¡GRACIAS TOTALES! Latin Americans Applaud First Responders

People in small towns and big cities around the world are acknowledging doctors, nurses, police officers and health professionals for their commitment to saving lives during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Doctors, nurses and other health professionals are becoming real heroes in the fight against the coronavirus around the world. Latin Americans have joined the initiative to show their gratitude.

One of the countries most affected by the novel virus—with 39,673 cases confirmed— is Spain. It has also been one of the first ones to show appreciation for their doctors and first responders dealing with patients and trying to contain the spread. Since last week, in cities like Rome, Madrid, Paris, Athens and Amsterdam, people have been standing by their open windows or balconies to sing, cheer and clap for their local medical teams.

Meanwhile, in Italy— the country with the most deaths worldwide with 6,820 and 69,176 cases confirmed— people have tried to combat the despair with music and joy. An example of this is a trumpeter, who started a party from a balcony in Milan.

It is uncertain whether Latin American countries are feeling the effects of the outbreak more slowly or cases are taking longer to be confirmed, but now that every single country in the region has COVID-19 patients, locals have found their own way of also saying gracias.

RELATED: How Is Latin America Coping With Coronavirus? This Maps Will Show You. 

Argentina

At 9:00 PM every night, Argentinians make sure to not go to bed without applauding their first responders. The coastal city of Puerto Madryn, released balloons, in the shape of a rosary, into the sky as a form of gratitude and to ask for people to stay home.

Venezuela

At Fuerte Tiuna, one of the best known military installations in Caracas, some military members applauded police, firefighters, doctors, journalists and the working class in general. 

Meanwhile, no recent health data or metrics of coronavirus cases have been shared or reported, and the diaspora fears the human toll will be incalculable given the precarious situation the Maduro regime has put Venezuelans in.

Colombia

Thousands of Colombians go out at night to applaud and cheer the essential workers. The gratitude is felt and heard through the honking of horns and whistles that resonate all over Bogotá, creating an impressive echo.

Puerto Rico

Tuesday night—the tenth night under total lockdown— was Puerto Rico’s turn to acknowledge the work of the island’s medical teams. People from San Juan, Bayamón and Guaynabo joined in collective applause scheduled now for 8 p.m. every night. And they had a lot to celebrate because that morning, an 87-year-old California resident, Frank Eller, was released from a hospital facility on the west coast of the island. He recovered successfully, in spite of having pre-existing conditions and advanced age.

Brazil

Brazilians from small and large cities all came together to thank their doctors. Residents from favelas to high rise buildings showed their appreciation equally.