This week, data from the second survey on Latin Americans' perceptions of the coronavirus, conducted between June 15 and 30 by Grupo Diarios de América, was revealed. Uruguay was one of the countries with the most optimistic perceptions regarding the development of the pandemic.
But this is not consistent with the rest of the region. Due to the situation we are experiencing worldwide, and the fact that the new focus of the pandemic is Latin America, feelings of anxiety, uneasiness and uncertainty about the duration of the crisis have recently gained strength.
The biggest concerns generated by the coronavirus crisis are family health, the duration of the pandemic, the impact on the economy, the functioning of the health system and the lack of reliable information. These concerns are aligned with those expressed in the first GDA survey.
Unlike the first survey, the new sample shows a 16% decrease in the evaluation of national governments regarding the way they have handled the coronavirus crisis. This may be due to a combination of two factors: an increase in contagion and a deterioration in the economic situation.
What is the perception of Uruguayan citizens?
The case of Uruguayans is different. 60% of citizens have a positive perception of the future, being the most optimistic in the region. They are also the ones who best evaluate the performance of local governments in handling the pandemic, with 61% approval.
Why this change in perception?
According to an article in The Washington Post, Uruguay managed to avoid the worst of the coronavirus for several reasons. Stable and united leadership by its rulers, a robust national health system and a voluntary but widely observed lockdown are all credited as the main factors that may have guaranteed stability in the face of the crisis.
Today, the country began to reopen its activity with caution. Another article published in Foreign Policy states that this Uruguayan success in dealing with Covid-19 is not only the result of immediate actions, but is also based on the institutional strengths that the nation has been strengthening for years.
In addition to being among the countries with the least poverty in Latin America, Uruguay is one of the few in the region where the population has full access to basic services, such as running water and electricity.
Sources: El País, The Washington Post, Foreign Policy.
