Presidential Press Secretary Jesús Ramírez Cuevas and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Photo: Facebook

By KELIN DILLON

Despite Jesús Ramírez Cuevas, general coordinator of social communication to Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), having tested positive for coronavirus over the weekend, AMLO ignored his own government’s covid-19 safety protocols after exposure to the virus to continue with business as usual on Monday, Jan. 11.

The Mexican government recommends for anyone who has come into contact with a covid-positive person to self-isolate for 10 to 14 days to make sure they haven’t contracted the virus themselves, and to avoid spreading the contagious disease to others. 

López Obrador generally spends every morning with Ramírez during his daily press conferences, including Friday, Jan. 8, when the two shared a microphone.

At that time, Ramirez was pictured not wearing a mask, a direct violation of government health mandates, the same day he ironically attended a meeting of the Health Cabinet, potentially exposing other government officials to coronavirus.

A maskless Ramírez poses with Secretary of Public Education Delfina Gómez and other government officials on Jan. 8. Photo: Twitter

Instead of cancelling his daily press conference, AMLO continued with the presser  as usual on Monday, despite coming into close contact with covid-positive Ramírez only days prior, violating the self-isolation protocols created by his own government. 

The move was particularly tone-deaf considering Mexico recorded its highest number of new cases yet this past Saturday, with a reported new 16,105 coronavirus cases just that day.

Displaying blatant disregard for the safety of others during a national broadcast spreads a message to the public that coronavirus regulations need not be followed, a dangerous idea as Mexico has already registered 133,706 covid-related deaths, making it the fourth-highest death toll in the world.

During the controversial press conference, AMLO lamented about not being able to come into close contact with Mexican nationals during his frequent tours of the country, an irresponsible sentiment to vocalize after his recent contact with the virus.

The incubation period of coronavirus can last up to two weeks, meaning it could be days before AMLO knows if he has contracted covid.

Continuing to hold large daily press conferences instead of isolating is a reckless act by the president as he could spread the virus to many more people, including key government officials, adding to Mexico’s already-uphill battle with the covid-19 pandemic.

…Jan. 12, 2021