Well, Panama is not immune to the virus that has spread around the world. The good news is that the government has been proactive in dealing with it. Effective at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, Panama will suspend all commercial flights into and out of Panama. So if you have travel plans to visit Panama, you need to delay them for awhile.
All public entertainment areas and stores in the entire country must close, which includes, restaurants, bars, clubs, casinos, and children’s parks, as well as beaches. Food delivery services, grocery stores, and pharmacies will continue to operate with social distancing and capacity limits.
Here in Boquete, most bars are closing and restaurants are on a take out or delivery mode only. The mayors of Chiriqui province including Boquete have implemented a curfew of 9 PM to 5 AM. Like the rest of Panama, Church services, fairs, events for more than 50 people have been suspended. Grocery stores limit the number or shoppers who can occupy at one time but otherwise, we have not seen any shortages of goods or food supplies. One good thing about Boquete is our agriculture business and we can always count on protein and veggies being readily available not to mention all the cheese makers and bread bakers!!
I must say that I was just about to take off for the beach for awhile but all beaches are now closed too! While all of this has been stopped for 14 days, I do think we will see more drastic measures implemented rather than go back business as normal. It is time to get used to the New Normal for awhile.
On a lighter side, I wanted to share a story that I read that is on point with one thing that we can all do right now.
I just read an article by one of my favorite writers Lori Borgman titled To Do or To Be, that is the question. Here she talks about dumping your to do lists and create one instead that is a “To Be” list. Here are some excerpts;
At the top of my To Be? A better listener, a person who doesn’t just hear, and is quick with solutions, but one who truly listens with understanding.
Recently, I was digging through my purse for a pen when a woman stopped me to say something very kind. I made eye contact, but it wasn’t until she finished that I realized I kept digging for a pen the entire time she spoke. What’s the matter with me? Please don’t answer and, if you do, hold it to 10,000 words or less.
To Be? A person who knows that time is not a commodity, but a gift—a gift given to us and a gift we give others.
To Be? Generous. To freely share all that I have. No strings attached, no thank you expected, simply to give because giving is good.
To Be? Attentive. I know the clerks and cashiers and the produce people at the grocery where I shop by their faces, smiles and voices, but not their names. I see many of them weekly. Common courtesy says I ought to pay attention to their names.
At the end of the day, I nearly always wish I had been more in the moment.
Things on a To Be list won’t be checked off as quickly as those on a To Do list. By the time I get through some of those To Be items, the glue on the back of the sticky notes will be dried and worthless. But slow progress is better than none.
By the way, John is the name of the man who stocks produce in the early mornings.
One To Be down and a thousand more to go. The end!
Let us all pray that we get back to normal sooner rather than later and in the meantime, hold those close to you and be sensitive to others feelings. Not everyone is thinking what you are at the moment and many will be dealing with this worse than others.
God bless!!
Thank you Lori Borgman and Tom for sharing. Wonderful words within these excerpts.
I’m a bit of a dinosaur, Grew up in the 60’s 70’s, still growing up in some ways, and I love that part of all of us when revealed willingly and honestly.
Particularly for those much younger, many immersing themselves and often relying on social media, we used to live as a society by codes that are clearly stated in these excerpts by Lori Borgman. We also got charged / jacked up with our human contact with others, like a conversation, eye contact, meeting new people, embracing cultures from around the world.
I think as a group of people in older age groups, we now more than ever, have a responsibility of making sure those much younger are engaging in a positive way through building relationships beyond what a screen can offer.
Inter generational activities can be such wonderful learning experiences for older, younger individuals. Technology and social media are terrific and actually can/should be used effectively today due to the physical distance we know we have to maintain during these difficult times combating the COVID-19.
This is a great time of opportunity right now to spend time becoming more aware of self and one’s past actions for planning any change we think is positive and realistic for making a difference in the future. Look up and forward, be proud, and take care of your health and then if able, reach out to those around you. By following this practice, you actually can see what’s coming at you, and that makes for wiser, safer choices.
I could go on and on but know I have probably lost the attention of many already. LOL. I live in the mainland states and spent 5 months living in Panama a few years ago. It was disappointing when my plan long term did not work at the time for developing social enterprise within the non profit world, while trying to support these efforts in helping someone else grow their own business.
I loved Panama when I was there in 2014-2015, the people and their cultural identity, the beauty of the landscapes, communities that I saw working together as one. Stay safe and well. Wishing everyone the Best and In Faith and Gratitude and Love Always. Michael
Thank you so much for the valuable information.
My husband and I are retiring to Boquete.
We have a closing date of April 22 on our home.
We hope that the buyers will allow us to rent our home back until May.
We hope that by then, we will be able to retire in Panama.
Best wishes, stay safe!