Expert, Laredoans weigh in on why Laredo is most affected city in the country

According to a New York Times report last week, Laredo was the country’s city most affected by COVID-19 relative to population. A sociology expert and many Laredo residents weighed in on the issue with many pointing to culture as the problem.

“We have a culture where direct face-to-face social interaction is important, and many people think that these face-to-face interactions are worth the risk,” TAMIU Associate Vice President for Research and Professor of Sociology Dr. John Kilburn said. “Unfortunately, the risk is considerable with high stakes. People are getting infected. You simply can’t tell who is infected just by looking at them.”

The sociology professor said family gatherings, which are big in the border communities of Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, tend to be a major reason why infections are high in the area. He considers it both a blessing and a curse when it comes to the pandemic.

“Family gatherings are important because they are a part of what we are,” Kilburn said. “It’s a way of life that I absolutely love about this region. People need to be aware that indoor gatherings are riskier than outdoor gatherings, physical contact is risky, avoiding social distance is risky, not wearing a mask is risky. We have to acknowledge that many carriers are asymptomatic. Therefore, everybody is a risk.”

Kilburn said the risks are not worth taking considering the potential consequences.

“The more risks people take, the greater the chance of infection,” he said. “Who doesn’t want to hold the hand of a loved family member and spend hours with them? However, if any one individual has been around someone who has been infected, they can spread the virus to everyone at the gathering. Think about it. If 20 people are in a group and only one of them participated in risky behavior just a few days previously, then all in attendance are at risk.”

There are many risks people are taking to maintain their social interactions despite the pandemic. Many people around the city said these factors plus others such as poor following of safety guidelines, border crossings and even bad facemasks are all to blame.

“We as a city are being really irresponsible, and I’m not saying all people, but some really are,” Kayla Reyes said. “I have gone to stores for things that I personally need and at work. However, I have seen people wearing masks wrong and it’s honestly just super annoying at this point, like just put it on. We are so far into this it’s basically the new normal until everyone gets it together.”

Reyes also puts a lot of blame on the city and state governments claiming they have done little to slow the spread.

“As for the city officials, they really are letting us down, and the governor as well. They have the high power, but we are the ones to blame for keeping them in office for so long,” Reyes said. “Truly, I know that we could have been over this virus a long time ago, but we have selfish people in office. We have ignorant people out and about, and we have people who just don’t care until it does affect them personally, and it’s just sad to see it like this.”

Other people believe it is a much larger combination of issues including continued border crossings.

“One, the crossing back and forth is hurting us,” Nicole Elguezabal-De La Cruz said. “It’s like an endless revolving door for this virus. Two, there are too many companies that are requiring their employees to come to work even though they’re sick because ‘they cannot fail their customers now.’ Literally a sentence from a freight forwarder here to their employees. They’re told to wear double masks, and even though they tested on Monday but don’t get their results until 24-48 hours later, they’re still required to be at work. Three, poor city planning from years ago. Laredo’s been growing for years.

“Instead of a damn outlet mall or water park, another hospital should’ve been in the works. The city’s priorities are screwed up royally. Like I said, this is my opinion based on what I have seen with my own eyes. I’m going on Day 6 of being COVID free. I traced back to when I could’ve gotten it and came to the conclusion it was during a grocery trip.”

Jess Serot agreed about border crossings and criticized the city for continuing to allow people to cross the bridges.

“Laredo and Nuevo Laredo are struggling to control the plague,” Serot said. “It doesn’t help anything to have so many people cross and cross bridges as more virus spreads. But, you know they will claim the essentials and Laredo requires their money for the crosses as they don’t care about people.”

Others blame the inaccurate information people have been fed by the media, city officials and other sources of information as the problem.

“People getting tested still working waiting on results, people having someone at home with COVID and still going to work, people having COVID under supposed quarantine who only work in their minds and going out shopping, contact tracing not being done,” Candi Trujillo said. “People being told they’re okay after 10 days from being tested and can return to work even though they still have headaches, shakes, nausea, but they’re told no need to get tested again, just wait 10 days and you’re good.”

Social media disinformation related to the pandemic is another factor some point to.

“It’s ignorance, failure on the city and government, social media disinformation, politicizing masks instead of making it a public health issue,” Alex Gonzalez said. “Also, a lack of a adequate health care system due to lack of hospitals, nurses and doctors.”

Other Gateway City residents said there could be an increase in cases because many people from the Nuevo Laredo area might be coming into the city to get tested for COVID-19.

“I also think we are reporting numbers for two cities,” Alexa Verastegui said. “COVID tests across are really expensive, so people from across come and get their tests done here. I’ve heard at the bridge if you show your appointment confirmation from Curative they’ll let you cross. A lot of the hospitals across do not accept patients with COVID, so their citizens are coming over to our hospitals. I have heard from various coworkers that their friends/acquaintances feel ill and are coming over to our hospitals. So when you are seeing these raw numbers compared to our population, it is obviously going to be high since we are reporting for two cities technically.”

One Laredoan even came to the conclusion that the true culprit of the increase in cases is not just the people but also the masks and garments people are using.

“Laredo has an abundance of tienditas selling cheap, cloth $1 facemasks,” Elizabeth Huber said. “I am going to tell you as a person who has been making masks since February with access to all the latest research on masks, many people are walking around with facemasks that are not being worn properly or are very cheap and inadequate and protect no one. For starters, I see many people with valves on their masks. These masks only protect you, not the people around you. These masks should not be worn, and if the city council really wanted to protect people, they would ban those masks.

“Your fabric mask should have two to three layers at least and should be made out of cotton on non-woven polypropelene, or you should wear the medical masks the correct way covering both nose and mouth. Additionally, if you are not wearing glasses or goggles, you should wear a face shield as transmission through the eyes is very common.”

Kilburn said there is plenty of blame to go around but that personal responsibility to avoid an infection is key in defeating the pandemic.

“Some people don’t want to wear masks. Some that wear masks don’t like covering their noses. Many people crave face to face human contact,” Kilburn said. “Businesses are struggling and are willing to take the risks of opening up so that they can pay their bills. Our region has many people traveling in and out regardless of whether or not people are performing essential activities. If people do not take precautions to interact in a safe manner, there is no reason for us to expect reduced levels of infection.”

The sociology professor said whether the pandemic ends soon or in one more year, the world we live in and the social interactions that we once knew will never be the same. Kilburn said the pandemic revolutionized the way people gather and the way people communicate as technology has been a strong ally amid the pandemic.

“Of course, we’ll never be the same,” Kilburn said. “Every nation around the globe has experienced substantially higher death rates over the past year. Many of us, including myself, are mourning the loss of a considerable amount of people. I’ve lost several people that meant a lot to me. There may be some interesting changes. Many more people will learn to use technology like Zoom to keep in touch with friends long after this episode of COVID-19 is history. Households are spending more time together. We will have a greater respect for people who practice precautions for the sake of their health and the health of others.”