Life in Ecuador

I’d like to offer a slightly different perspective on Sunday’s article by David Oriard (“Expats find Ecuador no safe haven from coronavirus,” March 29) as I am also “stuck” in Ecuador.

We were traveling to a friend in Vilcabamba when the country buttoned down. I put quotes around that word because what Mr. Oriard documented were, for the most part, inconveniences. The wedding he refers to would have been canceled anyway due to social distancing in the U.S.

I am quite pleased that Ecuador took strict measures to halt the spread — and why wouldn’t they? Tourism is a large part of the economy here, and, in fact, confirmed coronavirus patient #1 had flown in from Spain. So far, only 2,000 confirmed cases here.

We have, as does Mr. Oriard, the privilege of not having to earn money here. There are hassles like our 1 1/2 hour walk to town for food, but the taxi driver who gave us a lift back with a family to support can only work 2 days a week and that was a true hardship for him. What’s slightly humorous is that when Ecuadorians see us walking for those groceries, they cover up their faces, because it’s the U.S. with the highest number of confirmed cases in the world!

My friends tell me that Spokane is not the same place we left. We hope to have the opportunity to fly home in April, but then again … should we?

Sarah Conover

Spokane