Coronavirus: Venezuela's Healthcare Workers

Per Worldometer, Venezuela continues to have far fewer cases than most of the South American countries. But is that realistic?

The Christian Science Monitor (Oct 8) provides some clues from the perspective of healthcare workers:

Shortages of COVID-19 safety gear have been common across the globe, but the situation in Venezuela is more complex than a challenge of simple supply and demand.

More than 5 million people have fled the Andean nation in recent years . . . Among the millions who have left are doctors, nurses, and medical students, resulting in sparsely-staffed hospitals and clinics.

. . . Some 13 of Dr. Navas’ colleagues have died over the past six months. As of Oct. 5, at least 213 medical workers have died from the coronavirus across Venezuela, making up one-third of the total deaths reported, says Dr. Lorenzo, whose organization is trying to track deaths. 

Yemen is another country where healthcare workers make up a significant number of official COVID-19 deaths. Is it realistic that around 1/3 of deaths in Venezuela are healthcare workers? I doubt it. I think that provides an indication that deaths are seriously under-counted in the country.

In other news, it looks like Venezuelans are once again leaving the country. Associated Press via NBC News (Oct 9):

After months of COVID-19 lockdowns that halted one of the world’s biggest migration movements in recent years, Venezuelans are once again fleeing their nation’s economic and humanitarian crisis. 

Though the number of people leaving is smaller than at the height of the Venezuelan exodus, Colombian immigration officials expect 200,000 Venezuelans to enter the country in the months ahead, enticed by the prospects of earning higher wages and sending money back to Venezuela to feed their families.

. . . Once the migrants reach their destination, a new list of worries sets in. Colombia’s unemployment rate rose from 12% in March to almost 16% in August. Those who can’t afford to pay rent are being evicted from their homes. Further complicating matters, more than half of all Venezuelans in Colombia have no legal status.

Still, for many, the prospect of earning even less than the minimum wage is a boost. Colombia’s monthly minimum wage is currently worth around $260, far higher than Venezuela’s measly $2. 

Even if one can't get full-time work, but can find part-time work you are likely to make more money than you would in Venezuela. Of course, Colombia has to have higher cost-of-living, but due to the exodus Venezuelans understand that they can still make more money by leaving the country.

Finally, Reuters (Oct 20) has the following on what everyone has an interest in:

Venezuela plans to vaccinate citizens with Russian and Chinese coronavirus vaccines, which could arrive in the South American nation in December or January, President Nicolas Maduro said on Tuesday.