Virus fears curb old customs in Latin America

Rise in cases in region alarms those who previously thought nothing of passing around their

Sharing mate is an old tradition in South America – but the new coronavirus is changing that.

In Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina, people customarily consume the beverage – made by steeping leaves of the mate plant in hot water – in groups, sharing a metal straw, or bombilla,

from mouth to mouth. The tradition transcends social classes, is present in the home and workplace, and on hand for just about social occasion.

Footballing megastars Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez have often been seen with a

mate in hand. Now, as countries around the world implement social distancing in an attempt to curb the spread of the Covid-19 disease, mate enthusiasts are being urged to consume the beverage individually.

Some people are making a big effort to put health concerns above habits of sharing the social brew. Others, not so much.

“For Uruguayans, it’s always acustomtoshare,”said66-yearold Oscar Brun of Uruguay.

Brun, who has lived in Argentina for decades, acknowledged that it’s up to the individual whether they want to share the bombilla as mass anxiety over the new coronavirus sweeps the region.

There are more than 230 reported cases of people infected with the virus in Argentina Uruguay and Paraguay, alarming those who previously thought nothing of passing around their mate.

“It’s ugly to be like this, without giving a kiss, without embracing, without sharing

mate,” said 67-year-old Roberto Gervasoni. “It’s ugly when you’re deprived of your customs.”

Sociologist Florencia Blanco Esmoris says mate dates back to use among indigenous people during the Spanish conquest. She describes it as “a channel of communication that allows dialogue and social connection.”

She noted that Argentines are developing creative ways to drink mate together, doing so in online gatherings.

Dardo García, a vendor in Buenos Aires, said he is selling a greater number of small cups for consuming mate, since more people are reluctant to share the big cups.