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Location Date North America 1585609200 South America 
1584921600 -
Location Date Chile
1584921600 Falkland Islands 1581033600 Argentina 1580428800 -
Location Date Santiago
1584921600 Lastarria 1583625600 Valparaíso 1583193600 Puerto Montt 1581811200 Punta Arenas 1581206400 -
Location Date Mon, 23 March 2020 1584975074 Wed, 18 March 2020
1584571230 Wed, 18 March 2020 1584531433 Tue, 17 March 2020 1584438232 Sun, 15 March 2020 1584310809 Sat, 14 March 2020 1584191087 Thu, 05 March 2020 1583366400 Fri, 28 February 2020 1582850609 Mon, 24 February 2020 1582587193 Sun, 23 February 2020 1582496125 Fri, 21 February 2020 1582320780 Fri, 21 February 2020 1582319495
Santiago - March 18, 2020
Just a quick update.
Per order from Presidente Sebastian Pinera, the borders to Chile officially closed today. Schools are closed; beginning tomorrow; shopping malls will be closed as well. I have not heard but I am sure store hours for grocery stores and farmacias will be reduced soon.
Today, the Presidente also declared the Covid-19 pandemic a national emergency. As it is with a USA Presidential Order, that declaration gives the government power to institute use of emergency financial and regulatory resources and implementation of the military to both support the public and to enforce any new laws the government considers appropriate, i.e. curfews, etc.
While today's traffic was much less congested because schools are closed, life is going on but with noticeable changes. Overnight, people began wearing facemasks. And street vendors started selling hand sanitizer and face masks. Legitimate stores have none of these items, by the way, but if you need face masks, hand sanitizer, anti-viral wipes, Ibuprophen, cough drops, etc., these items are available on the street. Those guys are keen entrepreneurs.
Our Spanish school is still open but it is expected that it will operate only online beginning next week. The administrators are making decisions step-by-step as information develops. Meanwhile, many of our fellow students have gone home. Some countries like Denmark demanded their citizens return home. Austria sent a plane to Santiago to collect their citizens. Some kids went home because their parents demanded their return. . . . If I had a 20-year-old back-packing around South America for 8 months, I'd demand their return as well. And as you now, the State Department recommended American citizens make plans to leave the country while commercial flights are still available.
Our plans and, my God, making them been grueling, our plans as of this moment are to let the hysteria at the Santiago airport settle down a bit. Photos show incredible crowds standing in front of airline check-in counters with the boards reading Canceled, Canceled, Canceled. We definitely do not want to be a part of the crowds there . . . TALK ABOUT EXTREME DISEASE EXPOSURE POSSIBILITIES!!
We plan to finish our last two days of class tomorrow and Friday and stay here in Chile through the weekend. We hope to rent a car, if they are still available, to drive up into the mountains so we can place our feet on the grounds of the Andes. We might stay overnight to see stars from the incredible southern hemisphere skies. On return trip home on Sunday we hope to get a peek at the beaches once again.
We have a booking on a Delta flight for Monday night. We pray this works out. Please be assured, we are not afraid here. I think our most sincere concern is that countries or the airlines might completely shut down all international flights. While we like this country very much, we do not want to be stranded here waiting for our mutual governments to deem it safe or for the airline industry to determine it is again feasible to resume service.
Let's just hope Delta is still making its single, once-a-day flight between Santiago and Atlanta on Monday!!
If all goes well, we will be in Atlanta on Tuesday morning. . . . Somehow I sense there will be more to this story. We wish you well. Please wish us well.
- comments
Linda Valentine I know how disappointing this is for you, but hope all works out for you to come home. Take care, safe travels, and prayers for your safe trip home.
Betsy Hutson I'm so sorry yall are having yo return home and Cody will not be able to visit, but yall do not want to be stuck, I understand. Please be safe, and have a great trip to the Andes before you leave. XOXO Betsy
Melissa C Murphy Please, try to enjoy your remaining time there and have a safe trip home. You might want Cody to pick up some necessities for you if she can. I went to Walmart this morning while waiting on a prescription to be filled, and was able to get everything that was out of stock on our pick up order the day before. Now, granted, there still wasn't a roll of toilet tissue in sight! It wasn't crowded and everyone was keeping their distance from each other. It isn't my plan to shop in stores however, I needed some canned goods and ground beef so I did go on today. Living in he country, I've always kind 9f kept a decent stock on necessities simply because we can't just run to the store on the corner, so we are good with all of that. I also don't plan on stockpiling anything at this point. They are recommending to buy groceries a week at a time which we always have. I did pick up a few things and prescriptions for my neighbor who has asthma so I didn't want her to have to get out since we were. I feel like if everyone takes this situation seriously and does what has been required of us, there is no need to panic. I will say, I will feel better once you two actually get home safely. I think I would probably wear masks in the airports and planes. They are like a giant can of germs anyway. I love you guys and I'm so sorry this trip has been cut short. Just get home safely!
Gloria Tully Eubanks Janie I’ll pray for your safe and smooth return. Many things here have come to a halt. Our church has postponed all services through April. Restaurants and all businesses are hurting. Please take care of yourself. Love you. Gloria
Mary Janie and Stan, we love you and are wishing you smooth air. You are brave and strong. I admire you both for your level headed ness. Cheaply Delta and get home. We are sending our love. Mary and Greg
Nancy Dzuibakowski bring masks with you cuz you can't get them here, or hand sanitizes. TP impossible to get. Just crazy. You might be safer there than here. But welcome home. We won't be seeing you after our trip to Italy at the end of April/May cuz it has been cancelled. Glad you all are well and hopefully you enjoyed yourself. I admire y'all.
Lane Vastine I hope and pray that all goes well on your flight to Atlanta Monday night and that a virus carrier are not on board. I know Cody is disappointed in not coming over their to visit with you. Be safe, Love Sally and Lane.
Judy Wagner You are so level headed...always have been. Keep enjoying yourself and hopefully, Delta will provide you with a safe, smooth flight home. Judy and Gil
Marsha Momary Thank you Janie for the update, Our prayers are with you two. Please be safe🙏
Alice Jo Fresquez Love to you both. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🎶🎶🌻🌻🍀🍀
Sharon Ussery Praying for a safe trip to Atlanta, go exploring in the mountains til then.
Mike Cooper Safe travels home. Let us all know when you are back in Conus