Since people often ask me what’s happening in Argentina with regard to the pandemia, I thought I’d do a brief update.

As background, Argentina has a total population of 44.9 million, about 15 million of whom live in what you might call Greater Buenos Aires, ie the city and suburbs. There is also a Province of Buenos Aires, but the city is a separate entity, kind of like Washington DC or Mexico DF. Its official designation is Ciudad Autónima de Buenos Aires (CABA).

In the early part of the pandemia, the cases were highly concentrated in the city, but that has gradually changed, and now there are more cases and “outbreaks” in cities in other parts of the country. They are still quite restricted, and just yesterday there was a riot in Formosa Province against a new lockdown.

In Buenos Aires we feel very lucky, because other than the ubiquitous masks, things look surprisingly normal. It’s summer, of course, and outdoor eating is the norm. But restaurants, bars and cafes are all open, with protocols, although sadly quite a number closed their doors permanently as they couldn’t wait out the lockdown. Unfortunately, downtown is a sad sight with all the shuttered shops that couldn’t make it, but I think when the tourists come back that will help a lot.

My tanguera friend Susan tells me there are several outdoor milongas operating and she is dancing almost every night! Apparently they are operating legally, with protocols, but for some reason there’s not much publicity about them. Maybe the authorities are not encouraging tango yet, but not completely banning them either. That’s very Argentine!

As for the long-awaited vaccine, the term “roll out” would be a misnomer! So far I think they have vaccinated a total of about 1.5 million people, many of whom are emergency and essential workers — not to mention those who jumped the queue because they were cronies of high level government people, including the Health Minister, who had to resign. That’s also very Argentine, although it has also happened in a number of other countries.

In the Province, over 70s are now getting their jabs, but so far in the city it’s over 80s, so they’re not quite down to my age group yet! Hopefully soon. Most of the doses seem to be the Russian Sputnik variety, although I keep hearing we’re getting the Astra Zeneca/Oxford one soon. Like most people, at the beginning I said I didn’t want the Russian or Chinese jabs because I didn’t trust their governments, but now I don’t care where it comes from — just get it in my arm! I have friends who were originally not planning on taking the vaccine, but realizing they probably won’t be able to travel without it, are now going to be lining up with the rest of us.

The reason it’s so slow is quite simple really. This is a poor country, and we don’t have the money to get the vaccines as easily or in such volumes as the rich nations. We’re getting there though, and I definitely see a light at the end of the tunnel. I have my fingers, toes and eyes crossed that I’ll be able to take my Scotland and Canada trip sometime this year!

And yes, I’d still rather be in Argentina than anywhere else in the world!