Personal Update

We are doing fine. As seniors (65+) we are not allowed to leave our home for any reason. We’re figuring out how to exercise, work remotely, stay connected with family and friends, even thrive in this situation. God is good and we have younger people to help us.

Ecuador Update

The first known case was a 71-year-old Ecuadorian who flew from Spain to Ecuador February 14. She had no symptoms at that time, but became sick, was diagnosed February 29 and died March 12 or 13.

Below is a timeline of the coronavirus in Ecuador. This, of course, will be outdated tomorrow since things are changing so fast. For the latest numbers visit this web page.

(If this web page doesn’t automatically translate to English, scroll down to “Las Cifras del Covid-19 en Ecuador.” You’ll see four numbers which are continually updated. “Cerco epidemiológico” I think includes both confirmed cases and their known contacts who are in isolation and being monitored. “Casos confirmados” is confirmed cases. “Personas recuperadas” is recovered patients. And “”Personas fallecidas” is deaths.)

(Another useful site is here. Its first paragraph will have the total number of tests administered and the number of confirmed cases. It will further break down the number of patients as to whether they are at home, in the hospital, recovered, or dead.)

The list below has the date, the number of total cases diagnosed (in parenthesis), and any government action that happened that day. All actions are by the national government unless it says otherwise.

• 29 February (1)
• 2 March (6) – Incoming airline passengers screened for fever or other symptoms
• 3 March (7)
• 4 March (10)
• 5 March (13)
• 6 March (14)
• 8 March (15)
• 10 March (17)
• 11 March (17) – Declaration of national health emergency, no gatherings over 1,000 people
• 12 March (19)
• 13 March (23) – Classes suspended for students of all levels, no gatherings over 250 people
• 14 March (28) – Borders closed , no gatherings over 30 people
• 15 March (37) – Movement within Ecuador restricted beginning 17 March, along with closing of restaurants except for take-out and delivery
• 16 March (58) – Work suspended except for essential services
• 17 March (111) – Quito imposes additional restrictions (no city or intercity buses, no being outside except to buy essential supplies or get medical attention, curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.)
• 18 March (168) – Quito restricts all seniors (65+) to their homes
• 19 March (260) – Three patients have recovered who were diagnosed March 2, 2020
• 20 March (426) – National curfew extended to 7 p.m. – 5 a.m. beginning 21 March

Violating curfews or quarantine carries a $6,000 fine and a threat of jail. It’s unreal how quiet the city is, although right at this moment our bored downstairs neighbor is blasting country western music (in English) as he works in his yard!

Ecuador has many people who live from day to day. Please pray for provision for those who need it. And that we Christians would somehow be a light and encouragement in a dark time.