difficult by shortages and inadequacies that limit the teaching and learning process. Between April 2019 and March 2020, the impact on this sector is estimated to have been $21,226,000.

The fuel deficit seriously impacted education, affecting 52 institutions and leading to readjustments of curricula and teaching schedules.

In sports, the company Cubadeportes has seen its ability to import sports equipment from U.S. companies sharply limited, denying athletes access to items of obligatory use, as stipulated in official regulations of international federations. The negative impact on sports is estimated at approximately 9,995,000 dollars.

Likewise, in the cultural sector, damages are on the order of 22,150,000 dollars.

The U.S. blockade hampers the circulation of Cuban art around the world, persecuting and censoring the efforts of our creators, while extending its strategy of isolation to the international corporate media and established circuits for the distribution of art.

Among the blockade’s effects are obstacles created to the commercialization of Cuban film, given the impossibility of screening our cinematographic works in the United States. The recently escalated hate campaign against our cultural sector, orchestrated by the United States, has been brutal.

In the communications and information technology sector, including telecommunications, losses are estimated at $64,274,042.

By making connectivity in the country more difficult and expensive, placing conditions on access to platforms and technologies, and using cyberspace in attempts to subvert Cuba’s political and legal system, this policy has negatively affected the development of communications in Cuba.

Etecsa, Cuba’s telecommunications company, continues to be the entity suffering the greatest impact, suffering approximately 97% of the total amount calculated.

9. The COVID-19 pandemic has produced no “loosening” of the blockade

The negative impact of the blockade is aggravated and even more cruel in the current context of COVID-19. In March of 2020, due to U.S. restrictions on shippers, delivery was prevented of a donation including mechanical ventilators, diagnostic testing kits, face masks and other medical supplies from the Chinese company Alibaba.

The Swiss companies IMT Medical AG and Acutronic medical systems AG, recently acquired by a U.S. company, cited the blockade’s sanctions when refusing to sell Cuba advanced technology ventilators for COVID patients in serious and critical condition.

In April 2020, it became known that the Swiss banks UBS, Banque Cler and the Cantonal Bank of Basel refused to transfer donations made by the Swiss solidarity organizations MediCuba-Switzerland and the Switzerland-Cuba Association, since the name of the island was mentioned in records of financial transactions.

The blockade’s impact on bilateral agreements signed by Cuba with several countries in the Americas has seriously limited medical attention available to some 67 million people.

10. Support provided by voices raised against the blockade is much appreciated

Numerous petitions have called on the President of the United States to use his executive powers to lift the blockade.

After the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, many actors in the international system spoke out against the blockade and unilateral coercive measures in general.

During the period under review, 256 actions by organizations in solidarity with Cuba took place in 87 countries.

(Take from Granma)

This, of course, means that their safety, and specifically their health, depend fundamentally on the level of care they receive from adults, and the precautions these adults take to avoid exposing their children to the risk of possible infection.

In Cuba, as of September 6, a total of 467 patients of pediatric age had tested positive for the SARS-COV-2 virus, 83.3% of whom have recovered satisfactorily.

This does not imply, however, that no child with the disease reaches serious condition, as confirmed by statistics gathered worldwide related to aggravation of the disease and deaths among children with COVID-19.

While this is not the most common scenario for the youngest patients who generally experience mild symptoms, or none at all, a real danger exists, making prevention the best vaccine against the disease.

WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT COVID-19 IN CHILDREN?

While across the planet important studies have been conducted to determine exactly the reactions of children to the disease, their capacity to infect others, and why they experience milder symptoms than adults, experts at the World Health Organization insist that much remains to be investigated to reach conclusive findings.

Despite this reality, important contributions have been made to understanding the impact of the disease in this vulnerable segment of the population, which have shed light on the symptoms, the viral load, and long term physical effects, as well as psychological, among children.

Since April this year, for example, doctors in Britain have identified an increase among pediatric COVID patients of multi-systematic inflammatory syndrome. Something similar was noted in New York, and reports from other nations have emerged.

In a statement to National Geographic, Rachel Graham, an epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina, explained that more long-term studies are needed of children who have recovered from COVID-19, to precisely identify possible long term effects of the disease.

The fact is that, since the development of complications is much more frequent in other age groups, fewer studies of pediatric patients are conducted.

On the other hand, diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps have been identified as the symptoms that most commonly indicate an infection in children, as opposed to those usually first exhibited by adults, according to researchers at Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The study demonstrated that, at this early age, the presence of the disease is not always obvious, and can be confused with other common ailments, making immediate medical attention key to an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.

As the pandemic has continued over these months, with the world immersed in the battle against this new coronavirus, questions have emerged as to whether children can infect adults or not, an issue that, according to experts, has not been adequately studied. One study was however recently published in the JAMA Pediatrics journal, showing that the viral load carried by children over five years of age is similar to that of adults. But below this age, the presence of the virus in the upper respiratory tract can be ten to one hundred times greater than that seen in older children and adults – thus potentially making these young children and infants powerful propagators of the illness.

And COVID-19 does leave effects after recovery. This issue has been studied and reliable findings are available. In the case of children, ongoing difficulty in breathing, chest pain, and diarrhea have been identified.

Other effects of a psychological nature must also be considered. The abrupt changes in daily routines, the isolation, and the closing of schools, leaving children without their principal opportunity for socialization, have been cited as the effects of greatest impact.

ARE CHILDREN LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TOSARS-COV-2?

The recent increase in the number of children and adolescents infected by the new coronavirus shows that they are as susceptible to the disease as adults, and this is an issue that the World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized.

The international body, cited by teleSur, noted that testing to date suggests that children and young adults are less likely to develop a serious case of the illness, but such cases do emerge in all age groups, and the same protocols of quarantine and isolation must be followed if a child exhibits symptoms or the possibility of exposure exists.

The growing number of adolescents and young people being infected, a trend noted in outbreaks around the world following the relaxing of restrictions, is alarming. The multinational broadcaster reports that, according to WHO data, between February 24 and July 12, the number of patients 15 to 24 years of age increased from 4.5% of the total to 15%.

The vulnerability of the pediatric age group is understood in its full dimension when other aggravating factors are considered, such as poverty, the lack of hygienic conditions, limited access to health care, and the suspension of regular immunization programs during the pandemic.

THE NEWS NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR

“COVID-19 can be fatal for children: The figures are low until it happens to your child.” This was the headline of an article in the Washington Post reporting the death of Skylar Herbert, a five-year-old who became the first little girl to die in Michigan, as a consequence of COVID-19.

More stories from other regions, just as sad, can be read, and who knows how many others will never be told. But they provide the clear evidence that children, adolescents and young adults are not invulnerable, their lives can also be cut short by the pandemic.

In normal times, children are a high priority for Cuba’s public health system. Now, in times of pandemic, efforts are redoubled to avoid infection in this age group and guarantee the recovery of those who do get sick. This joint work has prevented such terrible losses on our island.

Nonetheless, we must ask ourselves, if the basic cell of our society, the family, is making the same effort to provide the care our treasured children need, with the same insistence that the state has shown.

This subject deserves reflection, since saving a life depends not only on the professionalism, willpower, and vigilance of our health workers. At times, all this is not enough, since, in medicine, two plus two is not always four.

Let us reject the myths that cloud our thinking, and the figures that produce over-confidence. Can children suffer a serious case of COVID-19? Yes. Can children die from COVID-19? Yes. Can our responsibility, discipline, and heightened awareness prevent an infection? Yes. This, too, is possible.

(Source: Granma)

Those who are able to return, surely in short order, will be amazed by the novelties and how much Cuba’s principal sun and sand destination has changed.

The central boulevard’s attractive new design, the renovated Plaza America Convention Center, and a refurbished Josone Park are among the projects undertaken here to better face the challenging international panorama and welcome the next International Tourism Fair, re-scheduled for May of 2021.

Despite the adverse circumstances created by the health emergency, over the past five months, these have been busy times at the beach, where construction at more than a few sites has continued nonstop.

A NEW PLAZA

Ivis Fernández, Ministry of Tourism representative in the province, insists that the workforce here has not stood idly by, waiting for the COVID-19 epidemic to be contained, but rather focused on the revitalization that is giving the renowned resort a new face, creating the conditions to better provide excellent service.

“No one has stopped working here. There are hundreds of construction crews working to beautify the resort, without overlooking epidemiological precautions,” she states proudly.

One of the most visibly busy sites is the Plaza America Convention Center. An emblematic building, one of a kind in Cuba’s tourism sector, where significant changes have been made.

Project manager Osvaldo Hernández explained that the work involves a capital renovation and includes the plenary hall, as well as other rooms for meetings and events, now equipped with the latest technology, to meet international standards for such facilities.

The effort also involves expansion and improvement of basic services, replacement of flooring and other structures, as well as the updating of aluminum trim to offer a more attractive, modern image. Maintenance and redecorating of outdoor areas and landscaping has not been overlooked, he added.

This will be a new plaza, a convention center with better conditions, emphasized Prime Minster Manuel Marrero Cruz, during a recent visit to Varadero, that included a tour of works underway.

In addition to the renovations, a significant amount of sand has been deposited on areas of the waterfront suffering erosion, a procedure begun decades ago that has proved effective in maintaining the world-famous beach.

THE BOULEVARD, A STAR ATTRACTION

Nonetheless, the pride of the comprehensive project is the downtown boulevard, that includes some seven hectares in the central historic district, and will surely add to Varadero’s unique attraction. The novelty is that the pedestrian mall does not follow a linear path, as is customary.

It covers a distance along several blocks where various services are available, including those offering classic Cuban coffee, rum and cigars, with others featuring cultural products and activities valued by our people, commented Ramón Pupo Finalé, project manager.

All work being done is of the highest quality, according to Rafael Velázquez from Las Tunas and Villa Clara native René Rodríguez, two specialists supporting the project.

All are paying careful attention to progress being made on the boulevard, expected to become Varadero’s stellar attraction.

They insist it is a kind of gift for the destination that will play an important role in the resort’s future development.

A GREEN JEWEL

Another site being renovated is Josone Park, known as the resort’s green jewel, expected to once again become its cultural and recreational center, as one the town’s most historic and beautiful sites.

Rafael Rivero Brito, administrator of facilities here, with several buildings of significant heritage value, explained that work is underway to improve the principal gathering spots La Estrella, El Golfito and La Campana, noting the complexity involved in cleaning the lake, in which years of sediment has accumulated.

Another laudable effort is the restoration of the 200-meter tunnel that connects the park and the beachfront, an attraction for visitors.

These constructive projects are fundamentally intended to reinforce the prestige Varadero has gained in the leisure industry, to further distinguish the resort on the basis of the quality of services available and the beauty of the small town, in addition to the renowned white sand and clear waters.

The construction is advancing on schedule and will be completed as planned, authorities report, while insisting that this is only the beginning of even greater growth.

DOMESTIC TOURISM GAINING GROUND

Since the resort was re-opened to the public, as the province entered the first stage of recovery from the COVID-19 epidemic, without overlooking any hygienic-sanitary precautions, tens of thousands of Cuban vacationers have been accommodated in the resort’s hotels.

Luis Martínez, a member of the Ministry of Tourism’s staff in the province, noted that this confirms the increasing importance of the internal market, which is in no way relegated to a secondary level.

Over the last few years, Cuba itself has become the second largest emissary of visitors to the resort, and takes the first spot during the months of July and August, he added. For us, there is but one type of tourism and we treat all visitors the same, he insisted.

Martínez reported that the 15 hotels operating at this time have a high occupancy rate, in line with the reduced capacity approved from this stage of the recovery, and thanks to strict adherence to preventative measures, no cases of COVID-19 have been reported.

Vacationers surveyed, like Orlando and Barbarita, a couple from the municipality of Colón, reported that they were pleased with the service provided and sanitary conditions in hotels, adding that they plan to return next summer.

Varadero’s doors remain open, Martínez stated, noting that the recent tropical storm Laura caused no significant damage in the area, where the focus is still on providing quality services and protecting the health of visitors and staff. Discipline and careful adherence to sanitary protocols continue to be the number one priority, he stressed.

Mother Nature made this beach an exceptional site, but beyond this magic, the people of Matanzas are intent upon making clear that the resort’s greatest attraction is the fraternal attention provided by those who work in Varadero, this little piece of our land that contributes to recognition of Cuba as a special place in the world.

IN CONTEXT:

What is Varadero doing to become the best beach in the world?

Work is underway to be earn designation as an environmentally friendly resort area, a Cuban recognition that has already been attained by ten installations here.

Efforts are intended to reinforce the attributes cited in February of 2019, when Varadero was chosen as the world’s second best beach in the world, in the Traveler’s Choice awards, published annually by the popular website TripAdvisor, on which users provide the largest portion of the content, reporting on their travel experiences.

The natural beauty of the beach continues to be the main attraction for visitors, making careful environmental management a priority, along with further improvement of services.

Every new season will begin with greater diversity and quality of services offered in and beyond hotels, as well as the addition of new air travel operations.

Varadero is an established destination and maintains its status as a preferred vacation spot for many tourists, receiving more than a million visitors annually since 2008, who consistently report high levels of satisfaction.

With 53 hotels and some 22,000 rooms, work is underway in Varadero to ensure that, every new season, accommodation capacity is increased, with novel products available; that positive security ratings and recognition of the excellency of services are reaffirmed.

(Source: Granma)