Please note: Ground Truth Briefings are conducted exclusively by phone. There will be no physical meeting at the Wilson Center.

On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. On March 19, Mexico's Undersecretary of Health Dr. Hugo Lopez-Gatell confirmed there are 118 positive cases of COVID-19 in Mexico, and the country has just reported its first COVID-19 related death. While the virus has yet to hit the country in large numbers, some suggest more stringent precautions are needed. 

However, free testing is limited, and social distancing in Mexico could prove to be complicated. Additionally, some worry that the Mexican public health system appears to be poorly prepared. The country has already seen shortages of medicine and basic supplies at Mexican hospitals, as well as problems in the government procurement process for medication. The government and President Lopez Obrador seem to be downplaying the severity of the crisis, as widespread panic and closures could further damage Mexico's economic performance.  

Join us BY PHONE for a briefing as experts on the ground discuss the outbreak in Mexico and the country's public health system, the possible impact on Mexico's economy, and public sentiment in Mexico surrounding the government's response to COVID-19. 

Speakers

Eduardo Gonzalez-Pier
Fellow, Center for Global Development; Former Undersecretary for Health System Integration and Development, Mexico

Roberto Tapia Conyer
General Director, Carlos Slim Foundation;
Former Undersecretary of Health for Prevention and Promotion, Mexico

Luis de la Calle
Advisory Board Member, Mexico Institute, Wilson Center; Managing Director, De la Calle, Madrazo & Mancera, S.C. (CMM)

Jorge Buendia
Global Fellow, Mexico Institute, Wilson Center;
Director, Buendia y Laredo 

Moderator

Duncan Wood
Director, Mexico Institute, Wilson Center

WHEN: Thursday, March 26, 2020
10:00am - 11:00am ET

Call in numbers:

U.S. toll-free #:  800-369-2054

International call-in #: 1-312-470-7179           

Participant passcode: 6238346

RSVP HERE

Due to the high volume of people using conference call systems during this time, we suggest calling in a few minutes earlier than normal to connect, and please be patient as you try to connect to this call. If you hear a notice that the numbers do not work, please wait a few moments and simply try again. If you connect and are placed on hold while waiting for an operator, please do so. They are working to connect callers as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience, and we look forward to continuing to engage with you!

Source: Ground Truth Briefing