Covid was born March 14 in Córdoba and he’s truly adorbs
Today, in the always popular section “Mexico in the time of coronavirus,” I give you Covid, a baby Bengal tiger born March 14 in a small zoo in Córdoba, Veracruz.
“Covid was born to an 8-year-old tigress that had been in a circus and was nursed back to health after needing an operation for a hip fracture,” zoo owner Gonzalo Rodriguez told Reuters.
So now you know it, my people not only make fun of death and calamities; we embrace them all the way.
They look more like happy frogs, but it’s the intention that counts, right?
Well, that didn’t take long.
Barely a couple of days after this VERY INFLUENTIAL BLOG first reported on the Iztapalapa conchavirus, a small bakery in Chicago is now making their own version.
“We wanted to turn a negative into a positive one by creating my very own conchavirus,” Eddie Vázquez, executive pastry chef and owner at Rosy’s Bakery, told ABC News Chicago.
Fortunately for Mr. Vázquez, Chicagoans are so excited about they’re placing their orders by the dozen, and I still don’t know how they get the courage to go out, but that’s another story…
It’s not a secret that 2020 sucks, but –heck– it has been a good year for conchas.
The Mexican police force in Quintana Roo (yes, that’s the state where Cancún is located) has come with an awesome PSA to let the community know that the deadly coronavirus is not going to get them.
Watch as police men and women dance to the tune of the Mariachi loco song and simple but catchy lyrics that go sort of like this:
The coronavirus wants to arrive…
The coronavirus wants to arrive….
But it will have to face the cops
I’d like to inform everyone,
That Quintana Roo will not be infected and we’ll do awawy with this virus
OK that sounds boring if you read it, but the actual video is deliciously fun!
Take it away, mariachi loco!
Al ritmo del Mariachi Loco, la Policía de Quintana Roo emite medidas de prevención contra el coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/05F8tGPLwI
Speaking of Mexico and the seriousness of COVID-19, a bakery in Iztapalapa, Mexico has come up with a coronavirus-like sweet bread, which they’re calling –what else?– the conchavirus. According to a very reliable source (i.e. a commenter on my Instagram feed) the genius behind this thing is Panificadora Juanito, a 30-year-old establishment which prides itself of using all natural ingredients.
Oh, did I mention the conchavirus is only $6.50 pesos? That’s… practically USD 25 cents.
Filing under “Mexicans: How can anyone not like us?”
The craziness is not limited to New York City or even the US: My brother sent me a photo (below) from a Mexico City supermarket, showing people doing exactly the same thing: Hoarding toilet-paper –except supplies seem to be abundant down there (at least for now.)
What’s with toilet paper?
I tried again one day later and this time my local bodega (PapaSito) proudly advertised that toilet paper was back, so I went in (naturally). Several rolls of toilet paper wrapped individually sat at the top of a very tall counter, one I couldn’t reach, so I asked a fellow Mexican who works there for help. Our conversation went something like this:
–Can you please pass me four of those? –I asked.
-Four? Only four? –said the man almost incredulous. –Why don’t you take more? People are coming in and getting 15-30 rolls at once…
-Because… I’m not deranged? –I replied.
My paisano cracked up upon hearing that, and then noticed I had also bought a few packs of corn tortillas.
–Well, I’d be damned if we were to run out of those! –He said pointing at my packs of Poblanitas.
I walked away thinking he was absolutely right and was happy to get back to my quarantine (not before I stopped for some other basic goods.)
My U.S. Census 2020 questionnaire is here and while I’m all game and ready to fill out and submit this thing, I will forever be puzzled by the “race” question.
See, when you reach the the “race question” while filling out the 2020 U.S. Census, you’ll get options within five racial categories (see photo below:)
White
Black or African-American
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.
This, of course, leaves this café con leche, whitish Mexican blogger born in Mexico practically in limbo, since I’m supposed to select “white” or “some other race” to comply and be able to go to the next window. (And I’m not alone: Remember this Puerto Rican dude during the 2010 Census who was pissed (with reason) and refused to fill out his Census form, because “Hispanic” was not an option under the Race box?)
Also missing in this section are people from the Middle East and North Africa, which I suppose are supposed to do the same: Select “white” or “some other race,” which I think will make it harder to locate where there is need for local bilingual services in schools or during elections, to name a few things.
I’m personally offended because “Human” is not an option under race, so I decided to use the “Some other race –print race” space to spell out N.P.I. (Ni Pinche Idea.)
Hispanics and people from the Middle East or North Africa, back in limbo…
Good luck marketing this thing to Spanish speakers…
Shopping for a wedding venue in Arizona?
Well, there’s this fine place at the base of Camelback Mountain offering “breathtaking views, impeccable service and an unforgettable experience,” –and judging from the pictures found on their Website, it looks like it delivers on its promise.
However, you might want to consider not inviting any Spanish-speaking friends (especially Mexicans) to your event, unless you want them to spend their time cracking up jokes behind your back or simply avoiding the food in fear of catching this dreadful malady.
Iván Montemayor (aka Míster Cumbia) wants you to dance to the tune of SARS-CoV-2.
A cluster of respiratory illness, originating in the Chinese province of Hubei in December of 2019, has health officials on high alert around the world. The cause is now known to be a new coronavirus that has proven to be particularly infectious and has already claimed about 3,000 lives in a few months.
While Latin America had been free of the virus for some time, the first Mexican case was confirmed on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 coincidentally as this blogger arrived in CDMX for a quick family trip.
Mexicans in Mexico responded swiftly to the threat by –what else?– posting tons of memes while on this side of the border, Mr. Iván Montemayor (aka Míster Cumbia) composed an infectiously melodious cumbia, which is not only perfect for dancing but it’s also … educational. “Wash your hands; take care; prevention is key, etc.”
🎶 Coronavirus, coronavirus, lávense las manos, hágalo seguido… coronavirus, coronavirus, pónganse las pilas en lugares concurridos. 🎶
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