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No alcohol sales at supers until ???

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karenmmm
  3/18/2020 16:34 EST

Where else is this draconian method being implemented??

I was told at the supermarket that it is open-ended...well, I guess they know their people much better than I.

karenmmm
  3/18/2020 16:35 EST

What ITNOG is the harm with a glass of wine in the evening??

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stgibson
  3/18/2020 17:34 EST

All of Chiriqui until April 7th. Go figure.

volcan357
  3/18/2020 19:41 EST

That will be a hardship for some people but to me it doesn't matter. I have a few beers once in awhile but I don't need to drink if it is not available. It will hurt businesses though.

dumluk
  3/19/2020 00:30 EST

It would definately be a hardship for me and a few others I know.....But fortunately, after an outlawed early morning surf session on an isolated stretch of Chiriqui coast, we shot to the border once we realize we couldnt buy any beer in Bugaba........And gracias adios there were a few of the duty free shops open and we stocked up on all items.....beer, wine and rum...........and no issues anywhere.......not a wrinkle..........Im starting to think I like this virus.......Keeps people home........streets clear.....less noise and traffic......and now not much in the way of lines at supers.....The Chiricanos are handling it all quite well I would suggest...........Butnow the Toque de queda is in effect........

karenmmm
  3/19/2020 12:55 EST

Thanks for the updates, folks.

So a border run for some cabernet won't get me thrown in the hoosegow with Wild Bill??

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jr555
  3/19/2020 13:26 EST

You might want to think twice about taking risks at a time when the police have more authority, shooting being one of them.

panamajames
  3/19/2020 13:52 EST

Costa Rica shut it's borders Wednesday night at midnight. Alcohol on the Panamá side is in prohibition. You have to make your own

Travelocity
  3/19/2020 14:25 EST

you are the reason why they had to implement a decree...to stop making people doing this happy hour bs during a time of crisis.
your immune system is suppressed when you drink alcohol....and then you get the virus and then you pass it on to someone else....if it just affected you maybe i would not be so worried about how you live your life or even suggest to attend an online AA meeting, but this stuff is real, and real people are dying.

karenmmm
  3/19/2020 14:30 EST

TC,

Former navy man..federal service academy grad...living offshore since the 80s...tell me how it's done...tough guy..

volcan357
  3/19/2020 16:09 EST

The police here in Panama aren't going to shoot you. The worst that can happen is that they don't let you pass.

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ssaunders88
  3/19/2020 16:55 EST

March 19 - Just visited 2 supermarkets in Panama City - plenty of alcohol and beer available ..

ssaunders88
  3/19/2020 16:57 EST

supermarkets in Panama city have plenty of alcohol and beer for sale.. sounds like this is a regional issue

Travelocity
  3/19/2020 19:16 EST

this is not a matter of places 'running out of alcohol". you will see signs, or yellow tape or simply you will not be checked out by cashier when you go pay it.

dumluk
  3/19/2020 21:35 EST

Hey, you may well be right....It could be a regional issue......Here in rich prosperous Chiriqui, where the people generally eat way too much........and think way too little.........The border is in Baru, but its still Chiriqui......so I dont know.....Maybe we got there just in time........whew...........lucky me.........

JohnnyNitro
  3/20/2020 15:42 EST

What they are trying to do is take the lubricant out of social lubricant. For many it is a social activity and this is what they are trying to stem. For the hardcore drinkers than really need it, this will lead to drinking things like hand sanitizer and rubbing alcohol.

stgibson
  3/20/2020 18:42 EST

Like everything in Panama; you have to have a backup. Water, electric. I brew my own beer and distill rum. Keeps me out of trouble.

dumluk
  3/20/2020 20:00 EST

Oh, yeah....muy inteligente........I like home brew better anyway....At least in the beer category......Do you produce enuff to be able to sell a bit?

StanleySankey
  3/23/2020 17:30 EST

Try Machetazo.

Both Penonome and Chitre not only are still selling alchol. At least as of yesterday. But have specials on it. The Cafe Caney in Chitre also had people dinning in,

Guess they haven't read any of the memos yet.

Jazzmann
  3/24/2020 09:20 EST

As far as restaurants are concerned if my favorite restaurant has to be closed for inside dining, that should apply equally to all of them. I haven't seen the memo on enforcing the dry law, however, I suspect it is subject to Regional enforcement. In these circumstances dry laws have a tendency to aggravate and already thoroughly aggravated population. Certain activities are made illegal not because the government wants to stop them but they want to be able to keep them under control. They are subject to selective enforcement. My guess is that as long as people are enjoying their cocktail, beer or wine at home with their loved ones there won't be a problem with the authorities. If a bunch of jerks get drunked up and go out in public acting stupid then you will see a Prohibition of alcohol sales. In other words, a handful of idiots can ruin it for everybody. If this happens, make a note of these people so they can be thoroughly punished later. I am noticing that nobody is hoarding, even alcohol. Congratulations to all of you.

stgibson
  3/25/2020 09:39 EST

Jazzman as far as I know this ban only applies to Chiriqui province. No sale of alcohol period anywhere in Chiriqui until April 7. You can drink at homd if you can find somewhere to buy it which means there will be a lot of people on the road looking for it. Makes perfect sense to me in a pandemic.

VickiCollado
  3/25/2020 12:19 EST

The sale of alcohol is forbidden in the entire country during the Estate of Emergency.

Panabud
  3/25/2020 12:52 EST

How can people be out in the streets jonesing for liquor when there is a stay at home lock down order? Are people not complying? Will policia arrest you?

RedHatLady
  3/25/2020 13:04 EST

Sorry this now nationwide as of 5:01am. Hubby just at PS... yellow tape on alcohol shelves Don't see how this will last very long in this country ;-)

Panamanreed
  3/25/2020 16:16 EST

Where is Al Capone when you need him?

Mikxx
  3/25/2020 21:50 EST

Extended to whole country since yesterday.

dumluk
  3/25/2020 22:02 EST

Well fooey on that....Just one more example of bad govt at work.....In Costa Rica you can buy liquor. In Calif still you can.....florida too........If were gonna be stuck at home at risk of being beaten silly by agressive unmuzzeled police idiots. then the least they can do is let us drink in peace.......All you obedient vacas just depress me........makes me want to drink more even........

volcan357
  3/26/2020 00:39 EST

Well being stuck at home doesn't bother me that much. I enjoy wandering around on my small acreage more than on the streets in town. I just go out in the woods and lay on my back and stare at the sky. It makes me feel better than being in town. I don't need to be drinking so as to make my immune system weaker. Alcohol has a negative impact on your metabolism. Worst than people think. I should know. I am a biologist. Plus I will be 79 next week so I need to be careful. I need to get my Dominican wife residency before I die and make sure she will inherit my property since I have nobody else to leave it to. I think Panama is doing all it can to control the virus. Better than Trump. The US is liable to have a disaster. Soon we will know It could be worst than Italy in the US. A much bigger population. There were times in my life when I did drink too much but not any more.

Panabud
  3/26/2020 01:08 EST

Blind obedience leads to one's permanent enslavement. There's a bigger picture to all of this. Look at the forest from the trees. A 6 trillion dollar money grab in the U.S. alone. Constitutional rights nullified. A globalist's wet dream.

PJBarrett1944
  3/26/2020 08:24 EST

We've been alcohol free in Chiriqui for about two weeks now. Folks are starting to drink their hand sanitizers.

karenmmm
  3/26/2020 09:44 EST

off topic

Volcan...

I have a Dominican son. (not a wife)..but I WAS drinking...so at least I have an excuse

(Good kid too..just back from Egypt..where his company has a contract...writing computer code)

karenmmm
  3/26/2020 09:47 EST

ps happy birthday!!

jonoyakker
  3/26/2020 19:27 EST

The people who say we should just go about our business and let people die...should we just deny all medical care and close the hospitals?

Panamanreed
  3/26/2020 20:40 EST

No Probs
Drink coffee. Try Café de Mi Tierra
Not available in stores but I can get it for you.
Arabica coffee from Coclé
Absolutely delicious.

Panamanreed
  3/26/2020 20:40 EST

No Probs
Drink coffee. Try Café de Mi Tierra
Not available in stores but I can get it for you.
Arabica coffee from Coclé
Absolutely delicious.

Panabud
  3/26/2020 21:34 EST

Jonoyakker: check out these statistics from the CDC. It will put things into perspective. The extreme reaction to Covid-19 is highly suspicious. Don't let the media (including corrupt experts) dictate what you believe.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/index.html

jonoyakker
  3/27/2020 08:45 EST

OK then...lets compare the flu to the Corona virus in one chart: https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2020/3/18/21184992/coronavirus-covid-19-flu-comparison-chart

Panabud
  3/27/2020 10:59 EST

Here you go jonoyakker:

March 26, 2020, New England Journal of Medicine, co-authored by Dr. Anthony Fauci (doom and gloom expert): "This suggests that the overall clinical consequences of Covid-19 may ultimately be more akin to those of a severe seasonal influenza (which has a case fatality rate of approximately 0.1%) or a pandemic influenza (similar to those in 1957 and 1968) rather than a disease similar to SARS or MERS, which have had case fatality rates of 9 to 10% and 36%, respectively."

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2002387

What have I been saying? The virus is being used to provide cover for a major global take over. The world is essentially under martial law and law makers in each country are passing trillion dollar bailouts that loot the tax payers. It's a money grab and full spectrum control of the population. We are being duped.

VickiCollado
  4/4/2020 23:12 EST

Hi volcan357 I read this article the other time about hand writing wills and testament in Panama. Perhaps will help you.

https://www.kerycruz.com/en/news/handwritten-last-wills-and-testaments-in-panama

sannydepit
  4/5/2020 21:14 EST

I've heard that the rationale for stopping the sale of alcohol is to prevent domestic violence. The stress of families being cooped up together for weeks on end does not mix well with alcohol.

https://www.propublica.org/article/domestic-violence-and-child-abuse-will-rise-during-quarantines-so-will-neglect-at-risk-people-social-workers-say

jonoyakker
  4/5/2020 21:26 EST

Could be. I have never seen Panama be so proactive about anything until this pandemic. Usually, they are way behind...

Jazzmann
  4/7/2020 08:23 EST

I was advised, by a healthcare professional who deals with these things, that forcing and alcohol dependent individual to go cold turkey during a period of financial devastation, not to mention enforced quarantine, is a recipe for devastation. I've heard rumors that the rationale behind this is so that the alcoholics didn't spend food money on alcohol. I read a report yesterday that said that Panama is the only country that has banned the sale of alcohol. The President and the leaders of Panama are doing their very best in this challenging and complex situation. However, they must rely on their expert advisors. A healthcare advisor may have an agenda and a perspective which are different from those of a financial advisor oh, and I expect that the input from those people who are out of work and the small business owners who face the serious prospect of never reopening would offer a different point of view. I am fine, and the quarantine really isn't affecting me that much so I don't have a dog in this fight. However, my neighbors who are out of work would like to be heard.

Travelocity
  4/7/2020 08:54 EST

yes, very likely alcoholics will use the money they have in alcohol consumption.
yes very likely they will beat up their wives.
yes, very likely an alcoholic will die from going cold turkey...your addiction is not the government's problem
yes, very likely your immune system will be compromised by you fighting a hangover over being 100% healthy fighting the corona virus.

Panabud
  4/7/2020 09:10 EST

Jonoyakker, Panama has taken the most draconian stance in the world and imo it's because they can get away with it. Having lived there it's not difficult to block all movement at major arteries to prevent people from going anywhere. Here in the U.S. only a few towns have curfews but overall we have complete freedom of movement and essential stores are open. So life is not bad here during lock downs. I couldn't imagine being on house arrest and that wouldn't fly here anyway. It appears the covid death numbers are on decline and as I predicted the net death count will be on par with the seasonal flu. Meanwhile our economy has been completely destroyed. Lives have been turned upside down. Many suicides on the horizon. Society has been forcefully distanced. Was it all worth it?

augieman
  4/7/2020 11:41 EST

Panabud

please be more responsible in your postings.

Pat yourself on the back because YOUR prediction that covid19 will be on a par with seasonal flu ????

NO, it won't.

Panamanreed
  4/7/2020 11:55 EST

According to NYTimes Season flu averages 0.1% mortality rate.
At this time in the US COVID -19 mortality rate is just under 3%, in Italy it is 11% and Spain, just under 10%
Panama 2.6%

So, if those numbers are right, how can you compare that to the seasonal flu?

ROKSlide
  4/7/2020 12:29 EST

You might listen to this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGC5sGdz4kg

Panabud
  4/7/2020 13:14 EST

Mortality rate means nothing because healthy people or people with mild symptoms who have Covid-19 are not being tested and these people will not be added to the positive list which would decrease the mortality rate to a more accurate number. Garbage in garbage out. Actually it's garbage in but try to deceive the public with garbage out. The most important number is death toll and according to WHO the seasonal flu kills 250K-500K people per year. Covid-19 global death toll which is currently 80K is well below that number and we are near the peak. Do the math and come to your own conclusion.

dumluk
  4/7/2020 15:15 EST

Firstly, Fauci was quoted as saying in an interview in late March that "a very bad Flu season" for starters.....And now if you factor in the way that the CDC has been shown to be managing this debachle and instructing hospitals and medical institutions to list all patients who die "with" Covid-19" no matter what the underlying conditions might be, as having died FROM Covid-19......So as you might expect, this bit of Voodoo will dramatically distort the real numbers.......So just keep that one in mind and keep an eye on the alternative news, not the corporate news.....They are part of the problem, not part of the solution......

panamajames
  4/7/2020 17:13 EST

It shall be unlawful for any person, including owners and managers of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other establishments of the same nature to sell, furnish, offer, buy, serve, or take intoxicating liquor anywhere in the Philippines. This was an order as of March 27th so Panama is not unique in that respect.

Panabud
  4/7/2020 18:09 EST

Panamajames, I do believe that the alternating gender temporary freedom scheme is unique to Panama. Creative genius or creative tyranny? How are expats adjusting to being on house arrest? Can't imagine that extreme level of constitutional infringement.

volcan357
  4/7/2020 20:02 EST

I have 18 acres on which I can wonder around so I am not under house arrest. Today I went to PriceSmart to buy some stuff. I have a friend who has an agricultural exemption or permit. He drove me to PriceSmart in his car. Aside from the three days I am allowed to shop I can always go to a little store just down the road. I don't actually have to enter the town to get there. Aside from all this I agree that the measures the government are taking to stop the spread of the virus are for everybody's benefit. Today we passed a lot of police checkpoints but never once did they ask us for an ID. They just waved us through. At PriceSmart they only allow one at a time to enter. A group of two or more can't enter together. During this epidemic I feel I am much safer in Panama than in the US. Especially in a rural location. I wouldn't want to be in Panama City nor in Miami.

dumluk
  4/7/2020 23:58 EST

I can only speak for myself, and maybe a few friends who think more or less like I do.......And we are not at all happy with it or in agreement, as weve probably read and studied more about it than the knuckleheads in charge here......But we are adjusting and being creative..........managing to move and even to have a drink or two if we please........Living in the country is very different from being stuck in the city.....I thank my lucky stars Im not in the city right now..........Weve gotta be careful, after all, theyve got the guns......but watching the program and the routine.......We can move...........

panamajames
  4/8/2020 00:14 EST

Following the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which started in Wuhan, Hubei, China, the Philippine government confirmed the country's first case of the disease on January 30, 2020, when the virus was detected in a Chinese national who traveled from Wuhan, China and Hong Kong. The second case was confirmed on February 2, with the patient being the husband of the first case who was also Chinese. Three days later, on February 5, another Chinese national was confirmed to the be third case in the Philippines. After a month, on March 5, the Department of Health (DOH) announced that the first Filipino in the Philippines confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 who is also the fourth case while the fifth case is the first case of local transmission since the infected person did not travel outside the Philippines. The sixth case that was confirmed on March 7 is the wife of the fifth case. In the following days, the number of cases steadily increased............................................................................................................................

On March 16, 2020, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared the entire Luzon area in the Philippines under "enhanced community quarantine" (ECQ) which is effectively a total lockdown, restricting the movement of the population with exceptions, in response to the growing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country. Additional lockdown restrictions mandated the temporary closure of non-essential shops and businesses. This quarantine came two days after the implementation of the community quarantine of Metro Manila.

When the "community quarantine" was applied to Luzon, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, said that the Luzon-wide "enhanced community quarantine" is equivalent to an "absolute lockdown or total lockdown." Secretary Eduardo Año of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) also said that "enhanced community quarantine" should be considered as a "total lockdown."............................................................................................................

The quarantine is originally set to last until April 12, 2020, although, government was considering to either extend or lift it after two weeks of its implementation. Duterte said on April 6, 2020 that he is inclined to extend the quarantine up to the end of April 2020. The next day, his Cabinet Secretary, Karlo Nograles, said that the President accepted the recommendation of the COVID-19 Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) to extend the Luzon ECQ up until April 30, 2020........................................................................

The Luzon ECQ caused the mobilization of the Philippine government agencies and local government units as well the passing of Republic Act 11489 or the "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act" in order to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. There are economic, environmental, political, social and cultural impact of the lockdown, affecting around 57 million people being quarantined. .............................................................................................................Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano ordered on March 24 a general community quarantine on the province until April 14, banning the entry of visitors and implementing a province-wide curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following day. For more information on the Philippines that changes daily, you can check out this URL
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Luzon_enhanced_community_quarantine

panamajames
  4/8/2020 00:52 EST

I can't speak for all expats in Panama regarding how well alternating gender temporary freedom days are working out, but for our family, it is working out just fine. Really not many changes. My wife and my daughter and I all drive, and we like to hike as well, so we can put on a back pack and hike to the grocery store for some exercise for two hours, my wife one day, me the other and Sunday is a family day. We can spend Sunday in the yard if we like or we have a huge balcony overlooking the city with tables and chairs and the weather is just perfect for meals outdoors. Generally we don't always go out together. I tend to be out every second day on my own for two hours, getting some fresh air, conversing with nature all around me, looking at the many species of birds in the neighborhood, chatting with the local kitties and pups, and when downtown, chatting with other men in restaurant lines, pharmacies and food stores downtown, and we keep our social distance but we chat a lot about whats new and exciting and how we are keeping busy during this lockdown and maintaining our sense of humor. I wish I could send to you some the stories that people send to me. Funny stuff. My wife and daughter always like to go out together and their ID's allow them to do that and they have their own agenda's working with horses and feral cats. It was always like that before this coronavirus situation with the occasional group gathering for all of us at a restaurant or special event like a fair or big community gathering like the Tuesday market or the monthly flea market sale near Dolega. We watch movies and TV shows together in the house and have chats about hobbies and interests, special nightly creative dinners with lots of thought put into them, so it working well for us. My daughter came to live with us in October and is somewhat trapped now, and her plans to live in Australia for awhile are on hold, but It has brought family together like never before. I think that it is great, but I can see that it might not be that way for every family. As far as alternating gender freedom days are concerned, I think it's a great idea from the Government. Being together all the time could be worse. We all like our space. I have so many jobs to do around the apartment complex here that I have been putting off, it would take me 6 months to complete them all. Glad I saved these projects for a rainy day. Looks like rainy season comes early this year for me. I had better get back to a few of these projects right now, but I wish you all well with better days ahead.....Cheers

Malaberian
  4/8/2020 08:24 EST

From a personal standpoint, the days are moving slowly.

Fortunately we moved into a private home a few weeks before the restrictions went into place. Because of that we have yard work to do. A couple of hours each day intermingled with working on our tans, playing with the dogs (who are loving all the attention), reading, messaging friends. Also a ton of items on the to do list - did them all to the point of needing resources which will have to wait until the hardware stores reopen.

Is it all enough, not really. I find myself bored at times, some anxiety of being confined.

I look forward to my two hours every other day to get out, and I use all of it (may even go over by a few minutes).

An infringement on my constitutional rights, huh, I am a visitor living in another country. I moved here for a better lifestyle then I could have in the US. I did not move here because I am mad at the US. However I have grown to appreciate not being around the entitled knuckleheads that seem to be every where in the US.

So, cannot say I am enjoying the lockdown, however I appreciate what the Panamanians are doing and why. The gov has a plan, they are sticking to it and it is working. They have showed that with each death they are pricked, pained.

This is a dark contrast to the lack of foresight the US has exhibited. I am happy we are here!

jonoyakker
  4/8/2020 09:06 EST

I am glad to be here too. When I read about the flights available to the US, I thought, "what for?" I get enough divisiveness through Facebook, the news, and boards like this. Maybe it would serve me well to cut back on those. As for alcohol, I miss having a beer or two, but I suppose my immune system and disposition are better without.

Panabud
  4/8/2020 13:03 EST

Jonoyakker, I'd much rather be here in the U.S. especially now because the restrictions here are not so draconian. The line in the sand for most people here is freedom of movement. Sure most stores and restaurants are closed but we can still go out and about freely. Taking freedom of movement away would lead to serious push back. One recommendation for everyone is to please use your own reasoning skills and not rely on others to reason for you. Credentials mean nothing without honesty and integrity. Be wary of conflict of interest and potential corruption. Learn from history and use common sense.

volcan357
  4/8/2020 21:47 EST

I am glad I am in Panama and not in the USA. The idea that the Panamanian government is taking away your freedom because they are trying to control the virus is totally ridiculous. They are doing what they are suppose to be doing which is trying to save lives. They have a duty to try and protect their citizens. Any loss of freedom of movement is the fault of the virus. If you are in the grave you will have no freedom of movement. It is better that the government is trying to protect you.

dumluk
  4/8/2020 22:19 EST

Sorry neighbor, but youre buying into the fear and paranoia......If the Pana govt were really dedicated to the collective welfare of their citizens, they would not be arresting and fining them for going to the rivers, beaches, or primarily just going to fetch water.....No friend, this is beyond the pale.......They have tripled the police force......and they are everywhere....Get used to it because like the Patriot Act, and the NRDA theyre probably not goin away anytime soon......Me, Im outta here first chance I get.....Like I said before, I am more afraid of this dictatorial govt than this overrated virus......Do your homework on virus/pandemia history and hopefully you will wake up and smell the cafe.......

Panabud
  4/8/2020 22:38 EST

Volcan, the government IS taking away your freedoms no matter how you want to spin it. Governments are all about keeping people under their power and control. Governments never get smaller and usually grow bigger. Governments are run by politicians who only care about their career and enriching themselves. The only person genuinely qualified to care for and protect you and your loved ones is YOURSELF, not a bureaucratic stranger you've never met. One is never too old to gain common sense wisdom.

volcan357
  4/9/2020 00:19 EST

It is not a matter of how I spin it. It is a matter of how the virus is spread from one person to another. If one half of the people practice social distancing on a voluntary basis and the half does not that is going to put at risk the half that does. Control of the virus has to be a joint effort where everybody cooperates. The virus spreads throughout populations who have contact with each other. If there is no contact it can't spread. That is how infectious diseases work. Don't tell me I am spinning it. I have a master's degree in biology so I can understand what is happening. Not that you need a degree in biology to understand it. Just a little intelligence. I am a strong believer in individualism. That everybody should think for themselves instead of being a follower. But we live in a society and depend on each other to survive. The epidemic we are experiencing now is related to survival. Just as an example if someone goes to a party on the beach and gets infected and later goes to the supermarket where I shop which results in me also getting infected that is what the government is trying to prevent. The less people who get infected the less risk to everybody.

DChidley
  4/9/2020 00:30 EST

Bravo volcan357. Well said.

jonoyakker
  4/9/2020 04:59 EST

Panabud, what is it with you being on this board trying to stir things up when you don't even live in Panama? Because to me, you come off like someone who needs to get a life. Go make yourself useful and volunteer somewhere, seriously. At least the other conspiracy theorists here have a dog in this race.

Panabud
  4/9/2020 09:09 EST

Volcan357, let's apply some intelligence to these facts. H1N1 and H3N2 viruses kill between 250K-500K people every year according to WHO and there even exists a flu vaccine for these types. Where is the concern for all these lives? Viruses will kill people in large numbers every single year for the foreseeable future. There is no stopping it. The same with corona virus. It will never disappear and in fact will continue to mutate and spread. The key to mitigating the danger of viruses is gaining immunity which means getting the virus and letting your body create antibodies so it can't harm you next time. All of this social distancing nonsense only slows the spread of the virus but does not eradicate it. Shutting down the economy and life as we know it to combat a virus is a solution far worse than the virus itself. Yet if you still think it's a good solution then we need to keep the economy closed down and everyone forced to stay home indefinitely because deadly viruses will exist forever killing hundreds of thousands of people every year. Would you support this draconian solution?

Panabud
  4/9/2020 09:19 EST

Jonoyakker, I still have friends living in Panama and I feel for them being on house arrest for an extended period of time. Panama has taken the most draconian stance in the world. Yet it seems many of you applaud being enslaved thinking it is in your best interest. The media hype and frenzy spreading fear and panic is causing people to willfully submit to government oppression.

dumluk
  4/9/2020 20:06 EST

Do you understand the concept of herd immunity? I know you understand the concept of herd mentality becuz thats what you see now all around you. Especially in this country of vacas......You might have a Masters in Biology, but do ;you realize that other countries and States of the Union are doing it differently? Panama rivals Zambia and maybe the Philippines (altho one friend there says that news is B.S.) where they are under orders to shoot violaters of the "shelter in house" law.....Nicaragua life as normal.......everybody going about their business........on the streets.........advised to party and have a nice Semana Santa........South Carolina and 6 other States? Do what you like........Theyve got enuff sense to know that this is not the end of the world unless corrupt dictatorial govts make it so.........In any case, the news is showing that the numbers are far less than predicted........Personally I will (would if I had the choice) take my chances with the dreaded virus , than with the worse Pana govt........this is absolutely terrible and unforgiveable intrusion on basic human rights here.....I am outta here as soon as I can figure out how to.......jaja......This is the last straw> https://www.westernjournal.com/fauci-finally-says-conservatives-said-weeks-us-death-toll-will-lower-thought/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=WJBreaking&utm_campaign=ct-breaking&utm_content=western-journal

dumluk
  4/9/2020 20:11 EST

I suspect Panabud is here cuz he lives here part time like a lot of folks.....and he does have a stake here.........And more importantly he makes good sense and displays a capacity for critical thinking which the majority here dont........People should be stirred up here in Panama by now.......I expect to see all kinds of hell unleashed here soon with these stupid rediculous unnecessary restrictions......Anybody want free rent for some months? I will pay the extortionary price to bail outta here on the next Embasssy arranged evacuation flight........And I will only be back to pick up the pieces..........

jonoyakker
  4/9/2020 20:28 EST

Panabud, and exactly what do you think that you will accomplish here? And what are you doing in Florida now that Disantis has issued stay at home orders-its draconian!

Panabud
  4/9/2020 21:19 EST

Dumluk, I lived full time in Panama for 8 years and moved back to the States permanently 3 years ago. I got to know a lot of expats and locals so that's my stake in Panama. Actually I was just curiois how other governments were handling the plandemic and looked up Panama and was shocked at the extreme clamp down. I know all about the policia and check points so can imagine how oppressive life would be under house arrest. Glad I got out before all this nonsense. There are a lot of hands in the covid19 cookie jar looking to profit and gain power and control. Hopefully people will wake up when the numbers don't add up especially comparing covid19 deaths with seasonal flu deaths which are both tracking on par. There was no legitimate reason to destroy an entire global economy and way of life over these death numbers because they would have happened anyway.

Panabud
  4/9/2020 21:26 EST

Jonoyakker, our stay at home order is only a recommendation and not enforced. We have full freedom of movement at anytime although many places are closed so there aren't that many places to go to. But we are not on house arrest like in Panama. That makes a huge difference!

Malaberian
  4/9/2020 21:37 EST

I think what it comes down to:

Those that incite an insurrection in a foreign land - go for it.

What is your intent? Make Panama like the US. If that is the case then you fit the definition of “the Ugly American”. Remember, we are guests, we need to embrace their culture, then we can make it better.

Those of us that have a higher level of sentient awareness will abide by the current restrictions whether we agree or not. We will likewise grow individually because we will endure it and develop fellow feeling for those around the world that live under worse conditions their entire life.

I applaud what they are doing. Yes it is terribly inconvenient, but it is short term. If by chance the naysayers are correct then you gather up your GTFO bag and leave.

volcan357
  4/9/2020 23:01 EST

Luckily in the Latino culture right wing conspiracy nuts are not so common as in the USA which is another good reason to live here. The present restrictions have almost zero effect on my lifestyle. Yesterday I spend all day repotting my cacti. I just came back from a walk in the woods watching the full moon rising above Volcan Baru. At 1400 meters the climate is perfect and the mountains are beautiful By contrast Florida is flat and ugly. There are good medical reasons to slow down the spread of the virus. A new virus often is more virulent in the beginning and becomes less so as time goes by. Also time gives science a chance to develop a vacine or an effective antiviral drug. My suggestion to Panabud is to intentionally have himself infected by the virus as soon as possible so he can build up the immunity he is talking about Of course the flu kills people every year and so do many other diseases. Nevertheless once in awhile a new virus gets started that causes a serious epidemic. This has happened many times in the past and will continue to happen in the future. Modern transportation makes it easier for viruses to spread. Maybe as medical science advances we will learn to combat a new virus faster. The government of Panama is not perfect but they are responding to the epidemic the best they can. I think people who are criticising the Panamanian government are looking for an excuse to reinforce their particular political ideology. A big part of their ideology involves always looking over your shoulder to see if big brother is watching you. They think that the PRD in Panama is trying to bring about the kind of society you find in George Orwell's 1984. The actual fact is that as an expat in Panama the government is not very interested in you.

FredfromArkansas
  4/9/2020 23:09 EST

This is an issue that Panama is dealing with. As a potential Panama expat, I am watching what happens here. If, as I assume, these restrictions are lifted in a reasonable time frame, I still plan on moving there in early 2021. I don't think this is a permanent grab on rights. But only time will tell.

dumluk
  4/9/2020 23:27 EST

yes....absolutely Panabud.......So, then, what IS the REAL motive behind all this B.S.? Inquiring minds insist on knowing.......

karenmmm
  4/9/2020 23:29 EST

mala

let me quote you...

"They have showed that with each death they are pricked, pained.
This is a dark contrast to the lack of foresight the US has exhibited."

And my favorite

"Those that incite insurrection in a foreign land-go for it."

Sir, had the US not incited insurrection this isthmus would still be Colombia.

volcan357
  4/9/2020 23:33 EST

They can keep on the restrictions for a couple months but for much longer than that it would be difficult. As you say time will tell. A lot depends I think on how the epidemic pans out in the US and in other countries not just here in Panama. This is an international crisis.

dumluk
  4/9/2020 23:35 EST

You think its short term....But by their own words its open ended.........Ive been here in and out, (and looking for better options) for a long time, and I know how they do things here......And for the most part with a few exceptions, its half ass.......Now if this half ass approach to everything suits you then, all I can say is, Dale pues...........Its all yours......I dont know about you, but I speak fluent Spanish, and have traveled extensively throughout latin America......The only advantage here is geography and the dollar.....And that advantage may well be going the way of the dinosaur..........Btw, I have been here long enuff to speak my bloody mind.......and Im inclined to do that anyway......

dumluk
  4/9/2020 23:43 EST

Well, thinking about it, its true that they do tend to give gringos a pass.....Its easier to do that than try and talk to em...jaja........So that I will agree.......As to 1400 ft being an ideal climate, I take issue, but then that is subjetive......Im: at 700 ft and I consider it ideal.........Any higher and Im cold, and I dont do cold.....any more than I do fat...........And knowing the history of Pana politics, you dont find it uncanny how quickly it reassumes itself? Now if this all burns out by end of April then I shut my mouth.....But my instincts tell me that this is open ended..........Now back to some numbers.: https://www.westernjournal.com/bill-oreilly-criticism-coronavirus-take-far-left-wants-chaos-carnage-trump-loses/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=WJBreaking&utm_campaign=breaking&utm_content=western-journal

dumluk
  4/9/2020 23:57 EST

Not the crisis its painted out to be.........You and I are lucky in the sense that we live on big properties.......and can walk and hike and go to secret river spots, (why do they want to control the waterways), and breathe fresh air, deep into our lungs which as Knut Kittowsky stated is the best thing we can do........So yes, as far as being in prision, were doin ok...........And Im not all that social anyway.....I keep my distance from people at the best of times......jaja

panamajames
  4/10/2020 00:30 EST

I get to talk to Panama expats every day on the internet, many who are here on the Expat Exchange, and every second day I meet a bunch of fellow expats downtown in person and we chat. I mention often that the USA is putting together flights in Panama for people who want to go back to the USA, and all I am met with is laughter. That is the last place on the planet that they want to be. They voted with their feet and left that country a long time ago and plainly love Panama. I talk to the Policia downtown who couldn't be nicer. They want to see my ID of course, as though it might change one day, but they want to appear that they are doing their jobs. The locals are all smiles and happy although they do have to lineup at Banco Nacional on paydays but they are troopers. I run into those conspiracy theorists who want to tell me the latest about the New World Order and how Bill Gates owns the patents for coronavirus vaccines and he wants to reduce the world population by at least one third, maybe more, and this is all a Government plot and it's all just a big hoax. They figure that those at the top are keeping this big secret to themselves. They just seem to love science fiction and have it all figured out. Every day I hear about a new idea where the Government will take away all our freedoms and bring in tanks and armored vehicles on trains and planes. Such vivid imaginations. Good for all of you who have left but obviously haven't left completely because they keep popping up here on the forum. You must miss us all and what bad luck you must have had while here. Too bad, so sad. Well we are all happy to be here in Panama, except for a very small few, and we do hope that when the opportunity presents itself, that you too will be on the first plane outa here. All I can say is don't let the airplane door hit you on the way out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deFDXYdF2g4

jonoyakker
  4/10/2020 04:43 EST

Panabud, and what is it that you think that you will achieve here by stirring the pot? I have known you on this board for at least several years, and that is all that you do. I understand that you got screwed on a real estate deal in Panama by a shady developer. I am truly sorry-that has to suck big time. But simply being sour and working to turn others sour will be a negative on your own life. Why not find a constructive course? Maybe at least counsel people on doing their due diligence...

tharin4prez
  4/10/2020 08:11 EST

Hold up. Slow dow everyone while I go make more popcorn ??

cinparadise
  4/10/2020 08:18 EST

I can live with the alcohol ban. What I'm really proud about is Panama's action on their travel ban.

When President Trump instated the US travel ban the loons on the left labeled him a racist and xenophobe. As late as the first week of March politicians including Pelosi and NY's Cuomo and Deblasio, NYC's health director Barbot as well as the main stream media told everyone that the Coronavirus is nothing and to go out and enjoy the Chinese New Years parades! All of these fools' statements can be found on Youtube. What's saddening is these buffoons still have followers.

Panamanian President Cortizo did the right thing and followed President Trump's lead and instated strict travel bans saving an untold number of lives. World health experts predicted a staggering 2.2 million deaths for the US and due to President Trump's superior leadership there'll be well under 10% of that.

https://tinyurl.com/ut8qs6v

https://tinyurl.com/yx5cs565

llseldon
  4/10/2020 09:26 EST

With the Holy Weekend "locked down" you can expect a riot. What do they do when they fill the jails & guess what else elbow to elbow in jail they will have more "Cobra"-19 cases.
Has anyone signed up for the Evac flight out of Tocumen on Spirit Airlines?
BTW I'm in the DFW, TX area & we can go out for a drive, walk our dog in the park, can't imagine being locked in the house, now the whole week end, chuleta. Think I'll take my dog for a walk in the park & get a McDonald's coffee on the way. Sauve tequilla ya' all.

dumluk
  4/10/2020 10:32 EST

PanaJames, Do you have any idea how many houses are for sale in Boquete now? Last year it was more than 500....With a few exceptions every gringo/extranjero that I know here is sick and tired of the Pana way of doing things and wants out......The noise, the reggaeton, the dogs, roosters, horrible drivers, crooked cops, half ass govt which cant take care of basic business.....Everything about this country with the exception of the extravagant geography is half ass.......Yes, there are some very nice people, and even a few who work good and diligently, and its your job to find em......Good luck with that by the way........Also in finding a good lawyer who really takes care of you and is not simply looking for angles to finance his new Toyota L.C. Prado.........But yes, Panama is geographically correct.......and there is an interesting mix of people here for such a small country.......But face it, its always since the very beginning been all about piracy.........

whskyman
  4/10/2020 11:41 EST

There IS a tab for people to select the country for "United States".

I wish the hell that people who are not interested in moving here or that actually live here, would stay off this forum!!

We are not perfect .... no country is (especially the United States). We that live here are pretty much happy with the way the government is handling this crisis .... we want to contain it; overcome it; and move on.

Get on your own country's forum and whine and bitch .... stay off ours and keep the U.S. politics off here.

augieman
  4/10/2020 12:18 EST

@cinparadise
Over the several years of trump's presidency you have never missed a chance to reply to anyone/anything posted here which is even slightly negative to him.

It is fair to assume you are reimbursed for your posts as so many are these days.
And PLEASE retire that old and shop worn phrase" main street media"
using it puts you in an unflattering light

llseldon
  4/13/2020 13:59 EST

karenmmm so how is Wild Bill doing these days?

karenmmm
  4/13/2020 15:11 EST

never met a gringo homeowner he didn't like

isand2017
  4/16/2020 11:58 EST

Check out the website:


Gift Baskets Overseas
USA Local: +1-857-284-1674

Gifts from the USA to Panama | Gift from Canada to Panama | Gift from Australia to Panama

https://www.giftbasketsoverseas.com/is-my-gift-going-through-customs.php

Is My Gift Going Through Customs? Won’t that take forever? Are there duty fees?

The short answer is: Nope!

Your gift will never see a Customs agent, your recipient will never pay taxes or duties fees upon delivery,

cinparadise
  4/16/2020 12:12 EST

Isand2017,

$200+ for a basic flower arrangement, what a deal!

cinparadise
  4/16/2020 12:14 EST

Isand2017,

$200+ for a basic flower arrangement, what a deal!

isand2017
  4/16/2020 12:24 EST

Yes, It's Super Expensive!
I personally would not pay these high prices . But - others may not mine!

Malaberian
  4/27/2020 16:24 EST

Does anyone know what the territory the mayor of Boquete encompasses?

Not that I have heard anything, but when and if the national government re-opens alcohol sales, just wondering how far one needs to get out of the reach of the Dry Mayor.

PJBarrett1944
  4/27/2020 16:41 EST

The Boquete mayor rules over the district of Boquete which includes Caldera and all territory down to the Dolega district. The dividing line between Boquete and Dolega is the river and bridge where the mayor has planted many flowers.

Malaberian
  4/27/2020 19:50 EST

Wow, that is a lot of territory.

Thanks for the explanation.

llseldon
  4/29/2020 18:07 EST

Breaking news Texas: Ordering alcohol to go from your favorite Texas restaurant may not be just a coronavirus thing.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said late Tuesday night the sales of alcohol to go can continue after May 1, when restaurants in the state are allowed to reopen.
“From what I hear from Texans, we may just let this keep going on forever,”

Read more here: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/coronavirus/article242372126.html?#storylink=cpy

volcan357
  4/29/2020 18:40 EST

Well back a number of years ago I used to live in Star County Texas. It is much nicer here in Volcan even if I can't have any alcohol at the moment. Maybe in a month or so I'll be able to buy me a case of Balboa Ice.

llseldon
  4/29/2020 18:50 EST

From the Balboa Elks Lodge FYI:
Lodge members,
Since our last message of being fully closed on 23 March, we still remain CLOSED under quarantine conditions with the rest of the Republic of Panama.
Currently no indications on when our lodge and club will be permitted to re-open to our members.
……..
For those members in the states that have sent your dues payment in by mail, understand that postal mail had stopped since about the second week of March. Your envelope is between our post office box and Tocumen Airport, maybe even still in a postal bag at an airport terminal in the states.
Members with bank accounts in Panama have slowly been paying their membership dues on line.
A couple of members stateside made other arrangements in paying their dues locally.
In case you haven't heard, Panama authorities have extended the moratorium of no flights in or out of Tocumen Airport for another 30 days, till at least 22 May, except for cargo, humanitarian efforts and other flights deemed necessary.
……...
For our members that are with the Panama Canal Area Benefits Plan for health insurance, AXA, our carrier is making arrangements with the Ministry of Health in Panama to schedule influenza flu vaccination - first for those 60 years of age and over.
Starting 27 April, You'll have to call 800-6467 to set up an appointment. Current facilities for vaccines will be: Santa Fe, San Fernando, Paitilla, Caribe, and MiniMed. Remember, the curfew is still in effect so you can't just show up. You need to make an appointment for date and time and for a safe conduct pass.
…….
Speaking of curfew, remember all citizens are required to STAY HOME during the 24 hour quarantine.
Two hour windows are allowed based on the last digit of your cedula, pensionado card, or passport; Women on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Men on Tuesday and Thursday. Men use to have Saturdays but for the last three weekends, Saturday has joined Sundays in a full 24 hour curfew. No One out and about. Those 60 years of age and over are giving from 11 a.m. till 1 p.m. to do shopping, purchasing medicine, banking and paying bills, on their given days of the week.
Panama authorities have notice there are citizens trying to be wise and using their last digit for movement AND the fact that they are 60 and over to move about at different times of a given day, which is not the intent of the decree or resolution that governs said movement. Might get away with it a couple of times but is it really worth the fine imposed for violation.
……...
For those members stateside, stay safe and healthy in your areas. This super flu virus is the real deal.
Locally, our members are weathering well with WhatsApp, Facebook, Skype, Face Time, Zoom, Messenger, and other social medias. Even checking on each other by way of a telephone and cell phones. And there's also electronic mail. Some of o

ROKSlide
  4/29/2020 19:25 EST

Unfortunately, COVID-19 is not a super bad virus. I encourage you all not only to ready this text, but to also click on the link “Dr. Vladimir Zelenko pointed out on my show this week” Shocking. (14 min)

This proves that we can arrest this disease in its early stages in the doctor’s office with a simple, inexpensive remedy.

By the way, Google, who owns YouTube, has pulled the video that I sent to many of you last week about the two doctors who had presented an analysis of the infection data that indicated far wider spread of the virus and much lower death rate. google is clearly trying to control the dialogue for political and material purposes. As this interview mentions, scientific truth will win out ultimately. Hopefully before too many more people die needlessly. Beware of Google. It knows too much about each of you.

ROKSlide


https://townhall.com/columnists/kevinmccullough/2020/04/23/antibody-testing-proves-weve-been-had-n2567516

Antibody Testing: Proves We've Been Had!

Kevin McCullough

|

Posted: Apr 23, 2020 3:30 PM


There is simply no other way to state this.

Nearly everything we’ve been told about models, rates of infection, deaths, and recoveries was inaccurate.

I’m not here to argue that it was malfeasance or ignorance — both are unacceptable. But the one thing that Governor Andrew Cuomo’s stunning announcement made clear on Thursday is that there are some pretty shocking — and what should be — reassuring truths.

Cuomo announced that antibody testing in New York state, which only began four days previous, was already demonstrating that at minimum 13.9% of New Yorkers, had COVID-19 late stage antibodies.

The implication of this is a shockwave to the system.

With a population of 19,540,500 the findings point out that over 2,500,000 New Yorkers had the virus and have recovered. Keep in mind that as of this writing that only 263,000 New Yorkers have currently confirmed cases. Also as of this writing New York has reported 19,543 fatalities.

We’ve been told that the true death rate is 7.4% in New York. We were told there would be hundreds of thousands dead. We were told that this was worse than the flu, which has still recorded more deaths to date in this past flu season—even though the CDC instructed medical personnel to start counting influenza, heart disease, pulmonary, respiratory, drug overdose, and possibly even car crash deaths as COVID-19 deaths.

We were told that we had to upend an economy, go into solitary confinement, and divorce ourselves from normal life because this would rage beyond any previous pandemic. We were told that this virus with 846,000 current confirmed cases was worse than the H1N1 that broke out on Obama’s watch that infected 60,000,000 people. (We were conveniently not told that Obama had authorized $3.7 million U.S. tax dollars to be used at the Wuhan Institute of Virology to utilize corona viruses in bats in 2015 — but that’s yet another deception of omission.)

But none of these “truths” turned out to be so.

The death rate in New York State isn’t 7.4%, it is actually .75%. The recently ended influenza season numbers from the CDC indicate possibly 56,000,000 cases of flu, 740,000 hospitalizations, and 62,000 deaths. Under the current count from the Johns Hopkins Dashboard in this five month stretch CoVid19 has racked up 845,959 confirmed cases, 122,000 hospitalizations and 46,972 deaths.

A couple of other observations are extremely relevant. To begin with the flu — which has no vaccine but rather a randomized version of a shot designed to help develop antibodies to fight the version of the flu that “smart people” *think* will be the primary version that particular year — has remedies that physicians prescribe in primary care on an as needed basis. So we’re not accustomed to thinking that the flu is this deadly killer that all of life must be shut down to prevent. CoVid19 had no known treatments at the beginning of the breakout, and for political reasons—and possibly financially incentivized ones to boot—the most effective treatment for CoVid19 became a political football. Even the supposed “negative” trials that were reported on this past weekend, had cherry picked subjects that were mostly late stage victims of the virus. As Dr. Vladimir Zelenko pointed out on my show this week, doing so created the negative outcomes “purposefully & by design.” When used under a physician’s care, in the primary care basis, and early on after testing or onset of symptoms, the hydroxycholoroquine, azithromycin, & zinc cocktail reduced the rates of deaths and long term infectious stages. Zelenko’s numbers to date: 1,450 patients treated, two deaths, four ventilator cases (all fully recovered,) and all others recovered. Zelenko and other physicians using the treatment are releasing the world’s largest Meta-study to date within the next few days that will examine more than 2,000 confirmed cases.

The antibody numbers from Cuomo also scream one other harsh reality. The virus was in America long before January.

No thanks to the Communist Chinese Party — who bear the sole responsibility for every American who died from CoVid19 — the infection made its way to American sooner than we had believed. With three flights a day from Wuhan to New York’s John F. Kennedy airport alone the virus was being imported faster than understood.

Since going into national lockdown we’ve also failed one other key component of recovery from this virus—herd immunity. We’ve developed not nearly enough of it. For if 2.5 million New Yorkers were able to fight it off without any treatment at all—unaware they even had it—how much more immunity did we miss out on creating by simply sheltering everyone in place?

We are well on our way to a vaccine. We’ve also got a $12 treatment with the hydroxychloroquine cocktail that has smashed Brazil’s fatality rate by 95%.

Most importantly we’ve got millions upon millions of Americans who have been exposed to CoVid19 and who now have the late stage antibodies that demonstrate immunity.

It is time to acknowledge these facts, draw the necessary conclusions they lead us to, make changes for the benefit of the American people (for once), and end this nightmare.

Thank you Governor Cuomo for acknowledging it, now let’s go!

kimbattlincoln
  4/29/2020 19:42 EST

Alcohol is surprisingly easy to make. Google it.

llseldon
  4/29/2020 21:34 EST

volcan357 do you mean Starr county? You really pick them, no wonder you love Chiriqui.

volcan357
  4/29/2020 23:07 EST

You are right. It is Starr County right on the Mexican border. I had a trailer there but my property was in Tennessee. I spent the winters there but most of my time I was in Tennessee. I filed my taxes from the Texas address and kept Texas tags on my car and had a Texas driver's licence. It was really really hot most of the year and a bit too chilly in the winter. Not such a great climate. I remember one Thanksgiving day I was in my trailer and it was half snowing and half sleeting outside. The heater in my trailer wasn't up to the task. Sometimes you had nice days in the winter but it wasn't reliable. Then by May it was way too hot. Actually the whole Gulf coast of Mexico down to Veracruz could be very chilly in December through February and then later extremely hot. One time it actually snowed in Veracruz, Mexico. Anyway here the climate is much better.

llseldon
  4/30/2020 10:10 EST

volcan357 Ref Starr county, my thought is why didn't go to a more accommodating location for "snow bird" like Harlingen? I went there 5 out of 6 years I lived in OKC, OK to the Oct CAF airshow, when we left (flew) OKC it was cold & usually rainy, when we got to Harlingen it was "hot & dusty" but a lot of "snow birds" wintered there close to the beaches, etc. Starr county didn't sound like the "right choice"? Re snow in Starr county, I was in Corpus in Navy training winter of '66/67 & remember geting snow on a Friday night in February that lasted until noon on Saturday, I had the same experience in Pensacola in 1973 if I remember correctly. Well gotta' sign off & take my dog for a ride to the park for a walk, Will probably have to stop by the grocier for a 6 pack of Shiner Blond light on the way home, I forgot how good that beer is & found one in the frig going out for a ride last evening & rediscovered it flavor, almost as good as a Balboa, Panama, Atlas or Soberano. (note, photo taken at the Balboa Yacht Club during Happy Hour, for new comer to Panama, don't miss the BYC in Amador on the canal for sunset Happy Hours, that's if "they" (Robiblancos) ever unlock the people?? BTW I see this week end curfew is being extended to 3 days, 3 days at home w/o alcohol, chuleta? Sonrisas/saludos amigos del Chagres.

dumluk
  4/30/2020 19:54 EST

Yeah, I know, but it takes years to make good rum.........I dont plan on havin to wait that long....And I cant drink Seco......veneno.......Im out looking for mushrooms now......

dumluk
  4/30/2020 22:32 EST

Ok, I watched the show......limited but something.....Is this YOUR show? Are you a parttime Panama resident? Very interesting and it would appear that Cortizos people have been in touch with Dr. Z.........If those numbers are accurate, especially in the epicenter in N.Y. then thats gotta be impressive.......and worth paying attention to........

StanleySankey
  5/6/2020 21:17 EST

This Friday, May 8, the Dry Law will cease to apply

The Vice Minister of Health, Luis Francisco Sucre, reported this Wednesday that a decree will be issued so that as of May 8 the Dry Law imposed by the declaration of national emergency due to the pandemic of the new coronavirus will cease to apply.

However, he clarified that the lifting of the closure will be gradual and regulated.

"It is reiterated that all kinds of meetings are prohibited and it is also prohibited to consume liquor on public roads," said Sucre. The amount of alcoholic beverages that the consumer can buy will be limited, who can only drink them at their residence, he said.

He explained that he is in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Security to establish the regulations for liquor sales.

On March 24, through Executive Decree 507, the prohibition on the distribution, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages was established throughout the national territory.

https://www.prensa.com/sociedad/este-viernes-8-de-mayo-deja-de-regir-la-ley-seca/

Malaberian
  5/8/2020 13:59 EST

Oops!

False start. It seems that most of the mayors disagree.

Perhaps El Presidente should exert his executive power with two choices to the mayors:

Abide by the law or resign.

If they do neither, as they say here, relieve them of their liberty.

Jazzmann
  5/8/2020 14:46 EST

With a tribution to Patrick Jane, there is no tyranny like Petty tyranny. The Presidente taketh away, the Presidente giveth back and the little mayor's taketh away. In the words of Admiral Yamamoto, upon learning that the attack on Pearl Harbor took place ahead of the Diplomatic schedule; I cannot imagine anything that would infuriate "them" more.

StanleySankey
  5/8/2020 15:28 EST

Seems like some jurisdictions Pese in Herrera and the entire province of Las Santos are choosing to remain dry.

StanleySankey
  5/8/2020 15:30 EST

Notice from Pese

Malaberian
  5/8/2020 21:55 EST

El Presidente took the high road. Very diplomatic approach to the offending district mayors. He let the money do the talking.

Rik61Penonome
  5/8/2020 23:12 EST

so, has anyone figured out who is in charge of this banana republic.
the national govt and it´s president.. or the monocipios and their head monos?.

Hopefully by next tues they can figure something out, seeing as they shafted us guys for tomorrow, again.

Malaberian
  5/9/2020 07:51 EST

It is hard to say for sure.

El Presidente is keeping his head down with all of the purchasing issues.

It appears he is the non-confrontational sort, working things thru the various ministers.
Certainly not a bad thing.

It also appears he has put a lot of authority into MINSA for now. Minister Turner -feels like she is ruling the roost right now with permission.

Question, what happened with the “Round Table” discussion on how to proceed with opening?

isand2017
  5/9/2020 10:22 EST

Dry law lifted with purchase limits,

After a hiccup caused by the delay in publishing the decree in the Official Gazette the announced lifting of the American Continent’s only dry law in the fight against coronavirus, the limited sale of liquor in Panama resumed on Friday, May 8 for home consumption only.

The retail sale will only be allowed for personal use at home and purchases must be made within the framework of current mobility.

The sale can only be made in commercial establishments that have a license for the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Consumers can only purchase a bottle of wine or six units of beer or liquor of any kind.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/dry-law-lifted-with-purchase-limits

llseldon
  5/9/2020 13:05 EST

Yehaw saludos

llseldon
  5/9/2020 13:06 EST

Yehaw saludos

llseldon
  5/9/2020 13:08 EST

Getty-up.

PJBarrett1944
  5/9/2020 13:32 EST

My favorite -- Clos in the 3 liter pack

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