Fu**show in Mexico

So the govt just closed down basically the entire country. Bars, restaurants, all closed. How about this instead: get fucking Tamiflu out to everyone instead of making people starve because they can't work. I was just down at my local hangout talking to the owner and all the bartenders - they can't work for five days. These guys don't have a bunch of money in the bank. This is going to screw people like them for a long time. I didn't really know anyone who had been affected too badly by the recession (a few layoffs but they would survive). Now I am seeing people who I consider friends, people who I will come back and visit getting totally hosed by their government and this situation. I'm pretty sad right now after my walk through town. I don't know how they're going to make it. I mean, the Mexicans are as good as any people in the world at taking things in stride and putting a good face on things but I know they're all pretty anxious. Shitty. Back in 2006 Oaxaca had the big teachers strike and then the APO came in and occupied the TV and radio stations while the teachers occupied the Zocalo. The army flew over parts of town tossing tear gas out of helicopters, shot a few people, and took a few others away who have never been heard from since. No tourists came here in 2007 (and the economy is 80% tourism). In 2008 the tourists came back and 2009 was going pretty well in spite of the world economy. Now 2009 is a total loss.

Viva Mexico.

Of course every Mexican law has a big gigantic loophole. If you have outdoor seating or a rooftop terrace, you can stay open as a bar or restaurant. And that's whether anyone is using the outdoor seating or not. Everyone can be sitting INSIDE but if you HAVE outdoor seating, you can stay open. Sounds like the same guy who organized the Mexican Bomb Squad came up with this regulation. Over 100 million people in the country, 473 cases of the flu (mostly in La Ciudad), and you close the entire country down. Idi-fucking-otic.