Search for oxygen refill new routine for Peruvians

In middle of what was once a sandy desert, on outskirts of Peru’s capital, a new routine has emerged for many of residents of densely populated city of Villa El Salvor. With lives of friends or relatives at stake because of new coronavirus, people are spending ir days searching for a place to buy oxygen, preferably without having to spend ir life savings.

Oxygen is crucial to save lives of those critically ill with COVID-19. And in this city of more than 508,000 people, it has become a scarce commodity just as a second wave of coronavirus infections hits South American country. “It’s so s to see that all people go through this,” Noa Torres, 34, said Thursday outside a facility that sells oxygen.

People are carrying empty oxygen tanks, bought in black market, around town, hoping to find a place to fill m.  hunt for oxygen is in part result of government’s lack of preparedness to handle pandemic. Most of hospitals in Peru do not have equipment necessary to produce oxygen.

desperation for oxygen has led some businesses to triple its price, forcing many to plunder ir savings or sell belongings to afford it. But while some are price gauging, ors are stepping in to help.

In Villa El Salvor, a group of 13 friends, among m engineers, economists and lawyers, pooled ir savings to recently open an oxygen plant. At ir facility, a cubic meter of oxygen sells for $4.10, while or places charge up to $13.69 for same amount.

young entrepreneurs say y are not trying to profit off of COVID-19, y just want to help most vulnerable population in Lima. ir plant has drawn people from all corners of city since it opened, with lemon green tanks lined up on sidewalk.

“Everyone has gone through disease,” Juan Carlos Urbano, 45, said referring to his family while he waited to refill a tank outside entrepreneurs’ facility. “Right now, re are four who are ill and one who is in serious condition and in need of oxygen. Most of families I think are in this situation.” Peru has tallied more than 1 million cases and over 39,000 deaths of COVID-19, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Image: Associated Press