The New Year 2022 arrives in Peru with the declaration of the beginning of the Third Wave of COVID-19. The number of infected and deceased people has increased again. We were fine until our authorities said that we could wear a single mask and, for ordinary Peruvians, that meant a relaxation of the measures and many took to the streets without a mask.
The creativity of Peruvians is manifested in the new ways of studying, working and relating – virtual classes, virtual sales, Zoom calls or video calls. On the other hand, there are many families who barely have enough to eat once a day. One of the advantages of working virtually is that you do not need to travel to your work center; you can access either your classes or some jobs from the comfort of home. There are adolescent students who are working and studying at the same time, in order to contribute to the upkeep of their families.
By 2022, it is expected to return to face-to-face classes, although some want to implement semi-face-to-face. Our state educational institutions are not prepared to accommodate large numbers of students with biosafety standards. Although the government has provided cleaning and disinfection tools there are not enough cisterns to store the water. Without water there is a danger of spreading contagion.
As a Sister of Mercy, I see the need to accompany the grieving closely and give encouragement and joy to adolescents, colleagues, people in ministry, Sisters and relatives who have lost their loved ones and suffer their absence. This is one of the current challenges. Other challenges are the recharging of cell phones or tablets, buying groceries and school supplies.
The celebrations, cancelled due to COVID-19, have restarted and, a large number of people are seen in public places, as if there was no pandemic. There is a sizable group who oppose the vaccine. The government has made it mandatory to present vaccination cards for entry to public places. I appreciate this measure.
We enter 2022 with the hope that things will be better and that the integration of the family will increase.
Angelica Gonzalez rsm
(Trujillo, Peru)
Southern Province
