Coronavirus: What is it, symptoms, contagion, prevention and more

What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are an extensive family of viruses that can cause disease in both animals and humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections that can range from the common cold to more serious diseases such as the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes COVID-19 coronavirus disease.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. Both the new virus and the disease were unknown before the outbreak broke out in Wuhan (China) in December 2019.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness and dry cough. Some patients may have pains, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and appear gradually. Some people become infected but do not develop any symptoms and are not feeling bad. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without the need for any special treatment. About 1 in 6 people who get COVID-19 develop a serious illness and have trouble breathing. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop a serious illness. Around 2% of people who have contracted the disease have died. People who have a fever, cough and shortness of breath should seek medical attention.

                                              Link to: Coronavirus Live Map

How is COVID-19 spread?

A person can get COVID-19 by contact with another who is infected by the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through the droplets from the nose or mouth that are dismissed when an infected person coughs or exhales. These droplets fall on the objects and surfaces surrounding the person, so that other people can contract COVID-19 if they touch these objects or surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. They can also be spread if they inhale the droplets that a person with COVID-19 has spread while coughing or exhaling. That is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.

Can the virus that causes COVID-19 be transmitted through the air?

Studies conducted to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is transmitted mainly by contact with respiratory droplets, rather than by air.

Is it possible to get COVID-19 from contact with the feces of a person suffering from the disease?

The risk of contracting COVID-19 by contact with the feces of an infected person appears to be low. Although initial investigations suggest that the virus may be present in some cases in feces, the spread by this route is not one of the characteristic features of the outbreak.

What can I do to protect myself and prevent the spread of the disease?

Take care of your health and protect others through the following measures:

Wash your hands thoroughly and often using an alcohol-based disinfectant or soap and water.

Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based disinfectant kills viruses that may be in your hands.

Keep a minimum distance of 1 meter (3 feet) between you and anyone who coughs or sneezes.

Why? When someone coughs or sneezes, he drops liquid droplets that may contain the virus through his nose or mouth. If you are too close, you can breathe the droplets and with them the COVID-19 virus, if the person who coughs has the disease.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to the eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and cause the disease.

Both you and the people around you should make sure you maintain good airway hygiene. That means covering your mouth and nose with your elbow bent or with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. The used handkerchief should be discarded immediately.

Why? Viruses spread through droplets. By maintaining good respiratory hygiene, you are protecting people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

Stay home if you are not well. If you have a fever, cough and shortness of breath, seek medical attention and call ahead. Follow the instructions of the local health authorities.

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up-to-date information on the situation in their area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to direct you quickly to the appropriate health center. This will also protect you and help prevent the spread of viruses and other infections.

Stay informed about the latest developments in relation to COVID-19. Follow the advice of your health care provider, relevant national and local health authorities or your employer on how to protect yourself and others before COVID-19.

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up-to-date information about whether COVID-19 is spreading in their area. They are the most appropriate interlocutors to give advice on what people in your area should do to protect themselves.

What are the chances of getting COVID-19?

The risk depends on where you live or the places you have recently traveled. The risk of infection is higher in areas where there are cases diagnosed with COVID-19. Currently, 95% of COVID-19 cases are concentrated in China, and most of them in Hubei province. For people who are in almost any other part of the world, the risk of contracting COVID-19 is currently low, although it is important that you follow the evolution of the situation and the preparation efforts that are carried out in your zone.

Should I worry about COVID-19?

If you are not in an area where COVID-19 is spreading, you have not traveled from any of these areas or been in close contact with someone who has done it and feels bad, your chances of getting it are currently low.

Who is at risk of developing a serious illness?

We still have a lot to learn about how COVID-2019 affects humans, but it seems that older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes) develop severe cases of the disease with more frequency than others.

Are antibiotics effective in preventing or treating COVID-19?

No. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, only against bacterial infections. COVID-19 is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not work against it. Antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment of COVID-19. They should only be used to treat a bacterial infection following the instructions of a doctor.

Is there a vaccine, medication or treatment for COVID-19?

Not yet. To date, there is no specific vaccine or antiviral drug to prevent or treat COVID-2019. However, those affected should receive health care to relieve symptoms. People who have severe cases of the disease should be hospitalized. Most patients recover with the help of supportive measures.

Possible vaccines and different specific pharmacological treatments are being investigated. There are ongoing clinical trials to test them. WHO is coordinating efforts to develop vaccines and medications to prevent and treat COVID-19.

Should I wear a mask to protect myself?

People who do not manifest respiratory symptoms such as cough do not need to wear a medical mask. The WHO recommends the use of masks in the case of people who have symptoms of COVID-19 and in those who care for people who have symptoms such as cough or fever. The use of masks is crucial for health workers and people who care for someone (whether at home or in a health facility).

How to put on, wear, take off and discard a mask

1. Remember that only health workers, caregivers and people with respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough should wear a mask.

2. Before touching the mask, wash your hands with an alcohol-based disinfectant or with soap and water.

3. Inspect the mask to see if it has tears or holes.

4. Orient the upper part up (where the metal strip is located).

5. Be sure to orient the correct side of the mask (the colored side).

6. Put the mask on your face. Pinch the metal strip or the rigid edge of the mask so that it conforms to the shape of your nose.

7. Pull down the bottom of the mask to cover your mouth and chin.

8. After using it, take off the mask; Remove the elastic bands behind the ears keeping the mask away from the face and clothing, so as not to touch the potentially contaminated surfaces of the mask.

9. Dispose of the mask in a closed container immediately after use.

10. Wash your hands after touching or discarding the mask. Use an alcohol-based disinfectant or, if they are visibly dirty, wash them with soap and water.

How long is the incubation period of COVID-19?

The "incubation period" is the time between infection with the virus and the onset of disease symptoms. Most estimates regarding the incubation period of COVID-19 range between 1 and 14 days, and generally are around five days. These estimates will be updated as more data is available.

Can humans get the COVID-19 virus by contact with an animal?

Coronaviruses are an extensive family of viruses that are common among bats and other animals. On rare occasions people become infected by these viruses, which can then spread to other people.

As a protection measure when visiting live animal markets or in other similar situations, avoid direct contact with the animals and surfaces in contact with them. Make sure that proper food hygiene practices are observed at all times. Handle carefully meat, milk or raw animal organs to avoid contamination of uncooked foods and avoid eating raw or undercooked animal products.

Can I get the COVID-19 virus by contacting my pet?

No. There are no data indicating that pets such as cats and dogs have been infected or can spread the virus that causes COVID-19.

How long does the virus survive on a surface?

It is not known with certainty how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on a surface, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies (including preliminary information available on the COVID-19 virus) indicate that coronaviruses can survive on a surface from a few hours to several days. The time may vary depending on the conditions (for example, the type of surface, the temperature or the humidity of the environment).

If you believe that a surface may be infected, clean it with a common disinfectant to kill the virus and thus protect yourself and others. Wash your hands with an alcohol-based disinfectant or with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose.

Is it safe to receive a package from an area where COVID-19 cases have been reported?

Yes. The probability of an infected person contaminating commercial items is low, and the risk of contracting the virus causing COVID-19 by contact with a package that has been handled, transported and exposed to different conditions and temperatures is also low.

Is there anything I should not do?

The following measures are NOT effective against COVID-2019 and may be harmful:

Smoke

Take traditional herbal remedies

Wear several masks

Self-medicate with antibiotics or other medications

In any case, if you have a fever, cough and shortness of breath, try to get medical attention as soon as possible to reduce the risk of developing a more serious infection, and be sure to inform your health care provider about your recent trips.

Links for more information

COVID-19 website: https://www.who.int/es/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

WHO travel advice: https://www.who.int/ith/es/

Source: World Health Organization

The Evolution of the Chilean Crisis (II)

No one can deny that after the events of October the constitutional protection of the Chilean economic model is seriously injured.

On October 18th, 2019, one of the strongest and most violent social outbreaks in its republican history took place in Chile. The demand for this movement was clear in its proposal -the improvement of the economic conditions of Chileans- but strongly undetermined in its solution.

The diagnosis, however, is shared. The wonderful macroeconomic results that placed Chile in a privileged position in Latin America have not, over time, relieved the weight of the cost of living of the poorest. While those with greater resources have been able to have a quality lifestyle and services close to any European country, the most dispossessed, on the contrary, fail to meet basic daily needs.

To the deep urban segregation that affects the country must be added the sustained segregation in the most important public services, such as health or education.

In educational matters -perhaps one of the most advanced sectors in the last decade- while the average educational achievement places Chile in a prominent position, that place of privilege falls when studies are made comparing the gap between the top 20% and lower income, showing a frequent mark in the Chilean reality: good average, but bad internal distribution.

The social outbreak has been the answer to all these results. From the hand of the most intense package of neoliberal reforms implemented in some country, the profound inequality that they have generated over time, has simply become intolerable.

The social movement, meanwhile, and quite similar to other European outbursts, is not articulated, denies political mediation quite intensely and does not react as expected to the measures announced. The Chilean panorama is, then, paradoxical: politicians who claim a certain primacy in the concretion of citizen demands, citizens who simply protest and a government that wants to resume normality knowing that things will never be as before.

With the passing of time, however, there was a way of giving a certain intellectual unity to citizen demands. To the questioning of the neoliberal economic model of the most extreme sectors, the rejection of all the political and legal forms that have given it protection was added. Among them, the one that gave it its most efficient and effective coverage during all this time: the 1980 Constitution.

Unfortunately, some sectors have used discontent to try to convince that the change of Constitution will be the automatic solution to all current problems.

This Constitution, created in the middle of the Military Government of Augusto Pinochet, entrusted to a group of lawyers related to the regime and approved by a plebiscite, has ruled the country for more than 30 years. That fundamental carta has been modified in countless opportunities, always with the permission of the political parties that have supported the ordoliberal agenda. They have been, therefore, reforms that have allowed us to live together, but not make structural changes in the successful economic model. When any of those changes were approved, even with the votes of the right, the Constitutional Court -one of the institutions questioned by some sectors of the left- managed to avoid it, ironically protecting the model.

The news of the opening to change the Constitution, and not only to modify it, agreed transversely by all the relevant political sectors of the country, has been received with high doses of joy, but also with some skepticism. Joy, thinking that finally a document will be written considering the needs of the people.

The negative point of this modification is that it would take at least a couple of years in its complete writing, unlike some sectors that propose to modify the existing carta to implement the necessary changes as soon as possible.

The Chilean social outbreak, on the other hand, has shown that the intensity of demand can only be satisfied with structural changes. The improvement of the current pension system -one of the clearest demands of the citizenry- must consider how it is possible to improve the current model of individual savings and move towards one that sees the old-age pension as a social right, for which it is intended to create a mixed system (individual capitalization and distribution).

The fate of the Chilean constitutional change process is still a half-told story.

In these convulsed days, one might think that neoliberalism -at least in the form disseminated by the so-called "Chicago School"- was born and could be improved in Chile.

CSAV will close its maritime vehicle transport business this year

The company will focus its efforts on the container ship business.

The South American Steam Company (CSAV) reported that it will stop providing maritime vehicle transport services within the next few months. 

According to the firm, this business has historically represented less than 1% of its total assets.

Along these lines, CSAV is informing all its customers of operational solutions to continue their transportation needs.

The General Manager of CSAV, Óscar Hasbún, explained that “the decision announced today aims to focus all our efforts on the container ship business, which has evolved according to our expectations and is our main asset through the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd AG, one of the most efficient companies in the industry and with which we have a long-term commitment. ”

Source: Pulso

Who is Luis Lacalle Pou ?

Luis Lacalle Pou wins the elections in Uruguay and ends 15 years of leftist government. The heir who ended the Frente Amplio (Broad Front party) cycle and will be the youngest elected president in Uruguayan history.

Son of former President Luis Alberto Lacalle and great-grandson of the leader of the Luis Alberto de Herrera National Party, he arrives at the government on his second attempt.

Luis Lacalle Pou has the paradoxical virtue of being a familiar face, as a member of a family of political tradition, and a refreshing figure for his youth and the renewal he represents in the National Party (PN). With these ingredients he came to the presidency of Uruguay after defeating in a hard-fought ballot the official candidate Daniel Martínez and thus ended the 15-year cycle of the Frente Amplio (FA) in the Uruguayan government.

Lacalle Pou was born in a wealthy family in Montevideo. Second of four brothers, he studied in a private college and university where he studied law, although he never practiced. Now he also lives in a luxurious neighborhood in the Uruguayan capital with his wife and two children. Great-grandson of Luis Alberto de Herrera, the historic leader of the National Party that catapulted him to power, and the son of former President Luis Alberto Lacalle (1990-1995) and former Senator Julia Pou could only dedicate himself to politics.

Thus, two years after finishing his university studies, he threw himself into the political arena, being elected as a national deputy, a position he revalidated twice, the last in 2010. He has forged his entire career in Congress.

In 2014, he decided to go one step further and opted for a presidential candidacy. After prevailing in the primary elections, he was in the first round at a distance of 17 percentage points from the FA candidate, Tabaré Vázquez. In the ballot, he reduced the difference to 13, just as far away from Vázquez, who returned to power.

This year he decided to try again, after overcoming for the second time the internal screening of the National Party and with the Broad Front extremely weakened after fifteen years of government.

In the first round held on October 27th, Martinez took almost 10 points ahead of Lacalle Pou. However, the opponent managed to get the backing of the main opposition blocks, which outlined him as the big favorite for the ballot.

To his credit he has the popularity and political solvency of his family and, at the same time, with the fact of being the youngest presidential candidate in the country's history, a breath of fresh air just when Uruguayans seem to seek alternatives to the Frente Amplio .

In addition, he has declared himself willing to form a coalition government that would include members of the main parties: the National (center-right), the Colorado (center), Cabildo Open (ultra-right) and even the Broad Front (left).

On March 1st 2020, with 46 years, he will become the democratically youngest President-elect in the history of Uruguay.

Source: Infobae

Chile: Agreement for Peace and New Constitution

The government of Sebastian Piñera and the opposition reached an agreement for a new constitution.

It will be the first time in history that Chile has a Magna Carta born from the democratic debate, because the previous ones -that of 1833, 1925 and 1980- were preceded by a civil war, noise of sabers and a coup d'etat. It is not clear that a new Constitution manages to appease the protests, which exploded on October 18th as an expression of a good part of the citizens who feel outside the path of development of Chile in recent decades. The political class, however, is committed to deliver a solid signal to the public, which has no confidence in any of the democratic institutions, revealing a serious state crisis. "

What will the history books say about what happened in the early hours of this Friday, November 15th? First they will say the basics. That on this day 90% of the political forces signed an agreement called "For Peace and a New Constitution."

They will say that this understanding initiated a process to write a new Magna Carta for Chile, starting with a plebiscite in April 2020, where it will be voted whether or not Chileans want to replace the current Constitution, and how they want to do it.

But the historical texts will also have to add that the transversal agreement was signed just four weeks after a violent outbreak that destroyed a relevant portion of the Santiago Metro network and that included looting, vandalism, church burns, public service headquarters, and of political parties.

The new constitution will carry this "prequel" and probably that will force it with greater reason for its elaboration to reach very high levels of legitimacy. That is what the political forces that signed the agreement tried, by establishing that the new fundamental laws must be approved by 2/3 of the constituent body that is defined via plebiscite. And then the full text must be ratified by a referendum where there will be a mandatory vote.

Anyway, what will start from today is a discussion about how this new constitution should be.

On November 15th, Chile achieved a pact to change its Magna Carta. But what is the agreement really about and why is it historic?

After 28 days of massive protests -in which the citizens demanded to end with a "system of abuses" and greater equality-, the Chilean political class reached a historic agreement around one of the main demands of the protesters: the change to the Constitution.

The negotiation was not easy. Leaders of all political sectors -with the exception of the Communist Party (PC)- remained long hours in Parliament discussing and trying to agree on a formula that would leave everyone more or less satisfied.

"Tonight is historic for Chile," said Senate President Jaime Quintana. "We are responsible, indeed, for many of the injustices that Chileans have pointed out to us," he said.

Broadly speaking, the pact established the convening of a referendum in April 2020 and in which Chileans will have to answer two questions: first, whether or not they want a new Constitution; and, second, what kind of body should write it.

Although it is still difficult to predict whether or not this will calm the rage of the protesters, various public figures -and of different political sectors- have positively valued the agreement and called for "social peace."

But what is consensus really about? Why is it historical? 

1 - The most important points of the pact

The first most relevant point of the agreement is the realization of a plebiscite in April 2020 where Chileans must answer two questions:

* Do you want a new Constitution?

I approve or reject.

* What kind of body should write the new Constitution?

Constitutional mixed convention or constitutional convention.

What is the difference between both methods? While the "mixed constitutional convention" will be made up of 50% of parliamentarians in office and 50% of citizens elected for the occasion, the "constitutional convention" will consist only of citizens elected for that purpose.

With the result of the plebiscite, the election of the members that will make up any of these two instances will take place in October 2020 under universal suffrage. This will happen at the same time as the regional and municipal elections.

As a method of election, the agreement text states that "the same electoral system that governs the elections of deputies in the corresponding proportion will be used".

On the other hand, the pact of Chilean politicians points out that the term of operation of the constituent body in charge of drafting the new Fundamental Charter will be up to 9 months, extendable only once for three months.

This body must approve the voting rules and regulations of the same under a quorum of 2/3 (66.6%) of its members.

Sixty days after the delivery of the new constitutional text by this body, a ratifying referendum will be held with universal and mandatory suffrage.

Finally, the new Constitution will govern at the time of its promulgation and publication organically repealing the current Constitution (issued in 1980 during the Government of Augusto Pinochet).

Whatever the constituent body (mixed constitutional convention or constitutional convention), it must be dissolved once the task entrusted to it has been completed, that is, to write a new Fundamental Charter.

2 - Why is it historical ?

The political leaders who signed the pact considered this agreement "historic."

But how true is that statement?

The doctor of political science of the University College London (UCL), Javier Sajuria, explains to BBC Mundo that the historical character is due to the fact that "never in Chile has a Constitution been drafted by an elected body or with citizen participation."

"It has always been done by small groups, either experts or politicians, without much feedback during the process," says the academic.

On the other hand, there are those who say that it is historic due to the "breadth of the agreement", being signed from a party as conservative as the Independent Democratic Union (UDI) to members of the left-wing coalition called Frente Amplio.

Source: BBC, T13, El Libero, Author's notes

The Evolution of the Chilean Crisis (I)

The string of mobilizations that began with the rise in the subway fare and that revealed various unresolved social demands, have been analyzed by different unions and companies in recent days.

But the mea culpa is shared. Much of the responsibility is attributed to the political class, who have kept the most relevant reforms in the congress locked or with little progress.

In terms of inequality, “There was a great growth of the middle class but it is a precarious middle class, which has low pensions, high levels of debt, that lives a lot on credit and has very low salaries. It is a situation where everyday life is precarious, living with uncertainty" (BBC World).

In relation to the expectations of social improvements, the Chilean political class has been promising improvements in the quality of life of people in Chile for years.

Educational, constitutional, tax and health reforms have been announced but many of them have failed to meet society's expectations.

Social unrest, then, has resulted in this outbreak that is ending with the destruction of a hundred public spaces in different cities in Chile.

The violent protests that have caused the closure of businesses, the paralysis of transport, the interruption of supplies of goods and the insecurity in the streets will affect employment, will have an impact on economic activity, on consumer prices and levels of population consumption. However, and considering that the manifestations have been decreasing economic activity should tend to normalize and not affect the projection of 2020.

* You could also read: The riots that shook Chile

Among the proposals of the entrepreneurial and social world to overcome the social conflict are:

- Demonstrate that companies are at the service of people and not just their shareholders.

- Generate greater flexibility in working conditions and improve social benefits within the company.

- Evaluate the possibility of offering minimum monthly salaries close to CL$ 500,000 (app USD 690).

- Access to credit for financing new ventures.

On the other hand and through a platform for citizen participation created by a small team of Chileans committed to democracy, other priorities have been obtained that they would like to see addressed.

"Chilecracia.org" does not use a traditional voting mechanism, but rather a system of ranking citizen preferences based on peer comparison. In this technique, two items are placed next to each other and people should choose the one they prefer.

There is a list of 90 proposals for which chilean citizens can vote. These are shown in random order in pairs of options, of which only one preference (vote) can be marked. After marking the preference, another pair of proposals appears for a next vote, and so on. There are a total of 4,005 possible pairs; Chilecracia keeps each vote, so that the participant can stop at any time.

The result of the selections is used to create a network of preferences that is used to establish priority rankings. These priority rankings can then be analyzed according to various variables (sex, age, region, political orientation).

Having registered 5,500,000 votes, the most relevant topics for Chilean citizens who have participated up to now are:

1) Minimum Pension Equal or Greater than Minimum Salary

2) Increase Minimum Salary

3) Set the salary of politicians as a proportion of the minimum wage

4) Water deprivatization

5) Effective jail for Collusion offenses

6) Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens

7) Eliminate obstacles and punishments with pre-existing diseases in Isapre 

    and Fonasa (health systems)

8) Universal Health Insurance

9) Limit Price or Gain of Medicines

10) Reduction of salaries of high public officials

There is a coincidence that we must continue on the path of growth and development, but now a new social agenda is added that contributes to improve people's conditions.

La semana que cambió a Chile

La tercera semana de Octubre, parte de los chilenos se lanzo a las calles para reclamar por varias demandas económicas, llegando a reunir más de un millón de personas en la ciudad de Santiago, a lo cual el gobierno de Sebastian Piñera respondió con unas pocas medidas que la ciudadanía consideró insuficientes. 

Después de una semana de manifestaciones, la presión ha disminuido pero no lo suficiente como para asegurar la total normalidad. Hay sectores que intentarán seguir en la calle, como el PC, el Frente Amplio y la CUT, que convocaron a más  días de paro y protesta. A estas fuerzas parece haberse sumado el Partido Socialista, que escogió una de las dos veredas en las que se sitúa ahora mismo la oposición. 

En una de ellas están los tres partidos políticos que concurrieron a La Moneda para dialogar con el Presidente (DC, PPD, PR) y en la otra está el resto, básicamente comunistas, socialistas y frente amplistas. Estos últimos viven su propia crisis. Su mentor e ideólogo, Carlos Ruiz, les manda un severo «tirón de orejas». Les dice que deben dejar de actuar erráticamente y que «este no es momento de sacarse selfies en las marchas» sino que hay que irse para la casa a escribir propuestas y tratar de impulsarlas (La Tercera).

Pero, ¿quién esta detrás del caos generado en estos días? ¿Es casual el incendio simultáneo de varias estaciones de metro y el edificio ENEL? ¿Habrá grupos anárquicos o el narcotráfico detrás de estos atentados ?

Este es un remezón por habernos creído un país rico por mucho tiempo, dejando de lado a los que quedaban en el camino.

Si no nos ponemos de acuerdo corremos el riesgo de caer en populismos o extremismos. No debemos sacrificar todos los logros conseguidos por la premura de mejorar las cosas.

La salida real a esta crisis es la de un gobierno de unidad nacional. Para que eso ocurra, no sólo deben los opositores aceptar ser parte de este proyecto, sino que los que hoy están en el poder deben aceptar reducir el suyo. Se debe convocar a una agenda clara, garantizar el crecimiento económico para solventar mayores demandas. Regular las concentraciones de poder por sectores industriales fin incentivar la competencia. Fortalecer los municipios y las regiones. Modernizar la educación. Modernizar el Estado y rebajar la burocracia.

Sería un error politico pensar en cambiar el modelo económico, en vez de mejorarlo.

Debemos entender que un aumento del 4% al fondo de pensiones es insuficiente para obtener una buena tasa de reemplazo en el tema de las pensiones a largo plazo.

La rebaja de dieta de los parlamentarios debiera ser cercana o superior al 50% de su remuneración actual.

Como hemos podido apreciar, gran parte de la ciudadania está de acuerdo con las manifestaciones que piden cambios sociales mediante medios pacíficos lo que cambia radicalmente si se producen actos violentos o delictivos.

Por otro lado se percibe que el gobierno no ha reaccionado oportunamente en ofrecer soluciones a esta crisis.

Siendo las principales motivaciones que han generado estas manifestaciones los sueldos de los trabajadores, los precios de los servicios básicos (luz, agua, gas), las pensiones de los jubilados y la desigualdad económica entre los chilenos.

Dentro de las medidas propuestas por el Presidente Piñera, las mejor evaluadas son: La reducción de las dietas de los parlamentarios y altos sueldos de la administración pública y reducción en el número de los parlamentarios, el proyecto que crea el derecho a la Sala Cuna Universal a todos los niños de madres o padres que trabajen y el proyecto que establece la reducción de las contribuciones de los adultos mayores más vulnerables. Y a su vez los peor evaluados son: El Seguro que cubre parte del gasto en medicamentos, el aumento de Pensiones de Vejez y el Ingreso Mínimo Garantizado de CL$ 350.000.-

Las medidas que debiera tomar el gobierno para superar la crisis debiera ser: Escuchar las demandas ciudadanas y generar un plan de mejoras, reconocer los problemas de desigualdades en Chile y llamar a un acuerdo político con todos los partidos de Chile y entender en detalle los malestares de la ciudadanía. 

Y como medidas concretas que debiera tomar el gobierno para superar la crisis económica seria: Mejorar el sueldo mínimo, congelar el alza de los servicios básicos (luz, agua, gas), mejorar las pensiones en su pilar solidario, disminuir la Dieta Parlamentaria, reducir el número de Parlamentarios y la gratuidad en Transporte Público para los adultos mayores.

Es fundamental no perder el norte de las demandas de la ciudadanía que no contemplan dentro de sus prioridades la modificación a la actual Constitución o la creación de una Asamblea Constituyente que en algunos países ha obtenido un poder absoluto, por encima incluso de los tres poderes del Estado.

Fuente estadística: Activa Research