How are People around the World Handling the Pandemic?

We asked expats around the world, "How are people handling the situation in your area?" Here's what they had to say:

"Everyone in this province of Ecuador is behaving. Streets are empty and only grocery stores and pharmacies are open. Police politely enforce the rules, though fines for infractions are very large. We are looking what is happening in the developed world, especially the US, with horror," wrote a Canadian expat living in Cuenca, Ecuador

"I'd say very well, and most are complying," wrote an American expat living in Atouguia de Beleia, Portugal

"One glimmer of hope is that Colombia seems to be keeping its curve relatively flat, compared to other countries and the hockey stick that is the U.S. Here in Medellín, the city is continuing to mobilize its hospitals and healthcare resources for a coming avalanche of cases. Two stories in today's news: The mayor's office is working to recruit 12,000 medical personnel from other specialties and retrain them, with online courses, on how to manage hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The government of South Korea is sending a shipment of respirators and other supplies to Colombia and sharing their expertise and experience with the coronavirus. What a concept – countries cooperating and sharing with each other," wrote an American expat living in Medellin, Colombia

"They have no idea. Don't they have a TV, a radio or Internet? ," wrote an American expat living in Guadalajara, Mexico

"Regular people are and must be at home right now. Classes are suspended until the end of the semester. Supermarkets and pharmacies are open, but non necessary business remain closed," wrote an expat from Brazil living in Barcelona, Spain

"People are handling it calmly. Our area which is more vacation homes is full with people who left the main city and their apartments to wait this out in a house with a garden and far less population density," wrote an American expat living in Punta del Este, Uruguay

"Fairly well, although it is difficult for these folks to be socially distant. It goes against their nature," wrote an American expat living in Isla Mujeres near Cancun, Mexico

"The people are being cooperative and seem quite stoic about it all, at least on the surface," wrote a Canadian expat living in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

"Still many people being charged with disobey authority quarantine order," wrote an expat from Italy living in Venice, Italy

"Here in Inverness we just got the stay at home order from the gov. and wear the mask when getting essentials like groceries but toilet paper and sanitations like hand sanitizers lysol spray and wipes remain elusive, if not unavailable at most venues. as americans though, we are not totally in agreement with the stay home bit and still take a walk while maintaining the 6 foot social distancing rule," wrote an American expat living in Tampa, Florida, US

"Expats in my church have networked from home using Skype, ZOOM, email and our website to continue with our ministries. Citizens overall are serious but not panicked. People here are generally very cooperative. There are no major shortages in the stores, which have placed items like disinfectant wipes, bottled water, latex gloves and toilet paper front and center when you enter," wrote an expat from Panama living in Boquete, Panama

"Folks are calm and friendly at a distance. Stores that are open are adjusting," wrote an American expat living in Montgomery, Alabama, US

"Probably about as expected, some very well, some OK, some cabin fever. Learning curve now, WhatsApp has slowed a lot past two days, fairly quiet now," wrote an American expat living in Medellin, Colombia

"People are complying very well in Ashland. Masks, gloves, not many out on the streets, staying 6 feet away," wrote an American expat living in , Oregon, US

"Calm so far. But I expect that to change very quickly, as the local people become hungry," wrote an American expat living in Chapala, Mexico

"It is a growing difficulty to keep people 'in place'. Portuguese are highly family-oriented, so missing large Sunday dinners or not going to country homes is extremely counter-cultural. Businesses are enterprising and opening up for take out meals; volunteers are doing shopping for those who need to stay home," wrote an American expat living in Lisbon Area, Portugal

"Most people are working from home nd only grocery stores and pharmacies are open," wrote an American expat living in Lviv, Ukraine

"In the main adhering to the laws," wrote a British expat living in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize

"Very well, I have not witnessed panic buying or empty supermarket shelves. There is plentiful fresh produce. People are respecting all guidelines. Although there are reports of fines being issued in other Austrian counties. We are allowed to go out to exercise (not to other villages or towns), exercise dogs and shop for essential items. But you can only go out with those who are in isolation with you. I have seem families, joggers and cyclists, and I have an allotment where I am allowed to go but not gather with other people. My fellow gardeners keep the recommended distance as we do our work," wrote a British expat living in Innsbruck, Austria

"Almost everyone is wearing masks but other than that i Can't tell any difference," wrote an American expat living in Bangkok, Thailand

"People seem to be calm; are out-and-about on the Rambla; some are wearing face masks but not many," wrote an American expat living in Montevideo, Uruguay