LAGO DE ATITLAN, Guatemala (Reuters) – Some Americans, from young backpackers to retirees, are hunkering down for the coronavirus pandemic far from home in Latin America, saying they feel safer and see no point in scrambling to return.
Backpacker and Spanish language student Lola Daehler, from the U.S., jumps into the water as she decides to stay in Guatemala where feels safer to confront the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in San Pedro La Laguna, Solola, Guatemala March 27, 2020. REUTERS/Luis Echeverria
While thousands of Americans sought help from the government or private security firms to evacuate, others chose to stay, worried about what they see as a skyrocketing U.S. caseload made worse by laxer containment measures.
Some seem delighted with their choice, while others are saddened at the prospect of prolonged estrangement from loved ones or are gripped by indecision over where they should go.
With fewer international flights available each day, fast-changing circumstances are helping to write the narrative.
Lola Daehler, a 22-year-old New York native, was traveling with friends in Hawaii as the viral outbreak worsened, provoking sudden travel restrictions. She ultimately opted for the normally tourist-clogged shores of Guatemala’s Atitlan lake, ringed by lush volcanoes and quaint Maya villages.
“I’m very happy I got to the lake,” she said. “I get to wake up and swim and not be in New York City, which seems pretty terrible right now.”
America’s biggest city and New York state have become the pandemic’s epicenter in the United States as local officials plead for reinforcements, with 83,712 infections and 1,941 deaths.
Daehler points to Guatemala’s strictly-enforced 4: 00 p.m. curfew, enacted over a week ago and announc