How lucky we are. Yes!

 (I was writing a friend and decided to post it here)
Note that I've included added info in parentheses.....( )

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Hmmm, seem to feel the need to keep on writing!

I trust you do not mind but will actually understand better than most(he is originally from south of our border) what I'll be saying.

Got a call a few days ago from a Guna(indigenous tribe living mostly on islands off of the Carribean coast of Panama) man I stay connected to as he is my link to his tribe.  He speaks enough English and Spanish that we can get thoughts across and that's what's needed.  I live within his complex when on his island and had hired him in years past to work on my boat in the San Blas.  Anyway, I had been trying to help him get and keep his son educated.  A bit of this and that and some funds, direction etc. 

He Called a couple of days ago. (2nd time in a month)

"Panama is locking down.  All Guna's to return to their islands from the mainland (Panama City mostly).  No one In or Out until further notice.  School closed.  No food! No way of making $. Scared."

They get radio, some tv and some phone info from Panama City so of course hear of the Holland America cruise ship stranded with deaths aboard and with limited BS coverage of news now a days, they focus on that.

The Gunas live in huts/ bamboo walls, palm frond roofs, dirt floors.  3 generations(5-10 people) usually inside a 12 x 20 or so hut. No interior walls, hammocks and a constant wood fire burning in a pit over in a corner.  Mainland river water, now held in 5 gallon dirty old buckets sitting outside(mosquitos).
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As an aside, see:  http://ahunaho.blogspot.com/
(a hand up not a hand out)
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Food is now only available from their personal fincas(farm plots) on the mainland.  some bananas/plantains/yucca and rice(rice pre-purchaced before all of this), but running out.  For families that have a capable man and ulu(dug out canoe), they get some small fish but they and that is a minority.  Families, many without a man, have to depend on hand outs from neighbors.  Really bad situation especially when you consider this will most likely go on for a few months and that all of the population there on crammed into huts separated by maybe 2' between each for walkways.  How long can they exist like this?

IF...or when, just one gets sick, there is no way of testing, no way of stopping the spread as all on these islands have to move about somewhat, so it will spread hut to hut almost immediately. Note too that there is basically.. NO medically trained people anywhere that is available to help.

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Down in the Darien Gap, the other area I'm connected to, the missionary couple I've worked with are forced by military patrols, not to leave their property.  Roads closed and monitored.  For families there in this remote land, that depend on day to day shopping and trading resources in local markets, they now have no access at all to food. None.

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I've been trying to stay on top of the migration issue.  Many from Africa and Middle East are still flooding Ecuador(which is being nailed by this virus right now).  From Ecuador, they are transiting to Columbia and into the Darien Gap jungles of Panama.  There foot path is linked to indigenous villages along the way to access food, shelter and supplies often previously brought in by smugglers etc.  How is all that going to play out?  Not good!

So, although we here in the US can feel we are stressed out by this and even if some of us might die, I can only reflect on how lucky we are even now, have been and will be.  We are a blessed nation as are many advanced western societies.  I count my blessings.