Identifying Local Opportunities- Assignment 5

Article 1: Trasladan a 20 pacientes con coronavirus al hospital de Antigua Guatemala ante colapso del San Juan de Dios

• https://www.prensalibre.com/guatemala/comunitario/trasladan-a-20-pacientes-con-coronavirus-al-hospital-de-antigua-guatemala-ante-colapso-del-san-juan-de-dios-breaking/
• A description of the story:
• The article describe how one of the largest public hospital in Guatemala City , San Juan de Dios, collapsed due to the over-saturation of COVID-19 patients. Staff at the hospital commented that they received a higher number of COVI-19 cases than they expected, causing shortages in beds, staff and medical equipment to properly assist patients. due to the collapse of the hospital they had to send 20 patients to a hospital in Antigua Guatemala, a nearby city. The public health sector is looking for alternative solutions to accommodate the rising number of patients arriving at hospitals for treatment but are over-saturated. 
• A description of the problem 
• The problem is that one of the main public hospitals in Guatemala City has collapsed due to a higher than expected influx of COVI-19 patients. The hospital is so saturated that they are unable to take in more patients. 
• Who has the problem?
• The public health sector that controls these hospitals has this problem as they are responsible for the functioning of the running of public hospitals in the country. They now have to find alternative ways to handle the collapse and over-saturation of the hospitals at or reaching maximum capacity.

Article 2: Aprueban protocolos para el uso de transporte público de pasajeros 

• https://www.prensalibre.com/guatemala/comunitario/aprueban-protocolos-para-el-uso-del-transporte-publico-de-pasajeros/
• A description of the story:
• As public transportation has been suspended for more than 2 months in Guatemala, the Public Transportation Association has been pressuring the government to solidify protocols for the functioning of the public buses. The government enacted this regulation as a preventative measure amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.  The article describes that tensions are rising between bus drivers in the association and government functionaries as they are without a source of income since they cannot do their job, driving public buses.  Even though some protocols have been approved the government refuses to allow buses to provide public transport services yet.
• A description of the problem:
• The problem presented is that many bus drivers are struggling to get the government to let them start driving their buses for public transport again. Despite the pressure they have put on the government they have not gained too much traction on getting permission to provide people with public transport again. 
• Who has the problem?
• People and companies that provide public transportation have a problem as they are unable to circulate buses and provide the transportation that people need. They are unable to generate income and are not able to get the government to allow them to start providing public transport again. You can also say that people that need public transport to go to and from work have had to find alternative ways of transportation. 

Article 3: Autoridades locales bloquearon transporte en seis departamentos, señalan gremiales

• https://www.prensalibre.com/economia/coronavirus-autoridades-locales-bloquearon-transporte-en-seis-departamentos-senalan-gremiales/
• A description of the story: 
• Presidential regulations led to shutdowns over the weekends as the president restricted all transportation on weekends.  Most departments in the country are highly agricultural and sources of revenue depend on the sale of agricultural products.  Six departments were highly affected as many farmers cultivated fruits and vegetables for sale in the weekend market and export to the city but were unable to sell that product due to the sudden shutdown. Their product was lost over the weekend and so was their income for the sale of the product.
• A description of the problem:
• Many farmers are unable to sell their products at local weekend markets or send their product for the sale on the weekend. Some of their product is lost because they are no longer fresh after the weekend. 
• Who has the problem?
• Farmers that depend on produce sale on weekends for income. People who depend on these farmers to purchase fresh food from. 

Article 4: Insivumeh asegura que la tormenta del fin de semana podría ser similar a la de la tormenta Ágatha

• https://www.prensalibre.com/guatemala/comunitario/insivumeh-alerta-de-que-lluvia-del-fin-de-semana-podria-ser-similar-a-la-de-la-tormenta-agatha/
• A description of the story:
• The meteorology institution warned the country that the incoming storm, expected this weekend, could bring severe weather conditions.  The institution said that the departments located in the pacific coast are most vulnerable. They ask citizens to properly prepare as they were not prepared the last time and suffered severe consequences due to lack of preparedness. 
• A description of the problem:
• A severe storm is going to hit the country this weekend and there seems to be little preparedness. 
• Who has the problem?
• People living in areas that are at risk of being hit with severe weather due to the storm. 

Article 5: Medidas de prevención tomadas por Costa Rica afectan a más de 750 empresas guatemaltecas  

•  https://elperiodico.com.gt/nacion/2020/05/26/medidas-de-prevencion-tomadas-por-costa-rica-afectan-a-mas-de-750-empresas-guatemaltecas/
• A description of the story:
• Due to governmental regulations in Costa Rica many transport freights from different Central American countries have not been let into Costa Rica. Central America has a trade agreement which has become difficult to maintain due to this restriction. Many trucks are stopped at the Costa Rican Border waiting to be let in. Due to this restriction exports to Guatemala that have to be transported from Panama or Costa Rica are not being released for transport. 
• A description of the problem:
• Guatemalan companies cannot trade with Costa Rican companies because transport is not being let in or out of Costa Rica. 
• Who has the problem?
• Guatemalan, and other Central American companies that rely on trade with Costa Rican companies. Costa Rican companies that need to export products are also affected because their product cannot leave the country.