https://www.elpais.com.uy/informacion/sociedad/dia-internacional-mujer-asi-transcurre-marcha-actividades-8m.html

(Article in Spanish)

Despite strong recommendations from the government not to gather in large crowds, about 8000 people marched through the streets of Montevideo on March 8. A lot of them did not wear masks and there wasn't much social distancing. Even the female mayor of Montevideo and certain leaders of feminist organizations in Uruguay told people not to gather. But what was also outrageous was that no one was willing to do anything to break up these crowds because they feared the political backlash.

Now fast forward two weeks later. On Monday, Uruguay just experienced its highest daily increase in the number of cases. Today, Uruguay just experienced its highest daily death count from COVID. And now the intensive care units are on the brink of saturation.

I do acknowledge that much of this may be caused by the presence of the new Brazilian variant. But still, to gather in a large crowd like that when much of South America is experiencing another wave of the pandemic is just selfish and reckless. I can't help but wonder if things in Uruguay would be under much better control if these people listened to COVID recommendations and stayed home that day.