Dominicans Forced to Choose Between Feeding their Families or Buying Masks for Protection Against Coronavirus
By Nelson Santana
May 7, 2020
Toward the end of April, Ana Peña received a video via Whatsapp. At first glance, she said to herself, “And what is this crazy man doing with a plantain leaf on his face?” Ana hit play on her cell phone and began to watch the video. As she viewed the video, with a tear in her eye, she asked the Lord for forgiveness for judging the man.
Ana feels terrible for judging the man in the video, however, underneath all the layers there is something even more profound. Behind this video there is a major debate taking place within the Dominican populace: purchase a mask to protect oneself from the coronavirus or use the money toward the purchase of food to feed one’s family?
The man in the video explains that he cannot afford to pay $50 pesos for a facemask because he needs the $50 pesos to buy food for his family. According to him, “Whoever has 50 for guineíto and eggs cannot buy a facemask.” The viral video’s interviewer states that the government is allegedly providing masks to people. With a calm demeanor, the gentleman responds, “I have five kids. If I get 50 pesos I cannot spend it on a mask.” The gentleman shows his purchase: a bag with eggs and guineo.
This is the harsh reality that many families are living worldwide. Purchasing a mask is a costly decision that could lead many people to lose their lives. To wear a facemask or not to wear a facemask? That is the question.
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