Many of us have seen our feelings confirmed about the economic, social and personal effects caused by the pandemic on the islands of Lanzarote and La Graciosa. It comforts me to know that eight out of ten of my countrymen would be willing to be vaccinated immediately as soon as they have the possibility to do so, according to the Island Issues Survey carried out by the Cabildo of Lanzarote.
The opinion study is a monograph on the effects that the coronavirus pandemic is having on the inhabitants of both islands. It is encouraging to corroborate that flat-earth thinking is residual in these Atlantic latitudes, and that we have an efficient public health system in the Canary Islands. This is attested to by the people who had contact with health services for reasons related to the coronavirus, since 85% rate the care received as very good/good.
It should be emphasized that concern about immigration and citizen insecurity are irrelevant. That says a lot about my fellow citizens of Lanzarote and Graciosa when it comes to not being dragged down by the repetitive refrain from the extreme right and some sectors of the Canarian Coalition, who coincide in pointing to the poor and immigrant as our great problem. Hate and fear do not permeate us, fortunately.
The survey reveals an evidence: almost all respondents (96%) are very or quite concerned about the situation of COVID-19 that is being experienced in Lanzarote and elsewhere, both in terms of the effects on health and on the economy and employment. In fact, eight out of ten respondents believe that the current economic situation in Lanzarote and La Graciosa is bad or very bad. It is logical, after the closure of tourism.
As expected, following the coronavirus and in order of importance, the three issues that concern the population are of an economic and labor nature. Thus, economic problems, unemployment and the tourism crisis are mentioned. These are three ways of referring to the same collective concern, since our dependence on tourism is almost total and our development model lacks alternatives. However, I harbor the expectation of the reopening of tourism before the end of spring.
This is the panorama, so while we continue to behave responsibly to defeat the pandemic, we have reasons to await the moment of economic recovery with hope. The commitment of the European Union, Pedro Sánchez's Spain Can Plan, Ángel Víctor Torres's Canary Islands Reactivation Plan and the Plan that comes from the Cabildo of Lanzarote at the hands of María Dolores Corujo are solid invitations to look at our future with confidence.
Fco. Manuel Fajardo Palarea, senator of the PSOE for Lanzarote and La Graciosa.
