Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events Sunday, December 6

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 We had some rain in the morning, then this storm cloud to the east, that didn't rain on us. 

 Today the total reported number of C-19 cases for Isla Mujeres remains at 226 with 20 deaths and 190 recovered. On the national map for 12/4, the municipality reports 125 negatives and 155 suspicious. The state geoportal for 12/5 reports one active case in colonia El Canotal.

        The 2021 Fiscal Package is being discussed by state legislators & one proposal under consideration is raising the hospedaje (lodging) tax from 3% to 5%. Facing cuts imposed by the Federal Government, this increase is being promoted because it doesn't directly tax the local population, but is considered as being "paid by visitors who have high purchasing power & therefore can afford this increase." Hoteliers say 5% makes competition difficult with other Caribbean destinations, while politicians point out that some European & Latin American countries charge 8-12%. Some claim the increase would be minimal for each visitor and wouldn't affect competitiveness very much, noting that the 3% tax brought in 1.65 billion pesos in 2018, so the increase would net 1.1 billion pesos "extra".

        Another proposal that has attracted the attention, and opposition, of various segments of the state tourism industry is to charge foreigners $10 (217 pesos) at the airport. Politicians note this will bring in 350 to 400 million pesos yearly, and that Baja California Sur has been charging them $20 since last year. Opponents say this will be a "blow" to the Mexican Caribbean and want extensions of governmental incentives to increase international tourism, rather than more taxes or fees.

 

Although we've been in "Yellow" on the state epidemiological light since Sept. 7, (which increased capacities to 60% and opened the beaches, causing more tourists to visit & more businesses to reopen), public events have continued to be suspended--no processions, parades, marches, dances, public gatherings, events on the Town Square, etc. This has included the annual marches for various causes, the parades for Independence Day and Revolutionary Day, Dia de los Muertos (cemeteries were closed, no processions or celebrations) & Halloween, and the currently suspended festivities honoring Isla's Patron Saint. This week, the Governor warned that we are much closer to going back to "Orange" than we are to moving toward "Green", so I wouldn't expect a change in this policy about public events for Christmas & New Years Eve, in my opinion.

Photo by Joao, NYE 2018

 

From Dra Xhanat, who is concerned about the number of people not wearing face masks and the increasing number of symptomatic young patients, 30-40 yo, noting she isn't referring to the number of cases, but to patients with moderate to severe symptoms. She's learned that many of them would have liked to have done things differently, to have been more careful, to have avoided that party or not relaxed prevention measures, for many reasons:

1. Because having COVID can be terrifying.

2. Because having body aches, fatigue, lack of air, chest pain, headaches, etc. for days is not good.

3. Because it is expensive to get sick from COVID.

4. Because isolation can trigger loneliness.

She says: "Today I want to invite all of you who read me; whether or not you have COVID, whether or not you have risk factors, whether or not you live with vulnerable people: Do not stop being careful, wear face masks at all times, because you really have no idea how many people who are asymptomatic or with few symptoms are walking around among us as tho it were nothing, walking about and spreading it "sin pena ni gloria" (ingloriously and without penalty) and I'm sure many of you have no idea how expensive the cost of irresponsibility is at this time."

Dra Xhanat is the Isla Mujeres covid prevention liasion, as well as having a private practice on the island.  Xhanat Tze Mora

 From the City (Ayuntamiento de Isla Mujeres)

 

From the City-- Isla Mujeres offers quality beaches to locals & visitors

      In the face of the New Normality, hygiene measures for entering the beaches are mandatory

   Committed to providing quality beaches to both island families and visitors, the government of Isla Mujeres, through the management of the Federal Zone agency ZOFEMAT,  is carrying out restoration and maintenance work of Playa Centro and North Beach.

      Kerem Pinto Aguilar, head of ZOFEMAT, explained that one of the municipal government's goals is to have sustainable and clean beaches for future generations, which is why sifting of the sand is one of the cleaning jobs that takes place every day on the Blue Flag beaches of the municipality.

          She said, "It is important that we all join in the care of these spaces, as we all come to enjoy them, we must all avoid leaving our trash behind; the ZOFEMAT crews who work every day from early hour are dedicated to keeping the sands clean of the two  main beaches of Isla Mujeres."

       She explained that there was an atypical arrival of sargazo combined with sea grass, which caused the work of keeping the beaches in optimal condition to double, and they were able to remove just over 10 tons from the beaches. 

      "It has been an ongoing job, because it is a commitment that we have as a municipal government, to preserve our natural attractions, so every day we work to keep the white sands clean and maintain the turquoise blue of our seas," she said.

     She added that in recent weeks, maintenance work has been done on ramps, railings, amphibious chair areas, signs and trash receptacles, in compliance with the 33 guidelines of the Blue Flag quality program.

      In conclusion, she noted that in the face of the New Normality and in compliance with health regulations due to Covid-19, entrance regulations for the beaches are maintained, seeking care for everyone's health, while driving recovery of the local economy.

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  This blog is brought to you by....

MaraVilla Caribe   Bed & Beach    Four rentals with large glass doors overlooking our white sand beach and the beautiful Caribbean sea, with  kitchenettes & fast WIFI. In the upscale neighborhood of  Bachilleres, convenient to downtown or the colonias, yet separate.  Quiet & Private.   

Free amenities include hammocks, portable beach chairs, beach towels, washer & dryer, loungers, shared bikes, BBQ grill, and safes.  Panoramic views from the rooftop terrace. Large sliding doors open to a patio & the white sand backyard-beach, overlooking the Caribbean sea.  Downtown is  ~ a mile away; we're on all four bus routes or  flag a $3 taxi. Off street parking. In the quiet neighborhood of Bachilleres,  sleep to the sounds of the sea..  $275/$325/$425 wk   $40/50/$65nt  Monthly Discounts

Fine dining a few steps away at Da Luisa or try the neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. We provide a list of links & direction to over 20 eateries within ten minutes walk, including Mango Cafe,  Mike's Pizza, Brisas, Rosa Sirena, Coco Jaguar, Manolitos, La Chatita, Green Verde, Kash Kechen Chuc, and the large department store-grocery Chedraui & the local craft brewery.  Visit marinas, bars, & beach clubs that are minutes away by bike or on foot. Attend Yoga classes a couple villas away at Casa Ixchel. Fresh juice, produce & tortillas a few blocks away in the village, as well as a variety of other stores.

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  DECEMBER EVENTS

 

Full moon rising over the Caribbean  

 

 

Full moon Nov 30 Monday 6:28p

Dec 1-Tuesday at 7:15p

Dec 2 Wednesday at 8:06p

Dec 3 Thursday at 9:01p

Dec 4 Friday at 9:58p

 Sunrise 7:08-7:24 (beginning vs end of month)

Sunset 6:04-6:16

 

Public events have been suspended due to C-19. Holidays have featured online competitions and events. 

The usual Patron Saint festivities from late November until her Día de la Inmaculada Concepcion on December 8th are suspended, but the priest will celebrate a Mass with a holy rosary each day for each of the groups and organizations, according to a schedule.

Saturday, Dec. 12 Dia de Guadalupe, Patron Saint of Mexico

Sunday, Dec 13-14 Peaking of the Geminid meteor shower--This is one of the two best showers of the year (the other is August Perseids). The sky will be dark all night (new moon) & the largest numbers will be visible around 2a (when the radiant point is highest in the sky). But you should see them from mid evening until dawn, weather permitting. There should be a 'smattering' of meters the nights before & after, and it builds to a peak the week before. This shower features meteors that tend to be bold, white and quick, with up to 50-150 per hour when peaking in optimal conditions, like this year's moonless sky. On Dec. 11,12,13, the slender lunar crescent and planet Venus will rise in the eastern sky at or near dawn.

Posadas Navidenas Dec 16-24 will presumably be suspended along with the two decorated Caravans. 

Monday, Dec. 21-Solstice

Tuesday, Dec 22-Dark predawn hours-Ursid Meteors (active Dec 17-26, much less than Geminids)

Thursday, Dec. 24 Noche Buena--Many families celebrate, so some businesses may close early and the last ferry crossing could be suspended, as well as the first one on Christmas morning. 

Friday, Dec 25- Christmas

Dec 27-Jan 10-Quadrantid meteors, which will peak Jan 2-3, but the moon will interfere. 

Monday, Dec 28-Dia de los Santos Innocentes--Similar to "April Fool's Day"

Thursday, Dec 31-New Year's Eve events will presumably be digital & public events suspended.

Sources for Weather Information:
LINK to Civil Protection Q Roo weather bulletin  (Spanish)
LINK to Mexico National Weather Service (Spanish)
 LINK to satellite images for the Mexico National Weather Service
 LINK to GOES East Band 16 GIF (animation)
LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres