So Here's How Argentina is Doing During the Pandemic As 2021 Nears Its End

With Omicron slowly making its way around the world, I've had a few people ask me on Instagram how Argentina's dealing with the pandemic so far.

As far as I can tell, it's business as usual. Most people are opting not to wear their masks because it is no longer a requirement to wear them outdoors or indoors in most Argentine provinces unless you're in an enclosed space like a movie theater, a pharmacy or a supermarket. But from what I've observed, a lot of Argentines haven't followed protocols since early 2021. The reason for this is that they're under the erroneous impression that:

1. The pandemic is over
2. The virus, the quarantine, and restrictions are a government plot to subjugate its citizens

They're tired of wearing masks and applying alcohol on their hands after they've touched a doorknob or shaken someone's hand. To be blunt, they have no regards for their own lives or the lives of others.

Luckily, there has only been one reported case of Omicron in Argentina as of December 9, 2021, but the reported number of infections from regular Covid has started rising again.

• On Tuesday, November 23, 2021, there were 1,644 cases reported nationwide, 109 of which were in Cordoba province. 
• On Wednesday, November 24, 2021, there were 2,234 cases reported nationwide, 226 of which were in Cordoba province.
• On Thursday, November 25, 2021, there were 2,260 cases reported nationwide, 212 of which were in Cordoba province.
• On Tuesday, November 30, 2021, there were 2,332 cases reported nationwide, 137 of which were in Cordoba province.
• On Thursday, December 2, 2021, there were 2,681 cases reported nationwide, 138 of which were in Cordoba province.
• On Friday, December 3, 2021, there were 2,382 cases reported nationwide, 122 of which were in Cordoba province.

On December 10, 2021, La Voz Del Interior, which is an online Argentine news site, reported that the number of Covid cases had risen by 188 percent. This isn't really surprising given how much people are congregating in the same areas instead of maintaining a respectable distance. Don't believe me? Check out some of the photos the hubs took below while he was in downtown Cordoba City.

• On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, there were 3,089 cases reported nationwide, 148 of which were in Cordoba province.
• On Thursday, December 9, 2021, there were 2,744 cases reported nationwide, 157 of which were in Cordoba province.
• On Friday, December 10, 2021, there were 3,573 cases reported nationwide, 164 of which were in Cordoba province.
• On Tuesday, December 14, 2021, there were 4,555 cases reported nationwide, 447 of which were in Cordoba province.
• On Wednesday, December 15, 2021, there were 4,819 cases reported nationwide, 520 of which were in Cordoba province.
• On Thursday, December 16, 2021,  there were 5,301 cases reported nationwide, 674 of which were in Cordoba province.
• On Wednesday, December 22, 2021, there were 11,121 cases reported nationwide, 2,875 of which were in Cordoba province.

Fortunately, the death rate has been low and the number of daily infections have fluctuated, but they're a lot higher than they were back in September of 2021.

For instance:

• On September 18, 2021, there were 1,451 cases reported nationwide, 136 of which were in Cordoba province.
• On September 19, 2021, there were 622 cases reported nationwide, 76 of which were in Cordoba province.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the numbers will drop, but with the holidays only two weeks away, I fear the rate of infection will grow. But there's nothing the hubs or I can do about it except to protect ourselves and hope the country doesn't end up in a phase 1 quarantine in 2022.