Editor's note: Elisabeth Ashe is a freelance writer who splits her time between Barrie and Mexico. This is her experience with receiving the COVID vaccine while in Mexico.
It was with joy mixed with envy when I learned that foreigners living in Mexico could receive the COVID-19 vaccination.
All they need is a CURP card (Clave Única de Registro de Población, or Unique Population Registry Code) proving their residency in Mexico. I have many friends who qualify, which made me determined to apply for my permanent residency after 27 years of living months each year in Mexico.
This same joy/envy applied to all my friends and family in Canada who were also receiving their vaccines. As for myself, I am stuck in limbo between no official residency status in Mexico, other than as a tourist, and far from my home province in Canada. It appeared I would have to wait until I returned to my home country on May 1, and after my 14-day isolation, which is mandatory in Canada.
The best I could hope for was staying safe and keeping doing what I was doing — masking, social distancing, and washing my hands frequently.
A call from a friend told me the mayor of Zihuatanejo, Jorge Sanchez, had just announced that anyone over the age of 60, including foreigners without the coveted CURP, could get their vaccine. I would need my passport and a utility bill that showed where I was staying, even if it didn't have my name on it.
I was ecstatic and raced to the sports complex in Centro Zihuatanejo. Once there, I was pleasantly surprised and grateful that at 5 p.m., most of the crowd had thinned out, as I'd heard from people on a local chat group that some had waited up to 10 hours to get their vaccine.
At the gate, I was asked my name and given a number — 1455 — and told to find a seat near a small group of people ahead. An attendant informed me that they were already at number 1350, so it wasn't long before I was called into Stage 2, which required registation.
A pleasant young woman took my documents and asked for my CURP number. When I told her I didn't have one, she said she couldn't help me.
My eyes filled with tears as I tried to explain what the mayor had announced that morning, but she shook her head and said she would talk to her supervisor.
By now, I was pretty much beside myself. One of the other assistants saw how distressed I was and very kindly put her hand on my shoulder and led me to another station.
“No te precupes,” she said, meaning don't worry.
I have to admit, I was a little embarrassed and surprised by how emotional I was, yet again how grateful I am for the Mexican people's kindness. It's something I have experienced time and time again.
The supervisor asked me some questions and gave me a temporary and coveted CURP number. I moved to the next station.
I was starting to get excited now.
But wait... someone was announcing over the loudspeaker and I couldn't understand what they were saying. I asked the woman behind me and she told me the vaccine had arrived, but it was still too cold to use. We would have to wait until it warmed up a little.
I relaxed and struck up conversations with my neighbours as we all got into the spirit of things.
Everyone was as excited as I was, except for one gentleman who seemed to have a change of heart and got up to leave.
The group immediately alerted the military guards, who stopped him at the door and gently coaxed him back to his seat, where we all encouraged him not to worry.
"No te precoupes," I said, as everyone smiled at me.
And we cheered when he got his vaccine.
After an hour or so, the sports complex erupted in applause and we knew we were in luck.
Still, it wasn't until I finally got the injection into my arm about 15 minutes later that I could fully relax. And I'm not ashamed to say I wanted to hug all the people responsible for my good fortune.
In all, I was impressed with the organization and execution of the whole process. But most of all, I am grateful to know I can return to Canada with one shot behind me.
Thank you, Zihuatanejo. You should be proud of yourself.
