The Dominican Republic in times of pandemic

Like many countries in the world, the Dominican Republic has been affected by COVID 19, affecting not only the health, but also the social and spiritual life of many people.

At its beginnings in March 2020, fear, anguish and uncertainty took hold of the nation and as precisely the Easter holiday approached, it seemed to us that we were joining in the passion of Christ, making the loss of loved ones more painful.

Today, the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc in the country. The upsurge in the situation described by medical staff in clinics and hospitals is redoubtable: high hospital occupancy rates, hundreds of people in intensive care in great pain, doctors exhausted by so many hours of work, to the point of collapsing psychologically and emotionally, because it is not easy to see so many people dying or having to remove the ventilator from the person who no longer has any hope of to put it on someone else, who has a better chance of surviving the virus.

It is a virus that has become exponential or very contagious, especially in the greater Santo Domingo. It is a smart virus because it constantly changes or mutates. Four new strains are already circulating in our country, all highly contagious.

The implementation of the protocol to stop the coronavirus pandemic, the use of masks, hand disinfection and social distancing remain imperative. Awareness of these measures among the general population has increased. In view of the current situation, the behaviour of some citizens who refuse to be vaccinated, on the grounds of archaic reasons, is worrying. It is also worrying that groups of unscrupulous young people, in flagrant violation of the curfew, are indulging in the consumption of alcoholic beverages, parties and even the consumption of drugs, further complicating the critical situation that we are all experiencing.

In the face of all this, our Ascending Life teams have been affected, not physically, but emotionally. They aspire to return to the weekly meetings, to participate in the daily Eucharist, festive meetings, training meetings and walks that take place in summer and at the end of the year. Many have not seen each other since last year, as they have had to go and live with their children, leaving their homes and everything that was part of their daily lives. The youngest, who were still working, were suspended from their duties, without any form of remuneration.

In order to maintain the hope of finding oneself, social networks are used for meetings, the sharing of the Word of God, the prayer of the rosary, personalized dialogues, the accompaniment of the family.

Nevertheless, the sense of friendship and fraternity is kept alive. The desire to live and learn new things, such as the use of technology, can be considered a positive element in this difficult time.

This pandemic has hit us in every way, but our hope of reliving, of helping others, keeps us alive. We believe that God is still very present in our lives and that the Virgin of Altagracia accompanies us on our journey.

Sister Lucia of Ascending Life Santo Domingo